Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacob Linky.
Hi Jacob, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was born in Accra, Ghana, where I worked as a child slave and endured abuse. This abuse caused me to become deaf. I spent my days fishing on a boat with other children. At around age 8, I was rescued by an agency in Accra and brought to an orphanage. I was later adopted by a white family who lived in Indiana. The wife was an audiologist. I lived with them until I turned 18 and finished my sophomore year of high school. During high school, I fell in love with fitness; I enjoyed working out and wrestled for three years.
My adopted parents wanted to control all my actions and my future. They only wanted me to communicate using my voice and sought to limit my knowledge. They did not allow me access to technology or other forms of communication. However, I was able to learn American Sign Language at school, which opened my mind to other possibilities. I became determined to learn more, which hurt our relationship.
At 18, I moved in with a teacher from my school. There, I was allowed to use a phone, develop friendships, and having transcended the confines of systemic indoctrination, I now possess a lucid understanding of the veridical world. I find solace in the rectitude of my chosen path, conducting my life with unwavering justice and devoid of remorse. In the span of a mere annum, my progression has been substantial, yet the trajectory ahead remains extensive. Observing my contemporaries, I note a dichotomy: some have awakened to confront the exigencies of reality, while others remain in a state of perpetual dormancy. It is my sobering realization that certain individuals may never attain this awakening.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been many roadblocks along the way. The biggest hurdle is related to my hearing. I wear cochlear implants and can hear and communicate using my voice under the right conditions. I also use American Sign Language. However, I learned English after coming to America and before I received my implants. For some people, my voice and accent are difficult to understand. They assume I will not be able to perform the jobs I have applied for. I want a job that aligns with my goals, but many people assume I can’t work. I have a driver’s license, live independently, and am capable of pursuing higher-level careers. Unfortunately, I have been turned down for jobs that don’t require advanced skills because people are hesitant to take a chance on someone who is Deaf.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
One thing that sets me apart from others is my hardheaded determination! When I set a goal, I follow through on the steps to achieve it. This idea is easiest to see in my work ethic in the gym. I plan every meal around nutrients that will allow me to build muscle. I work out with an intensity that is unique. I have big dreams. I want to live a life that will allow me to travel and make decisions free from the confines of a 9 to 5 job. I’m still searching for that opportunity. I’m trying to develop a network of people who can support me in reaching my dreams.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
First, I am still on my journey and learning! I am searching for the right path and opportunity. I have learned to be independent. Because I’m Deaf, people often assume I can’t do things for myself, but I can. I have come to understand that life is not always fair, but I get up every single day and keep my head held high.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @savagephysque; @linkyjacob
