From: Ann.Stalnaker@f2120.n124.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Attagirl!!!!
Date: 1 Sep 92 04:05:19 GMT
Reply-To: Ann.Stalnaker@f2120.n124.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:124/2120 - Fingers Talk, Irving TX
X-Fidonet: Silent Talk Conference

Index Number: 24113

[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

 HB> You know something Ann? I've known a few people (hearing people) that
 HB> took signing classes for one reason... because they REAlLY were
 HB> attracted by ONE thing only; the MYSTERY of it.  Nothing more than that!
 HB> ALL these people don't last very long in those classes because they come
 HB> to realize that indeed, they were attracted by mystery, nothing else.

I'm going to have to agree with you on this because I see it happen
all of the time.  I have taken sign language (found it a bit difficult
using ASL because I think in English since it is my first language
and thus want to use SEE - instructor didn't much like that!  :-))
and have had any folks tell me they are taking sign language
because it fascinates them, not because they want to communicate
with those who use it.

 HB> ....The ones that think that Deaf Culture is really *cool* or *keen* or
 HB> whatever, would change idea if tomorrow morning they became
 HB> completely deaf... There only love would turn back to the culture they
 HB> had.... and that they lost forever.... Those who have never heard in
 HB> their lives think that they really need a culture for themselves for the
 HB> simple reason that they don't even know about the only culture that
 HB> exists in the UNIVERSE..... the culture of the majority... the Culture
 HB> of the Living Human Being.  To put ourselves aside from this majority
 HB> means we simply do not accept it... And the reason for this is probably
 HB> because we cannot adopt to it....or maybe we don't feel like fighting
 HB> (or too weak to fight...) to be part of it......

 HB> There will always be one, and ONE ONLY culture for me... and if it was
 HB> so for EVERYBODY, then the world would be much better off...

I can't comment on missing hearing because I've never had enough
to be able to distingush between the sounds.  Even though I was
born deaf, I was not exposed to the Deaf Culture until 10 years
ago and was very much appalled by what I felt could have been
different.  I've met many, many who were a part of the Deaf
Culture who could not comprehend simple English language and
even wrote in ASL.  I also came in contact with quite a few
who could lip read very well and loved being around me so they
could practice their speech and speechreading skills since I
didn't sign.  We always had a great time and it was such
a warm feeling to know I could help them.  I've also come
in contact with deaf children who attended Deaf schools
and would speak their first word - but were ignored simply
because there wasn't any follow-up or speech therapists
available to work with them.

The world definitely would be a much better place if all
of us worked together.  There have been times when those
who are a part of the Deaf Culture have made life a bit
difficult for the rest of us who want to help ourselves.

I've never felt I didn't belong anywhere - I never felt
I needed to belong to one group or the other.  While I
do enjoy meeting others with hearing impairments and sharing
my experiences of life being deaf, I don't dwell on the fact
that I am deaf.  I make the best of what I do have and seem
to fit in anywhere.  I call this accepting the fact I have
a hearing impairment and go on my merry way enjoying what
is out in the BIG world.

However, I can understand how difficult it must be for one
who becomes deafened in later life and how hard that
adjustment can be even though I've never had that adjustment
to make.  I've found that being around people really does
help.  The secret is to get involved, perhaps in things
one didn't do in the past when they had hearing.  We may
not be able to hear music (perhaps some of it) and other
sounds, there is still a lot around for us to enjoy.

Whether one is deaf/Deaf/HoH, the best thing to do is not
let yourself dwell on the fact you have a hearing impairment,
don't be a deaf person first, be an individual who just
happens to be deaf/Deaf/HoH.

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