neighborhood: virginia highlands
length of time in atlanta: two years
faceclaim: hunter parrish
trigger warnings: â a little bit of ableism.
Falcon Morden was born the middle child to Redd Morden, a well-known podiatrist, and his wife, Lizanne. Falcon was not like his older sister. Where Sparrow would wake up from her naps when Lizanne opened the door, Falcon remained asleep. The couple had laughed about it, thinking that their little boy just liked to sleep. It wasnât until Falcon failed to even look at his father, who was screaming after burning himself on the stove, that the couple had realized that something was actually wrong. Lizanne took Falcon to a pediatrician, who confirmed her fear that their perfect little boy was not actually perfect.
Falcon was deaf. Not completely, mind you. His hearing loss fell on the âsevereâ side of the spectrum, but was likely to get worse with time.
Living in Rochester, New York, the family had ample resources available. Falcon was enrolled in an intervention program. He attended the Rochester School for the Deaf, where he lived for most of the week. It was perfect.
But, âout of sight, out of mindâ held true for the Mordens. Redd and Lizanne poured their focus into their youngest son, Hawke, who was showing promise as a Menâs Figure Skater. Falcon was the last consideration. After all, he was away for school. He only came home on weekends and holidays. But when he did come home, he was alone.
The family didnât bother to learn American Sign Language, feeling that if he used it at school, that was fine, but they would speak in the house.
When Falcon was thirteen, his parents divorced. As it would turn out, Lizanne had cheated on her husband, and their youngest child hadnât been fathered by Redd. Redd won custody of all three children. However, with the divorce costing most of his savings, heâd needed to pull Falcon from boarding school and enroll him in a public high school.
Public school was a hostile place for a young Deaf teenager who didnât speak. He was trailed by an interpreter. He was made fun of for his attempts to talk and speak for himself. After all, he didnât want to look lame in front of his peers. Where heâd been popular at the school for the Deaf, he was an absolute outcast in public school. Aâs turned to Câs and Dâs. Heâd ended up skirting by and graduating with sheer luck and with the tireless help of his English teacher. Sheâd taken him aside and tutored him in every subject, and had cried like a baby as she watched him take his diploma.
After graduating high school, Falcon extended the middle finger to his father, and took off to attend Gallaudet University for college. It was there that he excelled. He didnât need an interpreter. He didnât need to demand captions on a movie. He didnât miss announcements. He ended up graduating Summa Cum Laude, with a degree in Education and a minor in American History. He went on to Graduate school, fueled by an intense desire to normalize Deafness. The classroom would be a high-profile spot for Falcon. He couldnât change the perception of Deaf people from behind a desk, or with a mop in his hand. He needed to show that Deaf people could do anything, even teaching hearing students.
It took a few months for Falcon to get a job offer. He had a heavy disadvantage compared to other applicants. But finally, after a few strongly-worded letters to school administrators, Falcon Morden was offered a job at VA High School in Atlanta. He accepted a full-time job teaching American History and American Sign Language.
expressive. compassionate. eager to help.
Falcon has two Huskies, Bruiser and Nudge.
Falcon has hearing aids, but never wears them. When he does, itâs mostly for dramatic effect.
