The gift of hearing....do you cherish it?

[jillio]

36 Under 36 2009: Jake Spinowitz, 18

About Us

Smart kid.

Wow! You finally found an example of altruism. Was that an accident?

 

[Mrs Bucket]

But plenty of negative things have been said about deafness, in this thread and others, and it all comes from the same place.

The same source too as well.

Seriously kokonut, you need to analyse yourself each time you leave a self-depreciating comment to a member in this community.

Keep in mind, you may become profoundly Deaf and when this does happen, you will need to rely on the Deaf Community for support. With the Deaf Community comes Deaf Culture as our identity.

We celebrate and preserve everything important to us. Please understand why we as a collective jump together to defend our culture and our community. You may label it as jumping on the bandwagon but it is not so.

It is preservation of our morals and values. You see this Deaf-World is not just ours. It is for our future generations. We cannot allow outsiders to rip our Deaf-World for their own self-depreciating satisfaction after all those years of eugenics and audism.

Yes, we experience discrimination as a whole - hearing and Deaf. However keep in mind audism is just as worse when it is happening right now in this thread.

Please respect our Deaf-World, you may question our language but please stop disrespecting our Deaf-World and our language, ASL.

It is the least you can do. A singular person making so much effort downplaying our culture and our Deaf-World in this collective group.

Kokonut, this is called audism. Please refrain from doing it anymore. You as a person, are toxic to us.

We would be happy to educate you however you constantly challenge us with a closed-mind. I refuse to waste my time educating an audist with a closed-mind when I can use my time educating 10 open-minded people and knowing mission has been accomplished.

 

[deafskeptic]

The same source too as well.

Seriously kokonut, you need to analyse yourself each time you leave a self-depreciating comment to a member in this community.

Keep in mind, you may become profoundly Deaf and when this does happen, you will need to rely on the Deaf Community for support. With the Deaf Community comes Deaf Culture as our identity.

We celebrate and preserve everything important to us. Please understand why we as a collective jump together to defend our culture and our community. You may label it as jumping on the bandwagon but it is not so.

It is preservation of our morals and values. You see this Deaf-World is not just ours. It is for our future generations. We cannot allow outsiders to rip our Deaf-World for their own self-depreciating satisfaction after all those years of eugenics and audism.

Yes, we experience discrimination as a whole - hearing and Deaf. However keep in mind audism is just as worse when it is happening right now in this thread.

Please respect our Deaf-World, you may question our language but please stop disrespecting our Deaf-World and our language, ASL.

It is the least you can do. A singular person making so much effort downplaying our culture and our Deaf-World in this collective group.

Kokonut, this is called audism. Please refrain from doing it anymore. You as a person, are toxic to us.

We would be happy to educate you however you constantly challenge us with a closed-mind. I refuse to waste my time educating an audist with a closed-mind when I can use my time educating 10 open-minded people and knowing mission has been accomplished.

 

[shel90]

The same source too as well.

Seriously kokonut, you need to analyse yourself each time you leave a self-depreciating comment to a member in this community.

Keep in mind, you may become profoundly Deaf and when this does happen, you will need to rely on the Deaf Community for support. With the Deaf Community comes Deaf Culture as our identity.

We celebrate and preserve everything important to us. Please understand why we as a collective jump together to defend our culture and our community. You may label it as jumping on the bandwagon but it is not so.

It is preservation of our morals and values. You see this Deaf-World is not just ours. It is for our future generations. We cannot allow outsiders to rip our Deaf-World for their own self-depreciating satisfaction after all those years of eugenics and audism.

Yes, we experience discrimination as a whole - hearing and Deaf. However keep in mind audism is just as worse when it is happening right now in this thread.

Please respect our Deaf-World, you may question our language but please stop disrespecting our Deaf-World and our language, ASL.

It is the least you can do. A singular person making so much effort downplaying our culture and our Deaf-World in this collective group.

Kokonut, this is called audism. Please refrain from doing it anymore. You as a person, are toxic to us.

We would be happy to educate you however you constantly challenge us with a closed-mind. I refuse to waste my time educating an audist with a closed-mind when I can use my time educating 10 open-minded people and knowing mission has been accomplished.

I just love you, Mrs. Bucket! GREAT posting!

 

[Dixie]

The same source too as well.

Seriously kokonut, you need to analyse yourself each time you leave a self-depreciating comment to a member in this community.

Keep in mind, you may become profoundly Deaf and when this does happen, you will need to rely on the Deaf Community for support. With the Deaf Community comes Deaf Culture as our identity.

We celebrate and preserve everything important to us. Please understand why we as a collective jump together to defend our culture and our community. You may label it as jumping on the bandwagon but it is not so.

It is preservation of our morals and values. You see this Deaf-World is not just ours. It is for our future generations. We cannot allow outsiders to rip our Deaf-World for their own self-depreciating satisfaction after all those years of eugenics and audism.

Yes, we experience discrimination as a whole - hearing and Deaf. However keep in mind audism is just as worse when it is happening right now in this thread.

Please respect our Deaf-World, you may question our language but please stop disrespecting our Deaf-World and our language, ASL.

It is the least you can do. A singular person making so much effort downplaying our culture and our Deaf-World in this collective group.

Kokonut, this is called audism. Please refrain from doing it anymore. You as a person, are toxic to us.

We would be happy to educate you however you constantly challenge us with a closed-mind. I refuse to waste my time educating an audist with a closed-mind when I can use my time educating 10 open-minded people and knowing mission has been accomplished.

+10,000,000 for Mrs. Bucket.

 

[jillio]

The same source too as well.

Seriously kokonut, you need to analyse yourself each time you leave a self-depreciating comment to a member in this community.

Keep in mind, you may become profoundly Deaf and when this does happen, you will need to rely on the Deaf Community for support. With the Deaf Community comes Deaf Culture as our identity.

We celebrate and preserve everything important to us. Please understand why we as a collective jump together to defend our culture and our community. You may label it as jumping on the bandwagon but it is not so.

It is preservation of our morals and values. You see this Deaf-World is not just ours. It is for our future generations. We cannot allow outsiders to rip our Deaf-World for their own self-depreciating satisfaction after all those years of eugenics and audism.

Yes, we experience discrimination as a whole - hearing and Deaf. However keep in mind audism is just as worse when it is happening right now in this thread.

Please respect our Deaf-World, you may question our language but please stop disrespecting our Deaf-World and our language, ASL.

It is the least you can do. A singular person making so much effort downplaying our culture and our Deaf-World in this collective group.

Kokonut, this is called audism. Please refrain from doing it anymore. You as a person, are toxic to us.

We would be happy to educate you however you constantly challenge us with a closed-mind. I refuse to waste my time educating an audist with a closed-mind when I can use my time educating 10 open-minded people and knowing mission has been accomplished.

Once again, an excellent and well stated post!

 

[somedeafdudefromPNW]

The same source too as well.

Seriously kokonut, you need to analyse yourself each time you leave a self-depreciating comment to a member in this community.

Keep in mind, you may become profoundly Deaf and when this does happen, you will need to rely on the Deaf Community for support. With the Deaf Community comes Deaf Culture as our identity.

We celebrate and preserve everything important to us. Please understand why we as a collective jump together to defend our culture and our community. You may label it as jumping on the bandwagon but it is not so.

It is preservation of our morals and values. You see this Deaf-World is not just ours. It is for our future generations. We cannot allow outsiders to rip our Deaf-World for their own self-depreciating satisfaction after all those years of eugenics and audism.

Yes, we experience discrimination as a whole - hearing and Deaf. However keep in mind audism is just as worse when it is happening right now in this thread.

Please respect our Deaf-World, you may question our language but please stop disrespecting our Deaf-World and our language, ASL.

It is the least you can do. A singular person making so much effort downplaying our culture and our Deaf-World in this collective group.

Kokonut, this is called audism. Please refrain from doing it anymore. You as a person, are toxic to us.

We would be happy to educate you however you constantly challenge us with a closed-mind. I refuse to waste my time educating an audist with a closed-mind when I can use my time educating 10 open-minded people and knowing mission has been accomplished.

If you ever visit B.C., I will get you all the salmons you ever wanted... either that or you can opt for some West Coast special brownies.

 

[kokonut]

The same source too as well.

Seriously kokonut, you need to analyse yourself each time you leave a self-depreciating comment to a member in this community.

Keep in mind, you may become profoundly Deaf and when this does happen, you will need to rely on the Deaf Community for support. With the Deaf Community comes Deaf Culture as our identity.

We celebrate and preserve everything important to us. Please understand why we as a collective jump together to defend our culture and our community. You may label it as jumping on the bandwagon but it is not so.

It is preservation of our morals and values. You see this Deaf-World is not just ours. It is for our future generations. We cannot allow outsiders to rip our Deaf-World for their own self-depreciating satisfaction after all those years of eugenics and audism.

Yes, we experience discrimination as a whole - hearing and Deaf. However keep in mind audism is just as worse when it is happening right now in this thread.

Please respect our Deaf-World, you may question our language but please stop disrespecting our Deaf-World and our language, ASL.

It is the least you can do. A singular person making so much effort downplaying our culture and our Deaf-World in this collective group.

Kokonut, this is called audism. Please refrain from doing it anymore. You as a person, are toxic to us.

We would be happy to educate you however you constantly challenge us with a closed-mind. I refuse to waste my time educating an audist with a closed-mind when I can use my time educating 10 open-minded people and knowing mission has been accomplished.

Let me respond in kind because there are some things you may not realize.

I have stated repeatedly that the gift of hearing is not to be taken for granted and that our health and condition, while they may be ideal at the moment, we're all temporarily abled. I've said it here and I've said it numerous times elsewhere. And then there's this incredible technology and biotechnology development occuring as we speak. What will it be like 10 to 20 years from now? What will the odds be of having a built-in miniaturized computer so small it fits unnoticed into a pair of glasses that can easily and quickly take the spoken word and have it instantly captioned in real time as if the words are floating in front of you? It's being done as we speak. What about other kinds of technology to help? How about a portable, real-time speech to Braille device? That's already being worked on. The captioning technology is merging with other services in more ways than one. We can only speculate on what this may look like 5 to 10 years from now. And also, what about biotechnology and stem cells when it comes to nerve deafness in 10 to 20 years from now? So, I'm not worried about my current deafness into the future.

Secondly, I support all kinds of communication access and modes of communication. ALL. I do not pick and chose. This is a tailored need for each and every individual based on their background, ability and preferences. This is what I fight and support for rather than ascribe to a single ideology.

Thirdly, I see people use audism as a crutch and even abuse it to such an extent. If you really want examples of audism, go to Peru, go to other countries that have little or virtually no support for deaf people in terms of education, jobs, and communication access. We're lucky to be in the United States where laws, services, and technological access are to the benefit of hard of hearing and deaf people. Most people here seem to forget that easily and take for granted what we have now and the fact that it continues to improve and expand. Thanks to technology as the biggest equalizer.

What I see is your matter of taking a disagreement a bit too personal and in the process twist things around. I say it's all a matter of perspective here. I disagree with what you say but I don't get angry if someone disagrees with me as a matter of opinion use that as an excuse to personally attack people. Either you can come away agreeing to disagree or let your own emotion stew from within. The latter isn't a healthy thing.

Good health and enjoy your day, Ma'am.

 

[sallylou]

Thank you, Mrs. Bucket, for your wise words. It's great to have you back!

 

[somedeafdudefromPNW]

I logged out just to see your response:

Thirdly, I see people use audism as a crutch and even abuse it to such an extent. If you really want examples of audism, go to Peru, go to other countries that have little or virtually no support for deaf people in terms of education, jobs, and communication access. We're lucky to be in the United States where laws, services, and technological access are to the benefit of hard of hearing and deaf people. Most people here seem to forget that easily and take for granted what we have now and the fact that it continues to improve and expand. Thanks to technology as the biggest equalizer.

Have you been to Peru, Chile or Argentina? The Chileans and Peruvians have better access for Deaf people than we do in the States and in Canada. The immigrants i have known that moved from those countries are disgusted that we have all of this wealth, yet we don't provide the same level of access.

Oh, and work slavery in the Deaf population? It's already happening in Canada and the United States. No communication access... still happening here. We, as a whole, are not much better off than other parts of the world. Yes, we have guidelines and so on but the majority are actually unaware of them due to being under-educated.

Hell, in Chile, they have interpreters for TV shows-- we only get that LSQ and the Parliament in Canada, and presidential speeches/ASL in the States. So before citing other countries, maybe actually try talking to those residents first? They can give you an inside look. Going off of those websites you have found won't help much.

Addendum: And I don't call it audism. I just call it discrimination, because audism and linguicism are too tightly intertwined for most people to tell the difference.

 

[sallylou]

No matter how much technology exists, people will have the same needs. We need to be accepted, we need connection to other people and we need community. That's what Mrs. Bucket is talking about. All of the technology in the world means nothing if we don't have our basic needs met.

 

[Mrs Bucket]

Kokonut,

What you are doing is tiptoeing around the three levels of audism.

1. Metaphysical Audism
2. Individual Audism
3. Systemic Audism

Your perspective is very skewed because our first language is ASL and how can we reap the technology benefits when we barely understand the jargons?

English is your language, I respect that. ASL is ours. Please stop proselytizing your redundant love for the hearing world here. It's stagnant.

 

[shel90]

Let me respond in kind because there are some things you may not realize.

I have stated repeatedly that the gift of hearing is not to be taken for granted and that our health and condition, while they may be ideal at the moment, we're all temporarily abled. I've said it here and I've said it numerous times elsewhere. And then there's this incredible technology and biotechnology development occuring as we speak. What will it be like 10 to 20 years from now? What will the odds be of having a built-in miniaturized computer so small it fits unnoticed into a pair of glasses that can easily and quickly take the spoken word and have it instantly captioned in real time as if the words are floating in front of you? It's being done as we speak. What about other kinds of technology to help? How about a portable, real-time speech to Braille device? That's already being worked on. The captioning technology is merging with other services in more ways than one. We can only speculate on what this may look like 5 to 10 years from now. And also, what about biotechnology and stem cells when it comes to nerve deafness in 10 to 20 years from now? So, I'm not worried about my current deafness into the future.

Secondly, I support all kinds of communication access and modes of communication. ALL. I do not pick and chose. This is a tailored need for each and every individual based on their background, ability and preferences. This is what I fight and support for rather than ascribe to a single ideology.

Thirdly, I see people use audism as a crutch and even abuse it to such an extent. If you really want examples of audism, go to Peru, go to other countries that have little or virtually no support for deaf people in terms of education, jobs, and communication access. We're lucky to be in the United States where laws, services, and technological access are to the benefit of hard of hearing and deaf people. Most people here seem to forget that easily and take for granted what we have now and the fact that it continues to improve and expand. Thanks to technology as the biggest equalizer.

What I see is your matter of taking a disagreement a bit too personal and in the process twist things around. I say it's all a matter of perspective here. I disagree with what you say but I don't get angry if someone disagrees with me as a matter of opinion use that as an excuse to personally attack people. Either you can come away agreeing to disagree or let your own emotion stew from within. The latter isn't a healthy thing.

Good health and enjoy your day, Ma'am.

Who is taking their "gift" of hearing granted? This seems like the wrong place to preach to people about taking their hearing for granted.

 

[kokonut]

I logged out just to see your response:



Have you been to Peru, Chile or Argentina? The Chileans and Peruvians have better access for Deaf people than we do in the States and in Canada. The immigrants i have known that moved from those countries are disgusted that we have all of this wealth, yet we don't provide the same level of access.

Oh, and work slavery in the Deaf population? It's already happening in Canada and the United States. No communication access... still happening here. We, as a whole, are not much better off than other parts of the world. Yes, we have guidelines and so on but the majority are actually unaware of them due to being under-educated.

Hell, in Chile, they have interpreters for TV shows-- we only get that LSQ and the Parliament in Canada, and presidential speeches/ASL in the States. So before citing other countries, maybe actually try talking to those residents first? They can give you an inside look. Going off of those websites you have found won't help much.

Addendum: And I don't call it audism. I just call it discrimination, because audism and linguicism are too tightly intertwined for most people to tell the difference.

Not in the rural areas. If you're lucky to be near a major city or town then you'd have those access to service. But even in those cities it could be a crapshoot as well.

Persons with Disabilities

The law prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities and provides for their protection, care, rehabilitation, and security. The law also mandates that public spaces be free of barriers and accessible to persons with disabilities. The law provides for the appointment of a disability rights specialist in the ombudsman's office; the government, however, devoted limited resources to enforcement and training, and many persons with physical disabilities remained economically and socially marginalized. The government made little effort to ensure access to public buildings. There were no interpreters for the deaf in government offices and no access to recordings or braille for the blind.

2008 Human Rights Report: Peru

Don't argue me, argue with what WFD has to say about access issues in a variety of countries.
http://www.wfdeaf.org/pdf/WFD Newsletter Feb 2009.pdf

Again, count your lucky stars if you live in North America while resources and technology continue to improve.

 

[kokonut]

Kokonut,

What you are doing is tiptoeing around the three levels of audism.

1. Metaphysical Audism
2. Individual Audism
3. Systemic Audism

Your perspective is very skewed because our first language is ASL and how can we reap the technology benefits when we barely understand the jargons?

English is your language, I respect that. ASL is ours. Please stop proselytizing your redundant love for the hearing world here. It's stagnant.

Cherishing with what hearing a person has left has nothing to do with audism. It's about not taking for granted the gift of hearing, especially when technology allows that precious access. And many are thankful for that, else you'd would see them wear hearing aids or cochlear implants. Yet you want to make this into a full blown audism deal? Let go of the angst.

 

[kokonut]

Who is taking their "gift" of hearing granted? This seems like the wrong place to preach to people about taking their hearing for granted.

No. I was responding to Mrs Bucket about how I may become completely deaf someday but that idea wasn't lost on me. Hence, my not taking my hearing for granted but as a gift to be cherished today.

 

[Mrs Bucket]

Cherishing with what hearing a person has left has nothing to do with audism. It's about not taking for granted the gift of hearing, especially when technology allows that precious access. And many are thankful for that, else you'd would see them wear hearing aids or cochlear implants. Yet you want to make this into a full blown audism deal? Let go of the angst.

I am talking about your whole attitude here, your approach to us and I find it very easy you are quick to ask me to let go of my "angst" as you call it.

What angst are you speaking of? Tiredness, I have sure. Yesterday was a fantastic day celebrating International Sign Language Rights as the faculty and our peers wore black to symbolize sign language oppression. I was one of the featured guest speakers. Hands flew in the air, joy and passion was the emotions we all felt, got home late and deliriously happy.

Angst, I got to ask where you get that from? I see an audist when he/she does audism left and right, denies doing it and decides to twist things around.

I actually support bilingualism. ASL and English.

You want to bring in CIs? A parent with a small baby wants to CI his/her child. I cannot tell the parent what to do. I can advocate bilingualism. I would encourage the parent to use ASL for better communication. If the parent decides to CI their child, I would support their decision. It's about choices and supporting them in their choices as well.

I do not advocate audism especially when it is coming from those who know they are doing it and justifying it in the name of better living.

 

[kokonut]

I am talking about your whole attitude here, your approach to us and I find it very easy you are quick to ask me to let go of my "angst" as you call it.

What angst are you speaking of? Tiredness, I have sure. Yesterday was a fantastic day celebrating International Sign Language Rights as the faculty and our peers wore black to symbolize sign language oppression. I was one of the featured guest speakers. Hands flew in the air, joy and passion was the emotions we all felt, got home late and deliriously happy.

Angst, I got to ask where you get that from? I see an audist when he/she does audism left and right, denies doing it and decides to twist things around.

I actually support bilingualism. ASL and English.

You want to bring in CIs? A parent with a small baby wants to CI his/her child. I cannot tell the parent what to do. I can advocate bilingualism. I would encourage the parent to use ASL for better communication. If the parent decides to CI their child, I would support their decision. It's about choices and supporting them in their choices as well.

I do not advocate audism especially when it is coming from those who know they are doing it and justifying it in the name of better living.

Instead of throwing the audism word around I simply advocate for a better and improved life for all people with hearing loss in terms of communication access, education, and jobs. How that is attained and achieved will vary but the goal is still the same rather than to resort to a single ideology. Why? Because technology is the one single factor that changes everything.

 

[Berry]

The gift of hearing, do you cherish what hearing you have? Or do not? If you do cherish your hearing explain why.

.

This thread took a while to catch up on. Pretty much everything that can be said has been said, but I'm still going to put my foot in.

Most people are unaware consciously of what they are really saying and of what they are saying really means. If they were we might not even need the study of linguistics. Most people are equally unaware of exactly what is being said to them -- But they feel it and react to it emotionally because subconsciously they DO know.

Every language contains presuppositions. Things that are not said directly in the words or signs but are so deeply ingrained you cannot fully understand the sentence...In this case the question...without knowing them.

One of the oldest and most blatant examples is: "Do you cry when you beat your wife?"

The most obvious thing presupposed is that you do indeed beat your wife and if you answer "yes" or "no" to crying then you have admitted to beating your wife.

Less obvious is the presupposition you are capable of crying. Also less obvious is the assumption you are capable of beating her.

Now look at the initial question again:

The gift of hearing, do you cherish what hearing you have? Or do not? If you do cherish your hearing explain why.

"The gift of..." presupposes that something of value was given and received. Further it is normally presupposed that what is given should be appreciated or the receiver is an ingrate. The second part of the sentence "do you cherish" is both a slap in the face and a demand that the reader conform to what is presupposed in the first part of the sentence.

Looked at this way the question becomes a brutal attack, especially when launched toward Deaf, HoH, etc. people who might very well appreciate their gift of NOT hearing.

 

[shel90]

No. I was responding to Mrs Bucket about how I may become completely deaf someday but that idea wasn't lost on me. Hence, my not taking my hearing for granted but as a gift to be cherished today.