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Breaking the Silence
Jo Milne had already lived a lifetime surrounded by silence, profoundly deaf from birth, when she began to lose her sight. Just before turning thirty, Jo was diagnosed with Usher Syndrome, a rare genetic and progressive condition that will one day rob her of her sight altogether.In 2014 she made a life-changing decision to undergo major surgery. She had cochlear implants fitted allowing her to hear for the first time. Every moment of Jo's days since the operation has become a journey of discovery.Over 12 million people watched the poignant video of the moment that 39 year old Jo Milne's cochlear implants were switched on allowing her to hear for the first time in her life. Breaking the Silence is a remarkable and beautifully written memoir that will serve as an inspiration to everyone who reads it. By turns, heart-breaking and heart-warming, it is the incredibly uplifting life-story of a woman who refused to give up hope and always lives life with a smile upon her face.Watch Jo hear for the first time
- GenresNonfictionBiography
272 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2015
3 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 8, 2015
Having read this book,I actually had to make notes before I could write a review as there were certain points I really wanted to make.
Firstly, this is a book that everyone should read without exception! At the moment, this and one other book are vying for my personal book of the year and this could very well be the winner.
I have never quite found a book that for me,I would want to give out on World book night but this is it. I will be nominating it for next years set and trying to get enough people to vote for it to get it out there.
Jo's memories of playing out as a girl really brought back to me my 70's childhood .A life full of the same experiences except that Jo was without her hearing. She describes on P12 the visits to have her hearing tested and this was also something I can relate to, having had hearing problems as a child. I too remember the heavy headphones but I put pegs into a board not marbles into a jar for my tests. I too also remember thinking that I had no idea what I was !istening for or to. I was lucky and I still count myself lucky now, that my mum was told,my lack of hearing was because I had water on my ears and that I would grow out of it.Thank goodness they were right! Having had music as such a big thing in my life ,I read with such pleasure about Jo finally bring able to hear and to hear music.
She talks about how she was so badly bullied at school and all because she was deaf! I hope that anyone currently doing this to another person or who has been guilty of this, reads this and vows to stop now or never to do it again.
Jo also talks of the time when she worked in a hospital library and this gave me pleasure because I also have done this. Having also worked in a music and Video library I have also helped deaf and b!Ind people and hope that I always treated them respectfully.
Jo talks about all the different work she has done over the years with Sense and RADAR and her current work for The Hearing Fund UK and demonstrates that , as always, disability isn't something that should hold a person back. This is a great book and I am still getting over reading it.
Firstly, this is a book that everyone should read without exception! At the moment, this and one other book are vying for my personal book of the year and this could very well be the winner.
I have never quite found a book that for me,I would want to give out on World book night but this is it. I will be nominating it for next years set and trying to get enough people to vote for it to get it out there.
Jo's memories of playing out as a girl really brought back to me my 70's childhood .A life full of the same experiences except that Jo was without her hearing. She describes on P12 the visits to have her hearing tested and this was also something I can relate to, having had hearing problems as a child. I too remember the heavy headphones but I put pegs into a board not marbles into a jar for my tests. I too also remember thinking that I had no idea what I was !istening for or to. I was lucky and I still count myself lucky now, that my mum was told,my lack of hearing was because I had water on my ears and that I would grow out of it.Thank goodness they were right! Having had music as such a big thing in my life ,I read with such pleasure about Jo finally bring able to hear and to hear music.
She talks about how she was so badly bullied at school and all because she was deaf! I hope that anyone currently doing this to another person or who has been guilty of this, reads this and vows to stop now or never to do it again.
Jo also talks of the time when she worked in a hospital library and this gave me pleasure because I also have done this. Having also worked in a music and Video library I have also helped deaf and b!Ind people and hope that I always treated them respectfully.
Jo talks about all the different work she has done over the years with Sense and RADAR and her current work for The Hearing Fund UK and demonstrates that , as always, disability isn't something that should hold a person back. This is a great book and I am still getting over reading it.
August 10, 2023
Absolutely loved this book. What a beautiful story of a strong positive woman.
December 30, 2023
What a woman! Full of life, ambition and passion in the face of Ushers Syndrome. Seriously, nothing has held Jo back. I particularly liked the chapter about her Guide Dog (no surprises there).
September 20, 2023
Great read!!
July 6, 2023
Took me a little bit to fall into this, but I’m so glad I kept reading, the author has led a fascinating life and tells it well. Fascinating that born deaf, the author speaks with a Geordie accent. Afterwards, watched some YouTube clips of her hearing for the first time, it is gorgeous.
Audio by Colleen Prendagast was a good fit.
Audio by Colleen Prendagast was a good fit.
April 21, 2019
One of the most beautifully moving books I have ever read. A truly inspirational story that will remain with me.
July 6, 2019
A really beautiful and moving read
July 28, 2018
An incredible read! Full review to follow soon.
November 13, 2016
Personal and moving story of life as a deaf person who is also going blind and has amazing surgery to try and enable her to hear. I found the book interesting and thought provoking. Jo is honest without feeling sorry for herself. It gave insight into difficulties getting to use a cane, a guide dog, and issues with services for deaf but not deaf-blind people. I found the way she just dealt with everything was inspirational and was very happy she was able to have the surgery. I remember seeing info about the surgery on the news and wondered if that spoil the book, but it did not because these are her own words, not a newsy journalist viewpoint. I won't reveal more in case people are not aware of her story. Highly recommended.
September 21, 2015
A fascinating story which has been in the hands of a good editor. It seems almost a miracle that the author, deaf from birth, learned to speak with a perfect Geordie accent (through tireless speech therapy sessions with her grandfather). She then has cochlear implants much later in life.
March 5, 2017
This was an insightful, engrossing read. It made me imagine what it must be/have been like growing up with her disabilities and I liked the fact that the playlist of the first music tracks she heard was included at the end of the book.
May 2, 2016
Very inspiring and heart warming. I would like to meet the author and give her a personal congratulatory hug.
If only all of us could be as persevering as Jo we would all be part of a better world.
If only all of us could be as persevering as Jo we would all be part of a better world.
April 25, 2017
An incredible insight to the life of a deaf woman. Then on to her life as a deaf-blind woman and her inspiring story of being able to hear for the first time in 40 years.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews