Feeling Socially Awkward in the Hearing World

DeafTim said:
Hmmm, maybe I'll just keep my mouth shut and have a friendly smile on my face. People can see my HA in plain sight b/c my hair is really short. So sick and tired of saying "repeat that" and "excuse me?" Im profound deaf in my right ear and they dont get it,either. So frustrated!!!
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That could backfire on you too though, some people think that just because we have hearing aids we are "cured" and have no excuse to not hear.
 
I think honestly, ASL should be a mandatory language to learn in mainstream. I mean over here in Cali kids in 4th or up grade are taking Spanish as a requirement! I think ASL should be an option for a 2nd language.
 
whatdidyousay! said:
When I lived Calif. I would go back east to visit my mom, and I told her would be coming out and asked her to buy a phone I hear on. And I told mom I would made sure to have my bathtub have a safety handle for her. I kept my words but when I got to my mom's house she did not have a phone for me! I was really hurt, my mom still did not get it after all these years!
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I am wondering if you have not explain to her about what kind of a phone you want to hear on like volume in the phone receiver and where to get the special phone for you. She might have some confusion on where to look for it. If your mom is hearing. That would be difficult for her to find the right phone for you. I don't know if she knew about California Hearing Society where she can get the special phone for you or how about the Bell Company that might have special phone. :dunno:

As for the bathtub for her to have safety handle which is great for her so that she does not fall and hurt herself. You might not know where to get safety handle from a hardware store or other places if you can find the right one. :P

So it does have some misunderstanding on both of you on where both of you have a hard time looking, but not getting it anywhere. Right? :hmm:
 
I don't remember being awkward but maybe I was without knowing it. The only thing that I don't like was religion people trying to cure me by praying and touching me. :ugh:

I might be awkward for different reasons that the hearing people tried to look down on me. But that is about it. :(
 
ladysolitary85 said:
That could backfire on you too though, some people think that just because we have hearing aids we are "cured" and have no excuse to not hear.
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I so know what you're talking about. Big difference from real hearing and fake hearing. We must wear device to hear sounds and voices.

Last night at pizza parlor,a young beautiful cashier was real nice to me b/c she knew right away I read lips. I was smiling whole time and she liked that. Make communication easy. But I had people talked to me like I was cured b.c they see my HA. So,I would just shut them off and go my way. So R-U-D-E,ya know. That makes my blood boil.

I believe some people refuse to know you're deaf so they wont treat you special. Ya know,make your life easier. Am I right?
 
Bebonang said:
I don't remember being awkward but maybe I was without knowing it. The only thing that I don't like was religion people trying to cure me by praying and touching me. :ugh:

I might be awkward for different reasons that the hearing people tried to look down on me. But that is about it. :(
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depend on feeling scared something hearing people stared to look me I don't like stared on my face, reason cultures perceptive hard to feeling tough I know!
 
I'm still waiting for my Academy Award for the best actress in social settings with hearing people...although, lately my skills have been rusty. I pretended to be a part of the group to fit in...yet I always felt so alienated. In high school I joined clubs and was active. I had a large circle of " friends"...yet I always struggled to stay afloat.

I was born deaf but I didn't become Deaf until I was 15. Most of you know the story of how one day it dawned on me that I spent an entire week without being spoken to by anyone at the school...and I simply walked out. It was a life-changing experience
 
I notice people awkward to embrassment social network I am brave on awkward straight to communication to value to ASL and SEE, but I know on bit on nervous I Notice few people deaf shy reason lots of social area community I am experience :)
 
I simply don't give folks my time or my money if they cannot respect me. I am Deaf. I've been deaf for some time and will be for the rest of my life. If they want my money (and you know they do) they need to treat me with respect, show consideration, a little empathy, and most of all, they need to have patience. I hate walking out of a store without the items I had intended to purchase. I've done it and will probably do it again.

Perhaps I have been lucky with friends, but I cannot think of one hearing friend that has had a hard time with my hearing loss. I was very much HOH in high school and am completely deaf (with a CI) now. Even before I got the CI, I had no trouble with them.

Maybe it's my attitude, maybe I have been extremely lucky, I don't know. I count my blessings that I have such great friends and family. (especially my sister, I would not be here today if not for her. If not for our age difference folks might think us twins).
 
DeafTim said:
It is tough to be deaf and hearing impaired. I know all about it b/c I am livin' the life. I get so frustrated when I cannot understand sports broadcasters fully. Pisses me off.

Today, K-Mart cashier was saying something to me as I entered the lane. I pointed to my hearing aid as the customer in front of me looked on. The cashier gave me an idea nothing important. She was shocked that I have a voice. She was like a deer in headlights. :lol: I know my life would be so different if I wasnt deaf. I can only live for God.
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Well, your life might have been different had you not been deaf, but that doesn't mean that it would necessarily have been better.
 
ladysolitary85 said:
I get that too sometimes, or people looking at me like "wow, you must be really smart if you can talk. But oh, since your hearing is decreasing does that mean you wont be able to talk the same???"

.......... really people?? come on now.

Its just amazing with who actually sticks around you, and who leaves when a life-changing experience happens to you.
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facepalm.jpg

oi
 
jillio said:
Well, your life might have been different had you not been deaf, but that doesn't mean that it would necessarily have been better.
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Well, you're right. Deaf or hearing, I could still end up living under a bridge. :lol:

Now, lets say Im hearing, I'd have a lot more choices and options in life. Better social life as well.
 
DeafTim said:
Well, you're right. Deaf or hearing, I could still end up living under a bridge. :lol:

Now, lets say Im hearing, I'd have a lot more choices and options in life. Better social life as well.
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Maybe, maybe not. I know plenty of hearing people that don't have a lot of choices and don't have an active social life. You are only limited if you allow yourself to be.

Not to say I don't get that there are some very real obstacles that society places in the way of the D/deaf when it comes to opportunity. I get that completely. But still, if you are focused on what your deafness takes away from you, it would be best to change your focus.
 
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ladysolitary85 said:
I think honestly, ASL should be a mandatory language to learn in mainstream. I mean over here in Cali kids in 4th or up grade are taking Spanish as a requirement! I think ASL should be an option for a 2nd language.
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Particularly since it is the third largest language used in both America and Canada.

America = English, Spanish, ASL
Canada = English, French, ASL/LSQ
 
Not to mention, there are soooo many reasons and benefits from learning sign language. I was furious looking in my college's catalog to see sign was not with the language group but just simply "sign". Seriously??? Its a LANGUAGE. grrr... ok I've let out some steam lol
 
ladysolitary85 said:
Not to mention, there are soooo many reasons and benefits from learning sign language. I was furious looking in my college's catalog to see sign was not with the language group but just simply "sign". Seriously??? Its a LANGUAGE. grrr... ok I've let out some steam lol
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True! It's not 'American Sign' it's 'American Sign LANGUAGE!!!' Uggh, sorry, having an intolerant of hearie day. :giggle:
 
Oh wait correction! they have it under Journalism! Can anyone explain to me how ASL is part of journalism and not with the other language groups???
 
Wirelessly posted

Seriously? Thats pretty special, and not in a good way. Someone got hit with the stupid stick.... Hard...
 
I am dead serious! I was sooo mad circling the language building then going off to find in the journalism building where its supposed to be. Really??? can someone else explain this to me???
 
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