The Girl Who Heard Colors
Christy never thought of herself as a normal girl, even though she had normal interests, a normal appearance, and lived with a normal family. What was completely different about her was that she could see colors whenever she read or heard sounds. For example, when she heard a bell, she saw silver, and when a dog barked, she saw red. This was because Christy had synesthesia, which meant her senses were completely mixed up. Christy believed that her synesthesia was something that made her completely different than anyone else she knew. While normal people saw colors, heard sounds, or tasted flavors, synesthetes like Christy experienced something so much more. Christy’s world was filled with a brightness that came from all directions. But it didn’t stop at seeing colors whenever she heard sounds. She also heard sounds when she saw certain shapes, saw light coming from people who walked by, felt music like it was a beating heart, and saw temperatures. It had always been like this. She heard it, she saw it. She saw it, she heard it. She felt it, she saw it. She heard it, she felt it. And as you can imagine, while it was an amazing way to look at the world, it sometimes made her life rather difficult. As a child, Christy had often wondered why she saw and heard things differently than other kids. She would get lost in the color of her favorite numbers, the shapes that would create a symphony in her ears, and the way she could remember the world around her through an array of colors and sounds. It wasn't until she was 8 years old that she realized what was happening. It was on a beautiful summer day, as Christy played in her backyard with a few of her friends. In the corner of the yard, she saw an overturned tricycle, and immediately was overwhelmed with a familiar hum. Her friends noticed and immediately rushed to her side, asking her what happened. Christy stuttered, trying to explain that the shape of the tricycle had created a sound in her ears, and that she could feel the vibrations of the hum against her skin. Her friends were instantly fascinated, questioning her about the many wonders of her brain. Christy was elated, no longer feeling different or alone for having this unique ability. She explained how shapes triggered sounds, and how numbers made her see bright, beautiful colors. While they asked many questions, they also created an opportunity for her to discover more and more about the complexities of her synesthesia. That day, Christy went home feeling at ease, knowing that she wasn't the only one with strange abilities. She now had an understanding of the gifts her brain had to offer. She felt special, unique, and most of all, brave for embracing her synesthetic powers.When Christy was a child, words like “synesthesia” were not very common, and even though she thought her synesthesia made her special, she always had trouble explaining to others what she saw and how she sensed things. Nobody really believed her, of course. When she told the other kids at school about her condition, they found it quite odd and thought she was just making things up, because her experiences didn’t sound like anything they had heard before. Because she was unable to describe what it was like, Christy felt like an outcast among her peers. She enjoyed drawing and writing her own stories and poetry, and when she showed her work to other people, they would give her plenty of compliments, such as “Wow, what a vivid imagination!” and “Such poetic language!”, and while Christy was flattered by what people thought of her artwork and writing, she didn’t want to tell them that her talents were based on her ability to hear colors and see sounds, because if she did, they would laugh at her. Instead, she just said a simple “Thanks.” When Christy was feeling a certain emotion, she could see it, too, as her skin would appear a certain color. If she was mad, she could see the heat coming off her own body in the form of a silver color. If she was happy, she could see her skin glow a golden color. She could also see other people’s emotions in the form of colors when she walked by them. She noticed how their emotions bounced off them like waves. She wished she could explain it better, but how could she explain a sensation that was caused by a mixing of sensations? She could only say that she didn’t know how her senses were mixed up, but the sensations they caused were beautiful. Aside from art and writing, Christy also enjoyed music, because listening to it made her see the most colors and shapes than any other sound. She could feel the music, too. When she touched a piano note, she could see thousands of blue crystals that felt cold on her skin. When she strummed a guitar chord, she could see warm colors that also made the top of her head warm. When she felt a drumbeat, it tingled the bicep in one of her arms and she could see bright colors in the form of circles. Christy thought it was cool that she could hear, see, and feel music all at the same time. That’s why she took up learning different instruments, especially the guitar and piano. As Christy grew older, her understanding of her synesthesia deepened. She sought solace and expression in her art, writing, and music, using them as mediums to capture the intricate dance of colors and sounds that enveloped her. Each stroke of her brush, each word she penned, and each note she played became a gateway to a world where the boundaries between senses blurred.Her parents, although they couldn't fully grasp the intricacies of her synesthetic experiences, always encouraged her creative pursuits. They recognized her talent and marveled at the way she effortlessly translated her unique perception of the world into mesmerizing works of art.In school, Christy continued to face challenges. While her classmates began to appreciate her artistic abilities, they still struggled to comprehend the depths of her synesthesia. To them, she was an enigma, a girl who saw and heard things that existed beyond their understanding.However, Christy's passion for the arts became her refuge. Through her creations, she found solace, connection, and a means to communicate the vibrant symphony of her senses with the world. She poured her heart and soul into her art, infusing it with the kaleidoscope of emotions and sensations that thrived within her.One day, as Christy entered her teenage years, an opportunity presented itself. The school announced a talent show, and Christy decided it was the perfect platform to share her synesthetic experiences with her peers. She would showcase her art, writing, and music, inviting them into her world of colors and sounds.The day of the talent show arrived, and Christy took center stage. The hall was filled with anticipation as she held a paintbrush in one hand and a guitar in the other. She began to speak, her voice trembling with a mixture of nerves and excitement."Today, I want to invite you all into my world, a world where colors sing and sounds paint. Through my art, writing, and music, I hope to share a glimpse of what it's like to experience life through the lens of synesthesia."With each stroke of her brush, vibrant hues exploded onto the canvas, mirroring the melodies that echoed in her ears. Her writing flowed like a river, weaving together intricate descriptions of her synesthetic encounters. And as she strummed her guitar, the audience was transported to a realm where melodies danced in a riot of colors.As Christy reached the finale of her performance, a hush fell over the crowd. She closed her eyes, allowing the music to guide her fingers across the strings, while her synesthesia transformed the sound into an explosion of colors and sensations. The stage was enveloped in a breathtaking display of lights and sounds, an ethereal symphony that could be seen and felt.When the final note faded, the audience erupted into thunderous applause. Christy stood there in awe, tears of joy streaming down her face. In that moment, she realized that she had not only shared her synesthesia with others but had also touched their hearts and minds.From that day forward, Christy's journey continued, and she became an advocate for understanding and acceptance. She found a community of fellow synesthetes who shared her experiences, and together, they celebrated the kaleidoscope of senses that painted their lives.Christy's synesthesia was no longer a burden or a secret to be kept—it was a gift, a window into a world where colors harmonized with sounds, where shapes whispered melodies, and where emotions danced in vibrant hues. Through her art, her writing, and her music, Christy would forever paint the world in a symphony of colors, allowing others to glimpse the beauty that resides beyond the boundaries of ordinary perception.
SnowyZoe97