The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-07-17

sible task of trying to restore all the
deaf to hearing society
The Importance Of the foregoing is
understood by those who have noted
the strong social warnings of our
silent neighbors. Their handicap and
social limitations have developed in
them a very evident desire for
proper companionship. and a craving
for social enjoyment. Think how mar
row is the life of the deaf couple who
have no kindred associates in their
locality and who must ofttimes go far
from home to meet one with whom
they can have a pleasant social chat.
Can you not see how lonesome is the
| life OF her who is isolated from her
next door neighbors through loss of
hearing and inability to speak. It is
easy to understand how depressing
| it must sometimes be to sit or move
about in silent world without receiV-
ing a CHEEKY good day" from those
| more fortunate. Is it not possible
that the fact Of being socially barred
from the homes of good hearing peo-
| pie would result in less love of ones
neighbors, and lack of inclination to
copy what is good in the character of
those who dwell near at hand?
Every hearing man or woman who
| has developed some skill in the use
OF signs knows well how deeply CRATE
full the deaf are to him who enters
| their narrowed social sphere, and be-
comes a connecting link between
them and the big outside world. One
who qualities to be a teacher or
spiritual director of the deaf knows
best how much gratitude there is in
the hearts of the adult deaf and the
warm love for one who proves to be
true friend. 1t is interesting to see
the happy expression that lights up
the face Of the deaf when they meet
a hearing person who can converse
freely with them. Any one who takes
the time to go to their religious serv-
ices must note the evidence of at
tachment for one who is at the same
time companion of the deaf and a
teacher of the Gospel.
Enough has been said to give fair
conception of the social needs of the
deaf and the obligation of the hearing
towards them. The writer is well
| aware that the reading and publica-
ton of this paper will do but little to
better the deaf in a social way. The
proper premises having been laid
down, practical recommendations are
now in nr1nr Tho o;f
not crafty the social yearnings of the
| deaf who are scattered here and there
while it creates as great desire for
enjoyment among the deaf as among
hearing people. In the case Of the
latter ample opportunities are afforded
to satisfy healthy social warnings by
attending lectures, theatres, musicales,
etc. AS to the deaf it were far better
that cravings would not be created
that cannot be satisfied, and for this
reason the country is far more suit
able for the deaf than the city. 1t
would not be advisable for a deaf
man, or deaf family, to leave the city
| merely to get out in the country.
There would be marked social ad-
vantages in their living together. By
being near neighbors the wives could
talk together over the garden fence;
and the men ofttimes work together
to accomplish that which requires
united effort.
What has already been said regard
ing the social relations between the
hearing and the deaf applies with
almost equal force to their business
relations. 1t would, therefore, be a
marked advantage to the deaf to work
together in some aVocation suited to
the majority. The question here
arises what means of livelihood af-
fords the best opportunity for the
deaf to become independent. If it is
deemed best that most of the deaf
would benefit by following the avoca-
ton of farming, stock-raising, fruit
or chicken raising, colony of the
deaf would then be considered. The
establishment of such q colony and
the assembling of the deaf, who are
scattered throughout the cities, would
necessitate the investment of public
ers competent to give the deaf prac-
teal, working knowledge of a bust
ness new to them.
Having considered the social needs
of the deaf and the difficulty (some-
times the impossibility) of their
securing positions in gainful occupa-
tons in the city, the above plan would
seem to merit general appreciation
However, when serious thought is
given to the project various obstacles
appear. In the first place deaf par
ents very rarely have deaf children
A deaf man of wide acquaintance
lately told me that he knows only one
| instance in this state where there is a
deaf child of deaf parents. The chill
dren of the deaf, as well as their par
ents, must therefore be considered.
All realize that hearing children
should not always be found in the
company of deaf adults. To develop
normally they must spend the greater
part of their time with hearing asso-
ciates though they develop facility in
the use of signs necessary to con-
verse with their parents. The deaf
colony plan would consequently be a
handicap to the young unless such
colony were near to a public school
and surrounded by hearing people
with whom thee children Of the deaf
could freely mingle.
Another objection to assembling the
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