Every one of us is different in some way but for those of us who are more 'different,' we have to put more effort into convincing the less different that we can do the same thing as they can... just differently.

I learned to speak first, and then to sign. I have never really known what it was like to hear, so I can't compare hearing aids to normal hearing.

When you’re up for an award at the Oscars, try as you might, it’s hard to concentrate on the show.

When it comes down to it, it’s about who you know, and who’s a fan. It’s about whether you’re the right age, whether you’re hot or not, whether the studio is into you or not.

I’m gonna be unemployed when people read this. Ha.

I guess not being able to hear just made me adventurous and daring. And in most cases, that didn’t make my parents very happy with me.

When I learned to sign and speak at the same time, the whole world opened up to me. That’s the beauty of encouraging kids who are deaf to use whatever it takes to communicate.

Hollywood embraced me in the late ’80s because there was a good project I was in and it was different. Nowadays, it’s about corporate mentality, box office, youth.

When I was 13, I told Henry Winkler I wanted to act. He said, Do it and don’t let anyone stand in your way. His validation just made it all the more true. I haven’t stopped thanking him since.

It seems we’re always in transition and that it’s more about trends than it is about what’s meaningful.