SATA
ENTRY TYPE: new
WORK TITLE: Extraordinary Jordyn and Her Bionic Ears
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: https://www.drjasminesimmons.com/
CITY:
STATE:
COUNTRY:
NATIONALITY:
LAST VOLUME:
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Female.
EDUCATION:University of Akron, bachelor’s degree; Central Michigan University, doctorate of audiology, 2020.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer and audiologist.
WRITINGS
SIDELIGHTS
Jasmine Simmons is a writer and audiologist. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron and a doctorate of audiology from Central Michigan University. Simmons was born with sensorineural hearing loss, and her hearing was partially restored when she received a cochlear implant at the age of two. A few years later, doctors found that she had a progressive eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa, and after that, she was diagnosed with Usher syndrome, a condition that affects balance, hearing, and vision. In an interview with Arielle Dance, contributor to the Diversability website, Simmons discussed having Usher syndrome, stating: “It has taught me patience, kindness, and much more. My disability has led me to meet some of my closest friends and opened doors for opportunities that I would’ve never had if I did not have Usher syndrome.”
Simmons presents a character with similar conditions and a similar upbeat attitude Extraordinary Jordyn and Her Bionic Ears, her first book. The volume, a picture book for young children, finds protagonist Jordyn enduring bullying from new classmate Ben. Ben makes fun of her cochlear implants, which saddens Jordyn. Her parents attempt to lift her spirits, and Jordyn disregards Ben’s initial cruelty. Soon, the two kids bond over their interest in planets. The book features illustrations by Caryn Marie. A Kirkus Reviews critic offered a favorable assessment, suggesting: “Jordyn exhibits an emotional vulnerability and joy for life that all young children should relate to.” The same critic called the book “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, championing the power of positive outlook.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, April 19, 2024, review of Extraordinary Jordyn and Her Bionic Ears.
ONLINE
Central Michigan University website, https://www.cmich.edu/ (February 22, 2024), Kate Hodgkins, article about author.
Diversability, https://mydiversability.com/ (January 6, 2024), Arielle Dance, author interview.
Dr. Jasmine Simmons website, https://www.drjasminesimmons.com/ (October 24, 2024).
Hey there! I am Dr. Jasmine Simmons. I was born with profound sensorineural hearing loss and received my cochlear implant when I was just two years old. At the age of seven, I was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive eye condition, which subsequently led to my Usher syndrome diagnosis. Usher syndrome profoundly affects hearing, vision, and balance. Despite these significant challenges, I successfully graduated from the University of Akron (Go Zips!) and later earned my Doctorate of Audiology from Central Michigan University in May 2020. My life took a dramatic turn in February 2023 when I was officially diagnosed as legally blind. This marked a pivotal moment, leading to the creation of "Extraordinary Jordyn and her Bionic Ears." This book represents the very first installment of the Usher syndrome series.
QUOTED: "It has taught me patience, kindness, and much more. My disability has led me to meet some of my closest friends and opened doors for opportunities that I would've never had if I did not have Usher syndrome."
Member Spotlight: Jasmine Simmons Finds Gratitude Amidst Disability
Jasmine Simmons, a Black woman, sitting on a bench, looking to the side and holding a white cane. Courtesy of Jasmine Simmons.
By Dr. Arielle Dance, Writer at Diversability
“I am grateful for Usher syndrome. It has its challenges, however, I wouldn't change a thing.”
- Dr. Jasmine Simmons
Jasmine Simmons, Au.D. (she/her) is an audiologist living with Usher Syndrome. Dr. Simmons’ journey to diagnosis has been a rollercoaster. She was born with sensorineural hearing loss but was misdiagnosed at birth. As a toddler, she received a cochlear implant which allows her to hear. As a child, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa though Usher Syndrome was mentioned due to the vision and hearing loss. It was not for another 20 years that she would receive the official Usher Syndrome diagnosis through genetic testing. (Her type (1D) of Usher Syndrome is considered rare.) Around the same time, she was deemed legally blind.
Despite the rollercoaster of emotions that come with hearing and vision loss, Dr. Simmons feels grateful for Usher Syndrome. Having a clear diagnosis and acknowledgment of her disability has helped to establish her life’s path. “It has taught me patience, kindness, and much more. My disability has led me to meet some of my closest friends and opened doors for opportunities that I would've never had if I did not have Usher syndrome.”
Amidst this rollercoaster of emotions are feelings of fear of daily life as a disabled person. She fears not being able to see the faces of future children or move safely around the world. Before being diagnosed as legally blind, Dr. Simmons did not view herself as disabled. She acknowledged that she had hearing loss but being legally blind seemed to make the world crash around her. She was surrounded by negative thoughts and worry.
From these experiences of fear and gratitude, Dr. Simmons learned to take life day by day. There is power in knowing that she has no control over the future but she can control her thoughts and actions. She loves to discover what she is capable of knowing that no one else can control that. She describes herself as a go-getter who will grind hard until she achieves her goals– this is something she loves about herself.
As a Black queer disabled woman, Dr. Simmons loves spending time with her partner and family. She is also extremely proud of her next journey as a children’s book author. Her diagnosis has moved her to write a series of children’s books about living as a legally blind person. In addition, she is a big fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars football team. She finds the most joy on the beach enjoying the crash of the waves. “It makes me grateful that I can see the waves and hear the waves crashing. Seeing water makes my soul very happy.”
Acknowledgment: Thank you to Jasmine Simmons, a member of the Diversability Leadership Collective, for sharing your experiences with us.
About the Author:
Arielle Dance is the Writer at Diversability who identifies as a Black queer woman with disabilities. A Ph.D. in Mind-Body Medicine, Arielle is published on multiple online platforms and has a children’s book, Dearest One, which focuses on mindfulness and grief.
The inspirational journey from student to audiologist, advocate and author
February 22, 2024 | Author: Kate Hodgkins
After being born with profound sensorineural hearing loss, Dr. Jasmine Simmons received her cochlear implant when she was two years old. Later at the age of seven, she was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a progressive eye condition, which ultimately led to a diagnosis of Usher Syndrome, a diagnosis that involves hearing and vision loss. Despite these diagnoses, Dr. Simmons never wanted her disability to hold her back. Her dream was to be an audiologist, so that’s exactly what she did!
Dr. Simmons graduated from the University of Akron with her bachelor’s degree and then earned her Doctorate of Audiology in May 2020 from Central Michigan University. Dr. Simmons truly values the ability to help others with similar conditions to hers but also realized more recently that there is a gap in the information about disability and accessibility. As a result, she took this opportunity to spread awareness about disabilities through motivational speaking.
Beyond her roles as an audiologist and advocate, Dr. Simmons has added another title to her repertoire: children's book author. Her debut work, 'Extraordinary Jordyn and her Bionic Ears,' draws inspiration from a young girl she met during her own cochlear implant journey. Through this tale, Dr. Simmons illustrates that while children with disabilities face challenges, embracing their uniqueness empowers them to overcome obstacles and realize their dreams.
In addition to her determination, Central Michigan University played a pivotal role in Dr. Simmons's journey, with steadfast support from her professors fueling her success.
Extraordinary Jordyn and her Bionic Ears is now available! For hardback, you can purchase the book at Dr. Simmons' website. For paperback, you can purchase the book on Amazon!
QUOTED: "Jordyn exhibits an emotional vulnerability and joy for life that all young children should relate to."
"bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, championing the power of positive outlook."
Simmons, Jasmine EXTRAORDINARY JORDYN AND HER BIONIC EARS (Children's) $15.99 1, 27 ISBN: 9798988707417
A young girl with hearing loss overcomes prejudice to make a new friend in Simmons' picture book.
Jordyn loves school and is excited to learn that a new boy, Ben, will be joining her class. She leaves a welcome gift on his desk, but, before school starts, Jordyn encounters him on the playground and he scorns her cochlear implants--her "bionic ears." Jordyn is upset, but her parents reassure her that she is extraordinary and that her hearing loss is a part of that. Jordyn persists in being friendly to Ben, and they bond over a shared love of planets and the solar system. Simmons, herself a deafblind audiologist, relates Jordyn's story in simple language that captures the age of the protagonists ("I sure hope he likes my cool pencil"). The narrative, while predictable, is effective in conveying its message of inclusiveness. Marie's illustrations employ bright, digitally rendered images to capture the world of primary-school kids. The notion that difference and impairment are aspects of individuality is reflected not only in Jordyn's unique perspective (as in the exquisite two-page spread showing her asleep in a bubble of silence that dissipates when she wakes and puts her bionic ears on) but also in the culturally diverse range of characters--Jordyn is depicted as Black; Ben is a white redhead; the teacher, Mrs. Youssef, presents as Muslim. Throughout, Jordyn exhibits an emotional vulnerability and joy for life that all young children should relate to.
Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, championing the power of positive outlook.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Source Citation
Source Citation
MLA 9th Edition APA 7th Edition Chicago 17th Edition Harvard
"Simmons, Jasmine: EXTRAORDINARY JORDYN AND HER BIONIC EARS." Kirkus Reviews, 19 Apr. 2024, p. NA. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A791877130/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=0c0b1040. Accessed 12 Sept. 2024.