Newsgroups: bit.listserv.deaf-l
Date:         Sat, 15 Aug 1992 17:19:52 EDT
From:         "Cathy Brandt" <CBRAN00@UKCC.UKY.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Educational interpreters
X-To:         DEAF LIST <DEAF-L%SIUCVMB.BITNET@uga.cc.uga.edu>
              11 Aug 1992 01:39:01 GMT from <11telliott@GALLUA.GALLAUDET.EDU>

>Forgive my bluntness here. But the .sig file does clearly show that this
>"Cathy Brandt" knows nothing about educating deaf children. Sure, she may have
>a degree and all, but her attitude and heart is somewhat misguided. These are

Todd,

I certainly won't attack you personally or make judgments about what or how
much you know.  But, I don't think it is fair to assess my ability to "educate
deaf children based on a term that many deaf people accept and use.  Before you
make a claim about what I know about "educating deaf children" I'd like for you
to meet those children, their parents, deaf adults who are familiar with my
teaching, my principal or my supervisor.  Better yet, COME AND VISIT MY CLASS.
The people who know me personally and have witnessed my teaching can testify to
the  kind of teacher I am, what the kids are learning and how they feel about
themselves.  If after *those* experiences you decide I "know nothing" I will
accept your decision.  Because *then* it will be an educated decision based on
fact and not my use of one word.

>young kids, and why muddle their heads by saying they're 'hearing-impaired',
>while someone else outside of school calls them 'deaf', or some bully in the
>playground taunts them about their 'deafness'? They sense that they are
>DIFFERENT from other children, and therefore, need special attention, and they
>need to know that despite their loss of hearing, they are perfectly normal,
>healthy and happy kids, and should be proud of themselves, instead of
>confusion, and lowered self-esteem as a result. I, too see hope in this .sig,

Again, I would invite you to come and meet these children and observe them in
the school environment.  We teach respect for all children regardless of the
color of their skin, level of hearing or socio-economic condition.  We do not
have a perfect school.  But, our children do not experience negative reations
due to their level of hearing.  In fact many of the children in our school are
learning sign language in order to communicate with the children.  It is a very
positive environment.  Again, we are not perfect.  It is not utopia.  But there
are no perfect schools or environments.  Personal strength, identity and char-
acter is not built  in the midst of an easy life where everything is exactly
how we would prefer it to be.  Character, identity and integrity come as one
learns how to deal with all of the differences in the world.  *Everyone* must
deal with people who do not understand or accept them.  This is real life.  We
do children an injustice if we continually protect them from the world.  We
must teach them how to develop their own qualities to be self-sufficient, prod-
uctive members of society and to value their own abilities.  This is for *ALL*
children  -  no matter color, physical attributes, economic background etc.

Todd, I do sincerely apologize if I offended you.  As you were blunt I will do
the same.  It would be more productive if you would learn how to attack issues
rather than people and their abilities - especially when you know nothing about
that person.

Cathy Brandt - Teacher of children who have a lot to learn in order to deal
with the diversity of opinion that exists within their own culture.
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU