Logan Laabs thrives in the spotlight. His smile radiates as he scans the roaring audience. Grinning from ear to ear, he realizes his accomplishments in theater.

Logan remembers when he was a kid who loved to sing and dance. His thoughts swirl as he embraces his growth as an actor. As he poses on stage, he begins to acknowledge the hardships and confusing times he went through. 

“I was slowly losing the ability to hear out of my left ear.” 

A couple years go by, Logan and his family consult with doctors. They come to the conclusion that he is losing hearing because of nerve damage. 

He feels sick to his stomach. 

He worries about his future music career.  Will it affect his learning?  Will he feel unbalanced? Will he be able to perform in future shows? 

Four years pass. 

It is October of Logan’s senior year. His fear of losing his ability to sing is long gone; however, Logan still remembers the anxiety and stress. 

Losing hearing in one ear is not easy on a kid like him. He bottles his emotions and feels afraid to speak up. He remembers feeling different than the other kids in drama. 

Now as a senior Logan describes how he is not ashamed of the loss of hearing in his left ear. 

“I let my deafness in one ear to be my superpower. I am unique and that’s okay.” 

Starring in his last musical, Logan sings with power and joy. He offers living proof that medical conditions do not define you. They shape you into a stronger person. 

He gets occasional headaches, but that does not limit his focus on stage.

Instead of feeling sorry for himself, Logan embraces differences. 

He will finish his last musical in Pickard with pride.