Iris Miller Stetson

Although I have been afflicted since childhood with a speech problem, I worked as a professional singer for many years on the stage of grand opera and flamenco. I went on to learn American Sign Language and have been fortunate to use this skill, for my personal growth and within the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community.

When it comes to disabilities, or to simply feeling different from what society deems as "normal," I consider myself something of an expert. A lifetime of experience has taught me that, though a serious disability can be an enormous struggle, it is also a gift.

It is not easy to overcome overwhelming obstacles but I believe that many of us can turn this around once we see that our greatest hardship might actually be our greatest blessing. I wrote my book, The Voice of Acceptance, to educate others about this and share my journey with anyone who is struggling with challenges that seem insurmountable. I sincerely hope that the lessons I learned can help anyone find the path they are searching for -- the path that leads to a lasting happiness and peace.