Southern, that is something I was really looking for. A honest answer from a hearing person who is willing to tell the truth that most hearing people won't!!
What you wrote has helped me to see the hearing people's point of view better. My goal is to somehow break the barriers between hearing people's world and deaf people's world, so there may be more acceptance, understanding, kindness and compassion for both.
My deaf hubby (born hearing but became deaf age 10 months old by Spinal Mengitis) was raised in a hearing family. He studied the hearing people a lot and knew their traits. He commented to me that hearing people rely on sounds most. This was new to me! I learned something!
My deaf (adopted) mom was raised in a hearing family, she was born hearing but became deaf, due to Scarlet Fever, when she was six years old. I will try to re-write what she said, "I had a dream that a lion was clawing my hair, I woke up and saw my mother (hearing) combing my hair. She began to speak and moved her lips but no sound came out! I said, "Momma, what did you say, I cannot hear you!" Momma began to cry, got up, and ran out of my bedroom." My mother began to realize her world went totally upside down as she discovered her new deafness.
My deaf (adopted) dad born hearing but became deaf, due to Spinal Mengitis at age of 3 years old, was raised in a hearing family too. His hearing family was so occupied with radio, they did not pay attention to dad. My dad, as a young boy, became bored and he decided to distract his family for more attention by becoming the clown of the family! He realized he made his family laugh, he got what he wanted! Attention! So, that influenced my dad's character for the rest of his life. He knows how to make people laugh, including me!
So, Southern, my main goal is to somehow help the hearing people to realize and see that deaf people are human beings like them, no difference, except that we cannot hear. Thanks for sharing your honest opinion with me, even though some others may not agree with yours.
clwdeaf
