Hi MoniDew,
"Deaf" refers to Deaf culture/ASL, Deaf heritage and perception of pride and strength in such - as OPPOSED to "something is wrong with me" or lack of alleged "normalcy"
"deaf" refers to the physical or audiological status of one's ears
now, a question for xsuperchick:
Will you translate your siggy for me? I don't know/understand all of the signs (yet...)