Something I'm thinking about....

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dogmom

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as I learn more and take on the Deaf culture perspective, I find myself explaining more to others based on what I have learned and my experience.
this week I came across someone comparing being born deaf to other "illness" or "disability" that just happens. I wrote that from a cultural perspective, being born deaf is not an illness or sad "condition" , and that it is a linguistic and cultural difference, not a problem -the problem is hearing people's attitudes or stereotypes.

Then I was with someone who is a teacher working with deaf kids. I find that sometimes in talking I may use some signs; and sometimes if I want to be sure I understood something I will repeat with the sign if I know it. Since I count on my fingers, I have been doing the no. 3 the Deaf way for some years. So she asked me if I was hearing impaired. I said, no, I'm hoh and re-learning ASL.
 
dogmom said:
as I learn more and take on the Deaf culture perspective, I find myself explaining more to others based on what I have learned and my experience.
this week I came across someone comparing being born deaf to other "illness" or "disability" that just happens. I wrote that from a cultural perspective, being born deaf is not an illness or sad "condition" , and that it is a linguistic and cultural difference, not a problem -the problem is hearing people's attitudes or stereotypes.

Then I was with someone who is a teacher working with deaf kids. I find that sometimes in talking I may use some signs; and sometimes if I want to be sure I understood something I will repeat with the sign if I know it. Since I count on my fingers, I have been doing the no. 3 the Deaf way for some years. So she asked me if I was hearing impaired. I said, no, I'm hoh and re-learning ASL.
Click to expand...

That's good you take the time to explain that. In life there is not much that upsets me more than that assumption.
 
Goos for you, dogmom! Keep up the good work in educating others regarding the linquistic and cultural differences of deafness. We can always use one more to spread the word!

Thank you for your efforts.:ty:
 
I must be dense today. When I first read it, I did not understand, but upon reading it again for a 2nd and 3rd time, I now do understand. Thank you dogmom for all your efforts.
 
I like the way you've put this, dogmom. There was a recent thread in which someone referred to a child being born deaf as not being a "healthy" child and it truly jarred me to think that some do perceive deafness as sickness.
 
no problem, :ty: Kristina, Speedy and Grendel
I appreciate everyone's patience in reading my post, which was kinda clumsy...I was thinking and seeing it in my head as I was typing:wave:
 
this week I came across someone comparing being born deaf to other "illness" or "disability" that just happens. I wrote that from a cultural perspective, being born deaf is not an illness or sad "condition" , and that it is a linguistic and cultural difference, not a problem -the problem is hearing people's attitudes or stereotypes.
Click to expand...
Actually, did you know that Disabilty Rights people argue the same thing.....that it's not nesacrily their disabilty or condition that causes the problem...rather it's people's attitudes and man made barriers?
 
:wave: DD - yes, you are right. I've been involved in the disability rights movement and one of the biggest sentiments is along the lines of: attitude is the biggest disability, like you mention. Now I personally see myself as having a learning disability as opposed to "learning difference" - BUT that generally in itself is not the problem. Other people's egos cause problems.
the nth Degree catalog has some good humorous/sarcastic shirts along these lines-
 
I'm having a hard time explaining this when I get the funeral face. I suppose that it'll get easier with time. Lack of energy is a problem for me right now.
 
dogmom said:
as I learn more and take on the Deaf culture perspective, I find myself explaining more to others based on what I have learned and my experience.
this week I came across someone comparing being born deaf to other "illness" or "disability" that just happens. I wrote that from a cultural perspective, being born deaf is not an illness or sad "condition" , and that it is a linguistic and cultural difference, not a problem -the problem is hearing people's attitudes or stereotypes.

Then I was with someone who is a teacher working with deaf kids. I find that sometimes in talking I may use some signs; and sometimes if I want to be sure I understood something I will repeat with the sign if I know it. Since I count on my fingers, I have been doing the no. 3 the Deaf way for some years. So she asked me if I was hearing impaired. I said, no, I'm hoh and re-learning ASL.
Click to expand...
You should had ask the person was kind of illness they were born with to made such a dumb statement! I had people treat me like I am retarded
when they realize I am HOH! When they hear me talk they really think I very retarded as I have speech defect.
 
yeah, that "funeral face" <great phrase> is a downer - and an opportunity. But sometimes it is hard to find the energy to always be re-explaining about something...
 
whatdidyousay!
yeah, I've had people respond to me as if I had a severe/profound cognitive disability, when they find out about my LD<learning disability>. Or sometimes in combination with them hearing my speech, which does have an "affect" to it.
I have found that so many people are so VERY un-aware of anything outside their own little box!
 
sallylou said:
I'm having a hard time explaining this when I get the funeral face. I suppose that it'll get easier with time. Lack of energy is a problem for me right now.
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The funeral face always makes me laugh uncontrollably. That leaves them wondering!:lol:
 
dogmom

Just trying to get an idea of your position.
You stated: "being born deaf is not an illness or a sad condition.
Can you state your position of being born deaf as a disability?
 
eah, I've had people respond to me as if I had a severe/profound cognitive disability, when they find out about my LD<learning disability>. Or sometimes in combination with them hearing my speech, which does have an "affect" to it.
Click to expand...
Me TOO!!!! Then again, I thought it was very well known in my school class that I was LD and a guy I was talking to who was in my class, said he had no clue I'm LD!
Guess it was just the dumbasses who thought that.
 
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