Mute?

I have a question to ask...
If someone can hear, clearly, but can't speak and communicates with ASL,
Would it be possible for him or her to be accepted in to Deaf culture?
Is it rude to even ask that?

What good is hearing if nobody takes the time to talk to me?
That's my life. I can hear lot's of people speaking ABOUT me, rarely TO me, and they never have the patience for me to answer back. I guess it takes too long to write down my responses. My own mother barely says a word to me when I see her. I'm mute, not catatonic, it's possible to converse with me.

People assume I can't hear, just because I can't speak. That doesn't bother me at all.
It's how weird or rude they act when they think I can't hear that drives me away.
They think I'm stupid. Or I get looked at as if I'm something to be pitied.
Some people, if they notice I reacted to a sound, suddenly treat me like I'm some sort of fake.
I don't like most the people I interact with in public.

I have a "friend" or two, but none of them feels like taking the time to learn ASL. I have to carry a pen everywhere, and it's all limited to short meaningless chatter. I have so much on my mind, and nobody takes the time to actually communicate with me. It hurts. If I'm with more than one friend, forget it, I'm not even there.

As I said...
What good is being able to hear when nobody talks to me anyway?
The only thing I can't do is speak.
It'd be nice to spent my time with people where my lack of voice isn't even noticeable.

I have a friend who is the same way...and yes, she is accepted within the deaf community. She can even hear the birds singing, but cannot speak clearly. And I have a neighbor that suffered a stroke and the right side of his body is paralyzed. he is in a wheel chair. He can hear, but cannot speak. So he at all times takes his laptop with him and converses that way...I was talking to him today and told him I would teach him ASL if he was interested..and he was....otherwise, I know he feels pretty isolated and becomes depressed....

So don't let this get you down too far...where there is a will, there is a way...

I am certain you can be accepted. Don't despair.

I hope so. I wouldn't know where to start.


I've become so fearful of people over the years.

Just to be clear, you can't speak or you choose not to?

Asl would be good for you and befriending deaf would be great for you. There are lots. Of deaf who can't hear or talk so you have it better right there.b
Just seems like you need to know you are not alone. Where do you live? Maybe there are places to meet deaf near you

Well, ASL, as with the deaf community, is your voice. I can't imagine why you wouldn't be welcomed.

Laura

SilentSigns said:

Just to be clear, you can't speak or you choose not to?

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I cant speak.

Why cant you speak? What wrong? Can you tell us why? Do you have some reason...physical reason? Is this psychological or physical? We dont know anything other than you cant speak. Please take the time and explain to your readers more about why you cant speak? You say you have a lot to say. I bet you could write a beautiful book for many to listen. How did you communicate growing up? What about school? How did you communicate in school? How old are you now? Are you student? Did you have problems all your life not speaking? When did this happen for you? Can you speak through poems, song writing, drawing, painting? Sometimes those things speak louder than words or even sign language.

deafgam said:

Why cant you speak? What wrong? Can you tell us why? Do you have some reason...physical reason? Is this psychological or physical? We dont know anything other than you cant speak. Please take the time and explain to your readers more about why you cant speak? You say you have a lot to say. I bet you could write a beautiful book for many to listen. How did you communicate growing up? What about school? How did you communicate in school? How old are you now? Are you student? Did you have problems all your life not speaking? When did this happen for you? Can you speak through poems, song writing, drawing, painting? Sometimes those things speak louder than words or even sign language.

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Don't pry. My past is very dark, I don't share it. Don't take it personally.
It's not a matter of the time it takes. It's a matter of digging those memories out and dealing with them again.


I am in my twenties. I have never spoken.
I didn't really communicate much at all growing up.
I am not currently a student, but I may change that.

anonymousandvoiceless said:

Don't pry. My past is very dark, I don't share it. Don't take it personally. It's not a matter of the time it takes. It's a matter of digging those memories out and dealing with them again. I am in my twenties. I have never spoken. I didn't really communicate much at all growing up. I am not currently a student, but I may change that.

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Pry? Excuse me, but i was trying to get to know you better. Dark Side? Well, you are a mystery. You just made me think you became a different person than the person you were born to be. But, whatever you have to do, ok. Good luck to you. I hope you find your new way of life better than the one you left.

There is a disability called apraxia where kids cannot speak. I find it very fishy that you claim to have apraxia but you never learned Sign.....they usually suggest exposure to ASL. There's even a program at St. Rita's for apraxia kids.

and the term mute is very archaic.............Just saying. Are you perhaps a character from a soap opera who was kidnapped and or abused?

No. I'm not a character.

Archaic? What else would you prefer I call it?

Your sudden aggression towards me and mocking me has answered my question. Thank you.

Im beginning to think this young man may have a personality disorder and he isnt happy with his self. Therefore he created a new person and wants to join a new culture and try to fit in better.

Not at all

Yeah, sad to say it looks like a pretty obvious fake after the reaction to a little questioning.

deafgam said:

Im beginning to think this young man may have a personality disorder and he isnt happy with his self. Therefore he created a new person and wants to join a new culture and try to fit in better.

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Just so you know we eat fakers for LUNCH!

i see. I am sincere. I'm just not ready to share, and explain.
If that means you think I am fake, then so be it.