Deaf Character Speaks Out
Diverse characters in literature are needed to reflect the reality of the world. Stories show the variety of human endeavor to bring us together to pass on knowledge, share wisdom, issue warnings, and reduce stress. The world is not what we saw on TV during the 1950s where every child grew up in a white middle class home with a mother and father like on “Leave it to Beaver” or “Make Room for Daddy.” Characters in literature must reflect the reality of the real world. And in that world, we have people with disabilities, different sexual orientations, and racial and cultural variants. Good literature must reflect this.
Since I lost my hearing to a virus, I’ve become very sensitive to the problems confronting the deaf and hard-of-hearing. I want my readers to know the challenges the deaf encounter daily and the sense of isolation we feel in a hearing world. That is why I created Leila Marvi who first appears in Koolura and the Mystery at Camp Saddleback and reprises her role in Koolura and the Mayans. I took some time and interviewed Leila about her role in the Koolura Series and the effect deafness has on her life.
Can you tell us a little about yourself? My name is Leila Marvi. I live in Marin County, just north of San Francisco, and I’m thirteen years old. Before my parents forced me to go to summer camp at Camp Saddleback my life was lonely and boring. At Saddleback I met Koolura Akopyan and everything changed. Since I’m near deaf, it’s really hard for me to understand what people say to me. I guess that’s why I’m lonely. But Koolura, she’s something else. When I met her, she didn’t know any American Sign Language (ASL), but by the end of the summer, she was fluent and I had a best friend to chat with.
What is your role in the story? I met Koolura in Koolura and the Mystery at Camp Saddleback. After returning to my home in Marin County, Koolura dropped by often to see me. Now Koolura doesn’t live close. She and her dad live in the Los Angeles area. Since Koolura has these incredible psychic powers she can teleport anywhere she chooses. So she drops by often.
Anyway, during Christmas break she and I teleported to Oaxaca, Mexico for her dad’s wedding. My job was to hang out with her and keep her company for the few days between our arrival time and the wedding. Who knew those few days would become the most exciting event that ever happened to me. It even topped the excitement I had at Camp Saddleback.
While exploring a Mayan archeological dig (I love Mayan culture) Koolura and I found a weird device that transported us two thousand years back in time. What happened next still feels like a dream or perhaps nightmare. (I almost died a few times. If it weren’t for Koolura I wouldn’t be here for this interview.) Read Koolura and the Mayans to find out what happens.
What is your favorite hobby? My parents are archeologists, so I’m really interested in their work, especially anything that has to do with the Mayans. My mom even taught me their language. And let me tell you, it’s a tough language to lip read. I especially enjoy the stories about the Maya moon goddess. Later in the book I found out who this goddess really was.
What is the challenge you’re trying to overcome during the story? My biggest challenge in life is communication. Deafness can be very lonely. Koolura makes things bearable because she took the time and effort to learn ASL. She also sets up conversations with others making it easier for me to understand by having people form a circle so I can read everyone’s lips. She’s so considerate.
In Koolura and the Mayans I’m kidnapped by Mayan tribesmen that have decided to sacrifice me to their gods. Let me tell you, I was so close to becoming shish-kabob. But the biggest challenge was dealing with the Aquarians, invaders from another star system many light years from Earth. Most of the people on board the ship were teenagers. Since they have very white skin and blonde hair, Koolura and I call them Vanilla Teens. We had to find out if they were friends or foe?
If you could make one wish, what would it be? I would love to have one psychic power. Koolura can heal the sick with a touch, she can move objects with her mind, and she can teleport from one place to another. In Koolura and the Mayans she learns that she can actually travel through time and space. How cool is that? All I would like is the power of telekinesis.
Anyway, read Koolura and the Mayans to find out if my wish comes true.
Catch you between the covers (of the book).
Thanks so much, Leila Marvi. Understanding people from diverse backgrounds, being it racial, ethnic, or people with disabilities provides readers the opportunity to walk in their shoes for a bit and develop an understanding of how life affects them and the issues they bring to the table to share with all of us.
The Koolura Series is currently on sale on my WEBSITE. If you order Koolura and the Mystery at Camp Saddleback and Koolura and the Mayans for $20.00 I’ll send you a third book, The Legend of Koolura, for FREE. Just mail your check to:
Michael Thal
17914 Magnolia Blvd. #301
Encino, CA 91316
The Koolura series will be mailed to you immediately without postage or handling fees. You can also order The Legend of Koolura, Koolura and the Mystery at Camp Saddleback, and Koolura and the Mayans on Amazon, but it’s more expensive.
The Koolura Series are really great stories.
WOW! Michael, I admire that you took a hardship, losing your hearing, and did not allow it to define you. The “normal” “nice” portrayed in the 1950s and 60s was detrimental and of course inaccurate.
As Leila said in her interview, communication is difficult, especially during the Pandemic with everyone covering up their faces with masks. It’s Deaf Man’s Hell.