My Story

I’m David Cluff, and life has taken me on a journey I never expected.

At six years old, I woke up to complete silence. The night before, I could hear—then suddenly, nothing. We later learned I was born with CMV (Cytomegalovirus), which caused my hearing loss. My family searched for answers, and after months of doctor visits, we found the cochlear implant. Six months later, I received my first implant, and I’ll never forget the moment I heard my footsteps again.

When I was 13, I began the process of getting a second cochlear implant. Just before surgery, doctors discovered something unusual—I had almost no fluid in my ears for balance. They warned me that moving forward with the implant could mean losing my ability to walk. It was a terrifying choice, but I felt a deep sense of calm. I went through with the surgery and walked out of the hospital the next day. What should have been a medical impossibility turned into a personal mystery. I later became part of a research study to help doctors understand how I’ve adapted without balance fluid.

As I navigated my hearing loss, another part of my identity remained hidden. Around age 12, I realized I wasn’t like other boys—I liked guys. But growing up in a religious environment, I convinced myself it was something to overcome. I kept busy with school, church, and my hearing journey, pushing those feelings aside.

For years, I did everything I thought I was supposed to. I built a life that looked right from the outside, but deep down, I knew I wasn’t being true to myself. In 2021, after years of internal struggle, I finally came out as gay. It was one of the hardest and most freeing moments of my life.

Since then, I’ve been rediscovering who I am, embracing both the challenges and joys that come with it. Through it all, I’ve learned that life doesn’t always go as planned, but sometimes, the unexpected paths lead to the most meaningful places.

Now, I’m living life as a single gay dad, taking it one day at a time.