tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7277964831190547062024-03-05T15:02:45.795-05:00Deaf ExpressionsThe twisted inner workings of a Deaf person's mind.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger160125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-1332438710700983372022-03-03T11:00:00.008-05:002022-03-03T11:25:34.231-05:00<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"> AND WE'RE BAAAACCCCKKKK!</span></b></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYX-HAdHUBuJ_XrXMK6uN3AW1i7UBzENDzJ_aNMOZ3kGbWhYyMC-YjhPYiYFE53rISVCwHBCyq6IKC1Rx4801PT5dmsER4j2CzIdDy_lL23DV8ZThCAzBQ2_p0dGNHmYPBgb0UF9RvSYhnLdJWC80ClbOyCdnChjy8hXbcTsWLdth8yFW2Ky7erw=s4656" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4656" data-original-width="3492" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjYX-HAdHUBuJ_XrXMK6uN3AW1i7UBzENDzJ_aNMOZ3kGbWhYyMC-YjhPYiYFE53rISVCwHBCyq6IKC1Rx4801PT5dmsER4j2CzIdDy_lL23DV8ZThCAzBQ2_p0dGNHmYPBgb0UF9RvSYhnLdJWC80ClbOyCdnChjy8hXbcTsWLdth8yFW2Ky7erw=w252-h336" width="252" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In February of 2022, my husband and I decided to open an Etsy Shop catering to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community. This includes (but is not limited to) Deafies, Hard of Hearing, late-deafened, CODAs, SODAs, ASL Students and ASL Interpreters. We are currently in the process of making Deaf and Sign related crafts to sell. While we accumulate inventory, please visit our shop to see the other pieces we are selling. If you have an account on Etsy, please "FAVORITE" our shop (Deaf Expressions) and we will do the same for you. Keep checking back here for the latest arts and crafts as well as the skinny into the Deaf World. We look forward to "hearing" from you!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/deafexpressions"><b>www.etsy.com/shop/deafexpressions</b></a><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfy91SnzdARotXmOFpYe94n5tAWEopCKbl86nHh9D_2ej-Pt2Jo2fJNeuQTTuw3eaKQ99fvdN3yugRAc3TINQaXcADbvqpGH19c-0ewdjRFtTfj3TF_SoJRt99oiI__2OgykdFsoTTcA8odX7chUga1mb6Visz5mWkk8mC9OP_SKSnXurvqqKoIQ=s4656" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4656" data-original-width="3492" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfy91SnzdARotXmOFpYe94n5tAWEopCKbl86nHh9D_2ej-Pt2Jo2fJNeuQTTuw3eaKQ99fvdN3yugRAc3TINQaXcADbvqpGH19c-0ewdjRFtTfj3TF_SoJRt99oiI__2OgykdFsoTTcA8odX7chUga1mb6Visz5mWkk8mC9OP_SKSnXurvqqKoIQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-23748496341126054692019-08-16T15:40:00.001-04:002019-08-16T15:41:27.881-04:00I'm Deaf -- Not Late Deafened<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90N-3mhcHswW0BZYb6qrY3ulGf8FRdeLK9dZGd8MeyWVgZ5O940D5_ZzKLtc7bkUrcPEogsKvNTXwFqps7c859dDDOg_gYgnmtYTSof-68apI3DZXE7Dm0qyxKDNQTlo6aCHHvtNGZQ/s1600/DUH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="172" data-original-width="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg90N-3mhcHswW0BZYb6qrY3ulGf8FRdeLK9dZGd8MeyWVgZ5O940D5_ZzKLtc7bkUrcPEogsKvNTXwFqps7c859dDDOg_gYgnmtYTSof-68apI3DZXE7Dm0qyxKDNQTlo6aCHHvtNGZQ/s1600/DUH.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I'm Deaf. I'm proud to be Deaf, too But there are a ton of labels people put on me and it causes me to feel discomfort. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I was born deaf in one ear and I lost all of my hearing in my other ear after I learned how to speak. Some people label me as being "Late Deafened," but it offends me to a point and challenges my Deaf identity.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I mean, I can understand their point, but I'm a firm believer that each Deaf person should be "labeled" with whatever terminology he or she prefers. I don't want to be labeled as "Late Deafened." When I think of a LD adult, I think of people who lipread and speak and use CIs and try to make themselves fit into the "hearing world." (I hate that term, by the way.) Yes, I know that I might be stereotyping but it still goes to show that LD adults often (not always) try to be/act as "hearing" as possible. I don't want to be hearing, so therefore I get offended by the LD label.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Yes, I know there are plenty of deaf people who are Late-Deafened. ALDA (Association of Late Deafened Adults) conducts a convention annually and, at the convention, they provide sign language interpreters as well as captioning. You will meet a hodgepodge of deafies at an ALDA convention, but the majority think of themselves as Late Deafened--not Deaf.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you're not sure which terminology to use with your deaf acquaintance, please simply ask them what they prefer. It will save embarrassment and the possibility of offense. For me? Call me Deaf. I'm proud of that.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-69361561828330954702018-02-08T08:58:00.000-05:002018-02-08T08:58:57.629-05:00IM SO SORRY! I NEED AN INTERPRETER! AGAIN, I’M SO SORRY!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKudQIaA8DwbnsPX45pbfgQnhbaFCjdp2VRVojmX40oBXTOVVkjswViF9ABi1QFih0rIysLhy5oQbDDvmcpUSDBx51uot_v1CjADbR7R4Mot8iCW59OmmJnMZ0ix3Dvxff0U-DL2UpA/s1600/fear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAKudQIaA8DwbnsPX45pbfgQnhbaFCjdp2VRVojmX40oBXTOVVkjswViF9ABi1QFih0rIysLhy5oQbDDvmcpUSDBx51uot_v1CjADbR7R4Mot8iCW59OmmJnMZ0ix3Dvxff0U-DL2UpA/s1600/fear.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I’m not the type of person to feel strongly
about standing up for my rights. Well, I take that back. I do <i>feel</i> strongly, but I have a hard time
insisting on my rights being taking care of. For example, many years ago I met
with a therapist. He flat-out told me that he refused to pay for an interpreter
and that, if I wanted him to see me, I would need to pay for my own. Instead of
explaining the ADA to him and insisting that he accommodate my needs, I shrunk
down in my seat and just started saying stuff like, “Oh, that’s OK. I’m sure
there are agencies out there who will pay for an interpreter for me. You don’t
have to pay a thing. I’ll be fine.” Which, just in case you don’t know, isn’t
quite accurate. It’s the therapist’s
legal obligation to provide accommodations for me (an interpreter in my case)
for his services. That doctor had me so intimidated that I’ve since found it
hard to request accommodations with any doctor or group at any time. Pretty
sad, eh?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My kids go to a charter school. I have had a few
occasions when I’ve needed an interpreter. When I’ve asked, they have always –
ALWAYS – said yes and gotten me an interpreter. Yet, it’s still scary for me to
ask. Why is that? It’s not really fair for me to feel scared to ask for
something that is rightfully mine. I do though. I shrink down like a little kid
and beg for accommodations. One day, I hope to be able to stand up for myself
with confidence and explain my needs and demand my rights be met. Until that day,
I’ll sill request interpreters. I’ll just be scared doing so. Kind of pathetic,
but that’s the way it is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-64663249234611691782017-08-25T11:14:00.001-04:002017-08-25T11:14:25.696-04:00SIGN WITH YOUR BABY? HOW?!?!?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGzYohEtEeiCBZhzDb659RLDr9CMzCmi_Re656-eVETw_o1Sw54txbk6ulIWsNWICnTfOrjbbFlMWprzdEmSFUHV4Ot6nWe6INm220ZzxJiWC_6jwJ6XTtwIZqzZqYXBUmcBHWFwJCw/s1600/SWYB1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVGzYohEtEeiCBZhzDb659RLDr9CMzCmi_Re656-eVETw_o1Sw54txbk6ulIWsNWICnTfOrjbbFlMWprzdEmSFUHV4Ot6nWe6INm220ZzxJiWC_6jwJ6XTtwIZqzZqYXBUmcBHWFwJCw/s1600/SWYB1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Several years ago I decided to branch my Deaf Expressions
business off to include Signing With Your Baby. I went through Sign2Me and
became a certified teacher. I was really excited!</div>
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I received my initial package with a CD and a binder full of
information and immediately started to prepare for a first class. Actually, I
think I was going to start with a workshop and ease my way into it.</div>
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Problem: When I looked at the plans and curriculum, they
were based on music and songs. Signing the songs. That’s what the CD was. Not
exactly user-friendly to a Deaf person, now, is it?</div>
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I was completely frustrated! How do I do this if I can’t
hear, let alone sing?</div>
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To this day, I still haven’t figured it out. My instructor’s
manual remains on my book shelf and I continue to work on figuring out how to
teach babies and their mom’s (together) how to sign. Oh, I could just teach the
moms vocabulary, but that’s not what they’re interested in. </div>
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Don’t worry. It’ll happen eventually. Until then, I’ll work
with my usual clientele and I’m happy doing that.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-48568239355028693382017-08-16T13:48:00.000-04:002017-08-16T14:26:44.460-04:00INTROVERSION + DEAFNESS = SECLUSION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8_s2Js8nqlPMDO3JniAjFfPggimjALQaflTw1dY-f6aXAVm-rR-NXkaF69USLVTOFtlzdcMxSzrXsuVEaQgd_yAnVK9zeXPXZWU2GbxQGReiEi3s67Q1OmWMbAeUgt5eXjipbvtq1Q/s1600/introvert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8_s2Js8nqlPMDO3JniAjFfPggimjALQaflTw1dY-f6aXAVm-rR-NXkaF69USLVTOFtlzdcMxSzrXsuVEaQgd_yAnVK9zeXPXZWU2GbxQGReiEi3s67Q1OmWMbAeUgt5eXjipbvtq1Q/s1600/introvert.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I lost the remaining of my hearing at the age of 27, and,
boy, was it an eye opener! Having already grown up partially deaf, you would
think this new condition wouldn’t have hit me so hard. You would be wrong.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In addition to learning how to be aware of my environment
and stay hyper vigilante, I also needed to learn how to communicate, both with
fellow deafies and hearing people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I already knew much sign language, but ASL to a hearing/hard
of hearing person and ASL to a Deaf person is quite different. But, boy, did I
buckle down and study! ASL became my highest priority and it still is, in a
way. Now, almost 18 years later, I am able to teach and share my knowledge—and that’s
a true blessing. There’s only one problem: I’m a die-hard introvert. Scared to
death of people in general. It’s not that I don’t <i>want</i> to socialize and have friends. I DO! But I’m terrified at the
idea of interacting with others—especially those I don’t already know.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Oh, you won’t be able to tell from my first impression. I’m
a great faker. Other than the fact that I have a hard core, evil, Resting Bitch
Face (the face I make when I’m just sitting somewhere, resting), I’m quite
personable. It’s the people closest to me who can appreciate my timidity.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So, becoming deaf was hard, yes, but the hardest part wasn’t/isn’t
not hearing or even communication (I’m now fluent in sign language). No, the
hardest part is lack of friends. The hearing friends I had before deafness all
left when I lost my hearing. And trying to make new friends with the discrimination,
the fear people feel toward the Deaf in general, on top of being scared of
meeting new people—hearing or Deaf—That’s the hardest part. It can get quite
lonely. Introversion + Deafness = Not such good results.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For now, I’ll rely on Facebook and the few friends I do
have. If you have any other ideas, please comment, I’d love to hear your
advice. Just be aware that if you ever see someone and realize they are deaf,
they might be struggling with the same things I do. Go up to them. Befriend
them. Get to know them. I promise you it will be well worth your time.</span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-59797072568617563822017-06-09T10:15:00.000-04:002017-06-09T10:15:27.772-04:00OFFEND THAT DEAFIE? IMPOSSIBLE!<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacUk1OwBHy62yS2UR1lmnXatHfjToCDlf7DzWWaV_BJndOpE79AjIGZuky8RrBjp1xoPTaQEFVRT_v5T1tfiLgigU6Oo5CRYZ7XkHveMXv3bMNgj-nsdXTbvWVYVdnM1APEvBenLElA/s1600/offend.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="227" data-original-width="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjacUk1OwBHy62yS2UR1lmnXatHfjToCDlf7DzWWaV_BJndOpE79AjIGZuky8RrBjp1xoPTaQEFVRT_v5T1tfiLgigU6Oo5CRYZ7XkHveMXv3bMNgj-nsdXTbvWVYVdnM1APEvBenLElA/s1600/offend.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">As a youngster, most of us are taught what is
considered rude and what is considered, shall we say, “politically correct.”
But one question might be, do those rules apply for everyone in every
situation? I high doubt that every single situation calls for the same response
or behavior.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I was teaching a sign language course a week ago
and the subject of “Deaf people being blunt” came up. One student spoke out, “So
it’s impossible to offend a Deaf person?” Ha! I sincerely doubt there is anyone
with normal emotions (Hearing, Deaf, Black, White, Female, Male, etc.),of whom
it is impossible to offend. Tell a Deaf person they can’t do something because they’re
deaf. I think that might rattle a few cages. In general Deaf people and Hearing
people feel things the same way. We’ve just experienced life differently and
respond in different ways. It doesn’t make us easy targets for rudeness or
bullies.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">At a Deaf gathering a while ago, I had a friend
ask me how I felt about being so fat. I knew he wasn’t trying to be rude. So I
told him, It sucks being fat. I’m working on it.” And let it go. What I wanted
to say was,”How’s does it feel to be ugly?” But THAT would have definitely been
rude…and politically incorrect (Whatever the heck that means).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Although Deaf and hard of hearing people may have
a slight reputation for being blunt, that doesn’t make us a group of people who
have no feelings. So, yes, you can offend a Deaf person. And yes, a Deaf person
can offend a hearing person. That’s just how life goes. So the next time you
feel like testing this theory out, take a moment and think, <i>How would I feel if something asked or said
the same thing to me?</i> You might decide to push your OFF button and rethink
what you have to say.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-47865360753374168222016-04-12T14:03:00.000-04:002016-04-12T14:03:06.362-04:00The Face of Stone--Does It Work For You?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IzfiqNoxileIzbj9Zgp-PJtC5x8FgcVJ6XsHvsOJ41hNsaOU6dBH4xg2gcr7bazKORffpR_heyLfy6kZXNngXP6woZqrfE4QbWR-2GqQByLsCOrSSB6Bd_9iYYXv2JgU_sZ4lux8zg/s1600/ASL+feelings.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IzfiqNoxileIzbj9Zgp-PJtC5x8FgcVJ6XsHvsOJ41hNsaOU6dBH4xg2gcr7bazKORffpR_heyLfy6kZXNngXP6woZqrfE4QbWR-2GqQByLsCOrSSB6Bd_9iYYXv2JgU_sZ4lux8zg/s1600/ASL+feelings.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 13.5pt;">I love my language! Both of them,
actually. I am more proficient at English (I was planning on majoring in
English in college), but I love American Sign Language just as much. So, when I
am told that a group is going to be performing in ASL, I'm definitely
interested!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 13.5pt;">The thing is,
sometimes I wonder who teaches and rehearses these groups, because more often
than not, I've found that if a group is going to perform a song in ASL, at
church or somewhere, there's a slight (or not so slight) discrepancy as to
whether or not it's true ASL.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 13.5pt;">ASL has many
components to it. Not the least of which is facial expressions. I mean,
seriously, can you truly express yourself in ASL with a stone, cold, immovable
face? Because that's what a lot of groups do. They want to look in sync with
each other, so they dress all in black and keep their faces blank through the
entire song. I don't know about others, but for me, it takes something away
from the beauty of ASL. It's not as clear and doesn't express the vitality of
sign language well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 13.5pt;">Some
groups would be really good if they acted as if they were actually alive. For
me, though, give me ASL with <i>all</i> of it's expression. I want to see how
you feel on your face. If you can do that, it would make all the difference in
the world!! Sign on!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-5956638576411689942016-04-09T15:54:00.000-04:002016-04-09T15:54:53.560-04:00How Can I "Eat Fresh" If You Won't Serve Me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd25rqbElPW6mPUaG7BxkCC2F1tpSsJdceRiJn-0t3ejHV-NX-NNwa1DC5-fScDbX1U-Gxptd0Y4kMsxteJxvq_RcdtJfDD8fVolrhiFBkmsygMvIWf7QYkChADs85TS3KJG3Hd-BaUg/s1600/subway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd25rqbElPW6mPUaG7BxkCC2F1tpSsJdceRiJn-0t3ejHV-NX-NNwa1DC5-fScDbX1U-Gxptd0Y4kMsxteJxvq_RcdtJfDD8fVolrhiFBkmsygMvIWf7QYkChADs85TS3KJG3Hd-BaUg/s1600/subway.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Everyone is
different. No two people are 100% alike—no matter how hard you look. The same
goes for deaf and hard of hearing people. We run the gamut from totally oral to
totally ASL. Some use various types of aids, while others (like me) go au
natural. Not only do we differ as people, the same person differs from day to
day. At least I know I do. Some days you can’t shut me up. Other days I can
hardly lift a finger or utter a sound.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">I have to be
honest and profess that life in general as a Deaf person can be “easier” when
that person uses his or her voice while conversing with hearing people while
out in public. That does depend, however, on how well they can speak. I
personally see no trouble in carrying a notebook and jotting down my thoughts
or needs. However, sadly, many hearing people look at the paper I show them
with total confusion. “Why are you handing me paper? What am I supposed to do
with this?” Uh…read it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">That’s exactly
what happened to me the other day. I was having a no-voice kind of day. Didn’t
want to be bothered by how loud or unclear I came off as. I happily toted my
notebook with me and hadn’t run into any problems…until…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">I was hungry, OK?
I really needed something to eat and Subway was calling my name. As I sat in my
car outside the restaurant, I happily jotted down—very precisely—the exact
sandwich and toppings I wanted. Clear as a bell. Easy—peasy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">When I finally
went inside, they were busy with the lunch rush, and, for some reason, I was
nervous. I often get nervous communicating with hearing people. Actually, I
have a social phobia, so I’m nervous with all people. But not being able to
hear and hearing people who can’t sign, just increases my fear a hundred fold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Anyway, I waited
patiently, and when my turn came, I politely handed over the list of what I
wanted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">“NO!” the girl
behind the counter started mumbling and waved me off. I’m guessing she said
something about not being willing to take the paper. I pointed to my ear and
told her I was deaf and she just continued talking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">“I can’t
understand you,” I gestured. After taking a minute, I realized she didn’t want
to touch the paper with her gloves on. That it compromised her sanitary space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">“If you can’t
just talk to me, then you need to go somewhere else,” she rudely waved me away.
I indicated that I could hold the paper up and she could just read it.
Obviously, she couldn’t read, because she refused to do that as well. I was
very frustrated. It was clear that this woman, whose job is to serve the
public, didn’t want to be bothered with anything “out of the ordinary.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">I didn’t get a
sandwich that day. I because so flustered and annoyed that I just walked out. I
should have asked to talk with the manager, but I admit that sometimes I simply
don’t have the energy to bother.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Why must things be so
complicated? Why do so many people freak out if something or someone needs
something outside of the “norm?” Being deaf and the needs we have shouldn’t
debilitate us. But I can’t look at it as me causing mayhem. It’s the other
person making a fairly simple situation more chaotic than it needs to be. It
was a piece of paper, for goodness sake! I guess you have to have all your
senses and be able to accommodate the workers in order to “eat fresh.” Subway,
say it isn’t so!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-40591735832379408192015-10-27T11:48:00.000-04:002015-10-27T11:48:09.897-04:00The Top Three Colleges For Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vpjElFvdzDT99AWaUfwt7DENVOg6BUo2R_-UEe4hJ6iGpdvaknVUvx2xY0xsrOlZw7azKStREcdLRcKl0e6LLGovjkwK186Qfs5TNTULCO47LJRZDtnjo58TNu3fQO4f3-UZVzfmFQ/s1600/galludet-university.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1vpjElFvdzDT99AWaUfwt7DENVOg6BUo2R_-UEe4hJ6iGpdvaknVUvx2xY0xsrOlZw7azKStREcdLRcKl0e6LLGovjkwK186Qfs5TNTULCO47LJRZDtnjo58TNu3fQO4f3-UZVzfmFQ/s1600/galludet-university.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></strong></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.4pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Gallaudet
University, Washington, D.C.</span></strong><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.4pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As the only liberal
arts college for the deaf in the world, Gallaudet University has graduated more
than 19,000 students and is accredited by the Middle States Commission on
Higher Education. The university offers a bilingual learning environment
featuring American Sign Language and English with programs and services
designed specifically to accommodate the deaf and<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>hard of hearing student.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.4pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Undergraduate students
can choose from a wide range of undergraduate degree programs, including Arts
and Media, Business, Human Services, Humanities, Language/Culture, and
Science/Math/Technology. Graduate degrees include ASL and Deaf Studies;
Counseling; Education; Government and Public Affairs; Hearing, Speech and
Language Sciences; History, Philosophy, Religion and Sociology; Interpretation;
Linguistics; Psychology, and Social Work.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.4pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">That’s more than 40
majors leading to Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees. A small
number of hearing undergraduate students—up to five percent of an entering
class—are also admitted to the University each year. Graduate programs at
Gallaudet are open to Deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing students and offer
certificates and Master of Arts, Master of Science, doctoral, and specialist
degrees in a variety of fields involving professional service to Deaf and hard
of hearing people.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.4pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Close to 2,000
students are enrolled at Gallaudet, which boasts a robust campus life including
a campus ministry and full athletic program. According to a recent alumni
study, more than 98 percent of those who graduated December 2010 and August
2011 are employed; 99 percent of graduate students are employed or furthering
their education.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.4pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;">Gallaudet was granted
university status in October 1986. Two years later, in March 1988, the Deaf
President Now (DPN) movement led to the appointment of the University's
first Deaf president, Dr. I. King Jordan and the Board of Trustees' first Deaf
chair, Philip Bravin.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><br />
<br />
Through the University Career center, students receive internships that provide
a wealth of experiential learning opportunities. Recent internships were
offered at Merrill Lynch, National Aeronautics and Space Administration,
National Institutes of Health, and the World Bank. Students also benefit from
an array of services provided by such campus units as the Burstein Leadership
Institute, Language Planning Institute, Hearing and Speech Center, Cochlear
Implant Education Center, and the Center for International Programs and
Services.<br />
<br />
Today, Gallaudet is viewed by Deaf and hearing people as a primary resource for
all things related to Deaf people such as career opportunities, visual
learning, Deaf history and culture and American Sign Language.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.4pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> N</span></b><strong style="line-height: 17.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">ational
Technical Institute for the Deaf, Rochester, New York (NTID)</span></strong></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.4pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">One of nine colleges
of Rochester Institute of Technology. Of the more than 15,000 undergraduate
students from around the world on campus, 1,200 are deaf or hard of hearing.
The institute is the first and largest of its kind for<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>deaf and hard of hearing students.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Instructors use a variety of
communication methods including ASL, spoken language, finger spelling, printed
and visual aids, and online resources. FM systems are also available along with
tutoring, note-taking, real-time captioning services and interpreting staff.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.4pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">The
National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) was formally established in
1965 and began operation in 1967 at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
with first students in 1968.The college is in Rochester, N.Y.. RIT was
founded in 1829. The National Technical Institute for the Deaf (NTID) is one of
the nine colleges of Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), a leading
career-oriented, technological university recognized by U.S. News & World
Report as one of America's "Best College Values," and by The
Princeton Review as one of the top 20 colleges nationwide for "Best
Career Services." More than 15,000 undergraduate students from around the
world, including more than 1,200 who are Deaf or hard of hearing are enrolled
at RIT/NTID. </span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt;"><br />
<br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">NTID prepares professionals to work in fields
related to Deafness; undertakes a program of applied research designed to
enhance the social, economic and educational accommodation of Deaf people; and
shares its knowledge and expertise through outreach and other information
dissemination programs.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.4pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">The ACT
score requirements are 24-31. Deaf and hard-of-hearing students at RIT/NTID
receive<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">private
university education</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Century Gothic';"> </span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">at
a public college price.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.4pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><!--[if !supportEmptyParas]--> </span></strong><strong style="line-height: 17.4pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Southwest
Collegiate Institute for the Deaf (SWCID), Big Spring, Texas</span></strong></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 17.4pt; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">SWCID is a
state-supported college operating within the Howard County Junior College
District, which offers associate degree and certification programs. American
Sign Language is primary communication used in instruction. SWCID students are
also able to participate in athletics, student organizations, class internships
and other residential activities on the Howard College campus.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="background: white; font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.5pt; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">SWCID was the idea of a parent of a Deaf student in elementary school
Mr. Fred Maddux, who wanted a vocational training program for his son. Mr.
Maddux presented the idea to Dr. Burke, the Regional Superintendent for the
West Texas Panhandle-Regional Day School programs for the Deaf in Texas. They
contacted Big Spring, Texas leaders to see if they would communicate with
Congressman Charles Stenholm about the need for a college for the Deaf at
recently-closed Webb Air Force Base facilities. Congressman Charles Stenholm,
Dr. Burke, Mr. Maddux and several other Big Spring officials met. Following the
meeting, Congressman Stenholm was in full agreement of using the Webb Air Force
base facilities as a college for the Deaf. Howard College agreed to
sponsor SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf in May of 1979 under the
leadership of President Charles Hays, and on November 6, 1979, the Howard
County Junior College District Board of Trustees officially established the
SouthWest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-7384677964528428162015-09-01T16:05:00.000-04:002015-09-01T16:05:39.962-04:00Deaf Actors On Television<h2>
<strong>Here are just a few TV Shows I found that use Deaf actors/participants and/or Deaf issues. If there's more (and I'm sure there are, tell me in a comment! I'd love to know!)</strong></h2>
<h2>
<strong><br /></strong></h2>
<h2>
<strong><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Amazing Race</span></strong></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1WbOvgMd9B_2M6Z8XkSpoXqR0H2H5DeBIRdpMISIzuKgSpK2Ggv1zsf-yxmQkdN1vOlltjvF1cL8l0r6AFs8bcKg2cuT9uFPCDm-BF2uUGHOfYMBt5g4ly76NpiT2Dy-DU-WcmQv7Q/s1600/TV+BLOG+Amazing+Race.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1WbOvgMd9B_2M6Z8XkSpoXqR0H2H5DeBIRdpMISIzuKgSpK2Ggv1zsf-yxmQkdN1vOlltjvF1cL8l0r6AFs8bcKg2cuT9uFPCDm-BF2uUGHOfYMBt5g4ly76NpiT2Dy-DU-WcmQv7Q/s320/TV+BLOG+Amazing+Race.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Luke Adams was a Deaf
contestant on, “Amazing Race,” who was on a team with his mother, Margie
O'Connell. He and his mother communicated mostly through American Sign Language
and were said to have one of the best relationships of any team on the show. He
was eliminated from the show and came back in another season as part of an All
Stars season, but was also eliminated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Big
Bang Theory: Season 5, Episode 4: The Wiggly Finger Catalyst<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXyYZWPyGNTUcjKUF8JJgcqb6CD245xQ_zjSVqbemRWfPc0uhglX9B4BSI3EOXdylUVBO9KNCjGtOAn7QX1FtNgb3hmeV_FPAOrnk7KtdoKKPIYQpad8Qyzl8O2kPcrko9pnbesnDwQ/s1600/TV+BLOG+Big+Bang+Theory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXyYZWPyGNTUcjKUF8JJgcqb6CD245xQ_zjSVqbemRWfPc0uhglX9B4BSI3EOXdylUVBO9KNCjGtOAn7QX1FtNgb3hmeV_FPAOrnk7KtdoKKPIYQpad8Qyzl8O2kPcrko9pnbesnDwQ/s1600/TV+BLOG+Big+Bang+Theory.jpg" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';"><br /></span></strong></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">In this episode of Big
Bang Theory, Katie Leclerc (also seen below playing on “Switched At Birth”)
plays a love interest of Raj (Kunal Nayyar). Essentially, Leclerc as
"Emily" is the perfect girlfriend for Raj because Raj has a problem
speaking to women without being drunk. But with Emily, he doesn't have to worry
about that and becomes much more confident. He becomes infuated with her, even
giving her jewelry, leasing her a car, and paying off her credit cards so that
she would stay with him. However, Raj's friends, led by Howard, who somehow
knows sign language, are led to believe that Emily is a gold digger and is just
using Raj for his money. When they confront her about it, she becomes angry and
tells Raj about it. The friends then tell Raj's parents, who then threaten to
cut him off if he doesn't break up with her. He chooses Emily over the money,
but when Emily finds out he no longer has access to his family's wealth, she
breaks up with him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<strong><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Chopped</span></strong></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Kurt Ramborger was a
Deaf contestant on the cooking competition show, “Chopped.” Ramborger is a chef
from Austin, Texas and gives an opportunity to teach the judges and his fellow
competitors that a Deaf person can still compete on the show. He used an
interpreter, but struggled in the show because he ran out of time because he
couldn't hear the judges yelling that the clock was running down and didn't see
his interpreter because he was focused on the food. Nevertheless, it was a
great opportunity for him in that he made it past the first round. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">ER:
Season 5, Episode 14: The Storm<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">In this episode of ER,
Marlee Matlin portrays a sign language instructor who is trying to teach one of
the doctors sign language after the doctor found out that his son was deaf. The
doctor had previously looked into getting his son a cochlear implant, but
decided against it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Project
Runway<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Justin LeBlanc is a
Deaf competitor on Project Runway. He introduces himself as Deaf and that he
uses a cochlear implant, but is still very limited in hearing. As a result, he
uses an interpreter on the show to understand the judges and other contestants
when they speak. He uses his experience on the show to express to the other
contestants and judges how deafness can be very unique and how he is not just
"an inspirational figure" as many people see deaf people. He even
made an outfit that resembles the ASL sign for "I love you". <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Scrubs:
Season 6, Episode 16: My Words of Wisdom<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbUcGaPH-znK1jQyiWduC1jbbaDccmoNXPZWnDB6PVU2LMg3AVQj9YSAbJm5SoQmKnWZWfCgW5r7cyOKwCwqMHrBe_oWRbFnLMGuHZyNU2juoDQj9sZdHJ74nkk-VIkPqi_9MsPNfgg/s1600/TV+BLOG+Scrubs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbUcGaPH-znK1jQyiWduC1jbbaDccmoNXPZWnDB6PVU2LMg3AVQj9YSAbJm5SoQmKnWZWfCgW5r7cyOKwCwqMHrBe_oWRbFnLMGuHZyNU2juoDQj9sZdHJ74nkk-VIkPqi_9MsPNfgg/s1600/TV+BLOG+Scrubs.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">This episode of
“Scrubs,” a popular hospital comedy show, features a deaf child who is brought
into the hospital for an illness. His dad is also deaf, and they do not speak
and cannot hear. Strangely, the Janitor knows sign language (although it is not
clear how he knows it), and can act as an interpreter between the doctors and
the father and son. The hearing doctors, J.D. and Chris Turk (the main
characters) find out about cochlear implants and suggest that the father get
his son a cochlear implant. The father strongly refuses, and J.D. and Turk are
left mesmerized as to why this father wouldn't want to help his son hear, even
going so far as to say that the father is being abusive towards his son. The
doctors go around the father to get permission to do the cochlear implant
surgery on the son, but what they don't realize is that the father fears that
if his son got a cochlear implant, he would lose his relationship with his son,
since being deaf was how they most connected. This shows a real debate in the
deaf community, where cochlear implants are presented as a perfect, life
changing option, but deaf people oppose it because they fear that they will
lose their relationships with their loved ones and lose their culture, much
like forcing a foreign immigrant to learn English and abandon their homeland's
culture, language, and traditions. Very frustrating!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Seinfeld:
Season 5, Episode 6: The Lip Reader<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1GD4r3ClGJsyAMfSijeeONtfkmYPR-EYO6GKOcrCBLmLGqmhYiVbcXJ2pMD9tzawtWCw6vbmPcQoG8_IXKVs189D2MAn8uoTsRBDnjoekTP-EF6JqJX-gpL1tlqHDtbpI3mQphWk2Q/s1600/TV+BLOG+Seinfeld.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK1GD4r3ClGJsyAMfSijeeONtfkmYPR-EYO6GKOcrCBLmLGqmhYiVbcXJ2pMD9tzawtWCw6vbmPcQoG8_IXKVs189D2MAn8uoTsRBDnjoekTP-EF6JqJX-gpL1tlqHDtbpI3mQphWk2Q/s1600/TV+BLOG+Seinfeld.jpg" /></a></strong></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Marlee Matlin appears
as a deaf woman who Jerry Seinfeld dates. The group of friends suddenly begin
using Matlin to read lips of other people around them. Elaine also pretends to
use deafness in the episode, pretending not to hear a cab driver, but reacting
to a message over the radio and subsequently offending the cab driver. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Sesame
Street<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDvRv7yFg5RJm99cKvpURXGX5uFgUKbgCovDY7Lp3OJFefU6Bl7sFqFO4d-6Lyaso4LLz3NGH_aDakOjsojiXMFfyZlK1YgiQMV18OEG03nWUKeFdWr1KaSurOswwo6MdBOwFQ_uFZQ/s1600/TV+BLOG+Sesama+Street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbDvRv7yFg5RJm99cKvpURXGX5uFgUKbgCovDY7Lp3OJFefU6Bl7sFqFO4d-6Lyaso4LLz3NGH_aDakOjsojiXMFfyZlK1YgiQMV18OEG03nWUKeFdWr1KaSurOswwo6MdBOwFQ_uFZQ/s1600/TV+BLOG+Sesama+Street.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Linda Bove was one of
the first Deaf characters to appear on TV. In Sesame Street, she appears as
Linda the Librarian, who teaches children about sign language and the deaf community.
She also taught them that being deaf was not a bad or shameful thing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Survivor<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Christy Smith was the
first Deaf contestant on the show "Survivor". She competed in order
to raise awareness of Deafness and Deaf culture, but unfortunately her competitors
took advantage of her deafness by whispering to each other, knowing that she
couldn't hear them. Unable to form an alliance, she was voted out, but was able
to remain on the jury as a voter for the remainder of the show. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">Switched
at Birth<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">“Switched at Birth” is
a popular television drama that airs on ABC Family. The show focuses on two
teenagers who were switched at birth and how their families ended up reuniting.
However, one of the main characters (Katie Leclerc) is deaf and goes to a school
for the deaf called "Carlton". Marlee Matlin also makes an appearance
on the show as the mother of Sean Berdy, who plays another character, as well
as the guidance counselor for Deaf students at Carlton. The show does a great
job of looking at the relationships between deaf and hearing people, and
accurately depicts the challenges of hearing people having to learn how to sign
and how to become used to communicating with deaf people, while the deaf
characters frequently struggle with feeling like the hearing people are
"invading" their space, especially at their school for the deaf. The
most interesting episode that takes place is one in which the entire episode is
done in ASL with no sounds. The show features quite a bit of ASL, which is usually
subtitled for those who do not know how to sign. While the show can veer into
typical "ABC Family Drama" at times, it really does do a great job of
showing an accurate depiction of life for a deaf person in a hearing world, and
vice versa. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<h1>
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 8.0pt;">Weeds<o:p></o:p></span></h1>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">In “Weeds”, Shoshannah
Stern plays Megan, the high school girlfriend of one of the sons, Silas (played
by Hunter Parrish), of the main character, Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker).
Throughout the show, Stern teaches him about sign language, deaf culture, and
communication. </span></div>
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<strong><span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic';">The
West Wing<o:p></o:p></span></strong></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: 'Century Gothic'; font-size: 12pt;">Marlee Matlin plays "Joey Lucas", a pollster
who is not a main character, but does appear in all seven seasons of the show.
She is deaf and is usually accompanied by an interpreter on the show. Lucas
also had a love interest with one of the other characters on the show, White
House Chief of Staff Josh Lyman. </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-73154118171045767102015-08-30T12:19:00.003-04:002015-08-30T12:19:45.841-04:00Five Tips To Make Lipreading Easier<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfeLbU-IPsiz5TqVR6pEMef5Au_a_IKN0Qs4WBmIm-bVcwM6pPSU_cHZ3oNzI-HXkUY1oX3eM9wStb-LGc4wdv6IVjg3Hs15TNVpoj_xg5VMXQvhcnJ9iD7eaZUyWDPU0Wk6-C89QgQ/s1600/lipreading.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfeLbU-IPsiz5TqVR6pEMef5Au_a_IKN0Qs4WBmIm-bVcwM6pPSU_cHZ3oNzI-HXkUY1oX3eM9wStb-LGc4wdv6IVjg3Hs15TNVpoj_xg5VMXQvhcnJ9iD7eaZUyWDPU0Wk6-C89QgQ/s1600/lipreading.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">I’m deaf. It’s
true. I’m stone deaf and sign language is my main mode of communicating. Of
course, it can’t be only mode though. There are too many people out there who
don’t know sign language to expect to be able to get around in the world only
using that method. No. Another way I communicate is via the written word. If
I’m lucky enough to encounter a hearing person with patience, writing back and
forth is a really good way to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">But that doesn’t
happen all the time. I wouldn’t say it’s rare, but it certainly doesn’t happen
often. Usually, people are in too much of a hurry to put their stuff down and
write to me. What tends to happen, regardless of if I announce I can’t lipread,
is people discover I’m deaf and then they tend to just speed off with their
mouths, expecting me to lipread them with ease.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Truth is, I’m
more than willing to try to lipread people. But they have to put forth some
effort as well. That brings me to these five ways to make lipreading easier for
the lipreader…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><b>Tip #1: Beware of
facial hair.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">As anyone who has
ever tried to lipread can attest, pseudo-Santas and other men with Frito
catchers around their mouth can prove a great challenge. If you’re a man with a
mustache (or a woman, for that matter), please make sure it is trimmed around
the lips. It can be downright impossible to lipread someone with hair all over
the place. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><b>Tip #2: Don’t
stand in front of a window or light.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">One of the
biggest problems I run into is trying to read the face of someone standing in
front of a window or light. This puts a shadow on their face and makes it
nearly impossible to tell what they’re saying. While we’re talking about it,
don’t stand in front of a window or light even when you’re signing. The shadow
makes it impossible to even see facial expressions—something crucial in a
signed conversation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><b>Tip #3: Watch
your hands.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Something many
people don’t realize is how much they use their hands when they talk. It’s
true! You have no idea how often I’ll look over and think two people are
signing to each other until I realize it’s just hearing people using their
hands. It might not be practical to tell you not to use your hands at all (in
fact, sometimes it really does help give clues to what’s being said), but mind
yourself when you go to put your hands to your mouth. This happens a lot. We
cannot lipread you if your hands are on your lips. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><b>Tip #4: Speak
naturally and at a SLIGHTLY slower pace. Do not over-enunciate.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">I am a lot of
things. But one thing I am not is a dentist. I do not need to see your fillings
and cavities, One thing a lot of people do when they find out I’m deaf is start
to over-enunciate, saying each word overly clearly and with big lip movements.
It’s scary! It’s true that speaking a little slower, a little more clearly, may
help. But not so much that it changes the look of the words. Speak clearly, but
at a normal rate. And, for Pete’s sake, keep your dental work to yourself!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><b>Tip #5: Don’t
chew gum or talk with your mouth full.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Finally, there’s
one thing you would think wouldn’t need to be included on this list, but sadly
does. Please do not talk with your mouth full of food…even stuffing it to the
side. It’s downright nasty! It’s difficult enough to try to decipher what
you’re saying. But when you add gobs of mushy egg salad to the mix, it’s gross!
Even chewing gum while you speak can make it impossible to know what you’re
saying. So swallow before speaking, please.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">So, there you have
it. Lipreading is not an easy skill to acquire. Only 35% of what is said can be
lipread by even the best of lipreaders – 65% is guesswork. But you can make it
a bit easier on the deaf or hard of hearing person by following these five
tips. Put them to use if the deaf person says he or she can lipread. But if
they tell you they can’t, even these five tips might not work. Written
communication may be best. Good luck!</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-15675247484887916232015-07-31T15:21:00.000-04:002015-07-31T15:21:51.783-04:00Guest Blog: Deafness Compared With Other DisabilitiesDeafness is just another disability, right? A disability is just a wide term for any type of problem that sets someone apart from the masses. Everybody has their faults--stage fright, fear of deep water, relationship commitment issues, etc.--but disabilities limit essential faculties. By definition, they imply that the disabled are capable of less.<br />
<br />
Of course, deaf people, like all disabled people, are able to live and work just as other people do, but that doesn't mean that they can live and work exactly like them. With certain help, though, they get by.<br />
<br />
Here is where things start to branch out and instead of seeing the disabled as a single, large, unfortunate group, you start to see real individuals with actual problems, dreams, ambitions, loves, and much more.<br />
<br />
All disabled people have their troubles. Of course, they do not define the disabled, only characterize them. Like someone with ordinary anxiety who must undergo breathing exercises before speaking up in class or giving a presentation at work, the disabled just need a little help to produce the same results as other people.<br />
<br />
The best path to sympathizing and also accepting a disabled person is to distinguish their specific disability, understand their individual struggles, and relate to them as a person who, like you, has<br />
trouble doing regular human things sometimes. While the 2 latter steps occur as a personal task,<br />
something of a homework assignment for you to tackle with disabled friends, coworkers, and<br />
acquaintances, the former is actually quite easy. Just remember that being deaf, for example, is<br />
different from other disabilities.<br />
<br />
First of all, deaf people are often not given sympathy. Because the blind and people with certain<br />
mental disorders are able to communicate clearly and someone in a wheelchair or crutches can place a coffee order just like anyone else, a human connection happens and opens a pathway for sympathy to occur. However, deaf people are met with frustrated sighs--which they cannot hear, but can definitely see and interpret--shrugs, and cold shoulders as people refuse to step out of their comfort zones to communicate with someone who cannot hear.<br />
<br />
Second, deaf people do not face the same everyday dangers that other disabled individuals face. The paralyzed cannot bathe themselves and need help ingesting food, as choking is a huge hazard; many disabled people have trouble crossing the street or entering a building; and the blind should rarely be left alone in their homes. However, deaf people can take in and deal with most ordinary situations without significant risks. However, they should be careful around vehicle traffic because of their inability to hear sirens and horns honking. Of course, technology exists to minimize risks of harm for disabled people, like alarms for the deaf that expel light or vibrations and safety equipment that allows the blind to move through their homes without fall risks.<br />
<br />
Third, a person who is deaf can "pass" for a non-disabled person. If you were to look at a crowd of people going about their own personal business in a public square, you would be able to identify those that have cerebral palsy or another movement-limiting disorder, are blind, or are in a wheelchair. However, you could not "see" that someone was deaf. This allows for a sense of normalcy and blending in.<br />
<br />
Fourth, deaf people often have serious trouble finding employment. While employment discrimination against the disabled is technically illegal, plenty of employers get away with dismissive statements like, "Why would I hire someone who cannot answer a telephone?" or "They would be so hard to train if I can't speak to them!" Unlike the blind or those with disabled movements, deaf people are frequently unemployed and even homeless. While this certainly happens to people of all walks of life, the deaf are at significant risk of being ignored by employers, or really anyone who is held responsible for judging another person's capabilities with a business mindset.<br />
<br />
While all individuals--deaf or hearing-capable, disabled or physically average--have problems that make everyday life hard, it is important to understand how exactly the person near you is struggling with their day. Is your loved one stressed? Is a deaf person at a restaurant facing discrimination? Everyone has struggles and everyone can use the help. Knowing what type of problems people routinely face and how they affect their everyday lives can help you step in to help them, or at least say hello and try to relate. Everyone would feel a little more capable and accepted if we made this a rule.<br />
<br />
BIO: <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Heather Jensen is an Audiologist and Clinical Assistant Professor for Utah state University. She received her Doctorate of Audiology from Arizona School of Health Sciences in 2004. She has been an adviser for the student academy of audiology organization at USU for 11 years. Before coming to USU, she owned her own private practice, but decided she wanted to give back to the field of audiology by teaching students. When she's not working she spends time with her four children, she also enjoys doing hearing related humanitarian missions.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
Thank you to our guest blogger! For more information about Deaf Education, please visit: <a href="http://comd.usu.edu/htm/campus-programs/deaf-education" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;" target="_blank">http://comd.usu.edu/htm/<wbr></wbr>campus-programs/deaf-education</a></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-54318759036386788682015-07-22T13:51:00.000-04:002015-07-22T13:51:18.956-04:00ASK THE KIDS....AGAIN<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDxmk6m0PwSLpYu21podx2l74GNZVJx_crxhNVRzB9F7fRVrmYFX4AmEMJJIlvJHFSe7jt-gIuLq-b95nkrAIVcokRnKuz6fDZ1jiiuW-Dw8voCZ2gDLw69zXroTzyiRCX6jw5o2Xzw/s1600/Deaf+Proud+To+Be+Deaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDxmk6m0PwSLpYu21podx2l74GNZVJx_crxhNVRzB9F7fRVrmYFX4AmEMJJIlvJHFSe7jt-gIuLq-b95nkrAIVcokRnKuz6fDZ1jiiuW-Dw8voCZ2gDLw69zXroTzyiRCX6jw5o2Xzw/s1600/Deaf+Proud+To+Be+Deaf.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It wasn’t very long ago that I asked my kids some questions
about having a deafie for a mom. But it’s been long enough that I thought I
should ask again. Here’s the information they shared with me:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Are
you ever embarrassed that your mom is Deaf?</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
NATALIE: No. I don’t see why anyone
would be. I find it a good opportunity and a cool experience (Isn’t she the
greatest?)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
JACOB: No.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
MOLLIE: No. There’s nothing to be
embarrassed about. (I’m so happy they feel this way!)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Have
you ever had a time when having a Deaf mom helped you?</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
NATALIE: It helped to know who is
who at Silent Celebration. (Silent Celebration is a big Deaf/HOH get together
each summer with dozens of deafies, lots of conversation and games.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
JACOB: Yes. My ASL Class. My mom
helped me with ASL grammar, new signs, and doing a song for my end-of-class
project (Which he was great at).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
MOLLIE: I have met and talked to
many deaf people and helped with sign language. It also helped in getting a
job.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">What
do your friends say when they meet your deaf mom? Are they intimidated?</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
NATALIE: At first, they’re scared
and nervous, but they think it’s really cool and eventually it doesn’t phase
them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
JACOB: Not to my knowledge, but I’m
not in their head. Most of them don’t have a problem as long as I am there to
interpret.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
MOLLIE: Everyone is intimidated by
coming into contact with something they don’t know…someone from a different way
of life. But, after a while, they like you and get used to it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Name a
time knowing sign language helped you.</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
NATALIE: When I’m able to
communicate with people like you, the family and deaf and hard of hearing
people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
JACOB: It helped me communicate
with other deaf people at Silent Celebration (See above for an explanation of
what that is).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
MOLLIE: When I come into contact
with Deaf people who need help, I can voice for them or sign with them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Do you
consider yourself bilingual?</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
NATALIE: Yes, because I learned ASL
before I learned to speak.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
JACOB: Yes, because ASL is now
being recognized as a real language.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
MOLLIE: Yes.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">How
will you use your sign language skills in the future or with your future
career?</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
NATALIE: I want to be a therapist
and id a parent or kid is deaf, I can help them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
JACOB: To communicate with other
people.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
MOLLIE: In art, it helps to have
knowledge of different cultures to draw from. It’s inspiring.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="7" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">What
would you say to kids who have a deaf relative and are embarrassed?</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
NATALIE: It’s a good experience and
in this society with friends, they’ll find it really cool. Embrace it with an
open mind. You shouldn’t disown them for things they can’t help. Be proud.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
JACOB: Don’t be. They’re just like
you and me. Nothing to be embarrassed about.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
MOLLIE: Why be embarrassed. That’s
stupid. (LOL Her words,,,not mine.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="8" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Have
you ever used ASL in class when the teacher wasn’t looking?</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
NATALIE: Yes. In math class I
taught my friend, Anna, a few words and the ABCs. We could spell to each other
across the room. We talked in History class all the time.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
JACOB: I’ve shown my friends signs,
but I don’t use them in class.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
MOLLIE: Nope. (She’s just being
difficult.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, as you can see, being a Deaf mom doesn’t necessarily
have to have reprocutions for the kids. Just help them keep an open mind and
embrace your language and culture and all will be OK.</div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-65932740939512373152015-06-19T13:07:00.000-04:002015-06-19T13:07:44.255-04:00You Mean You Took ASL I and You're Not An Interpreter Yet?!?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
Ain't life grand? You often said you wanted to learn American Sign Language. "It's so beautiful," you'd always exclaimed. And it is (if you know what you're doing). So, after years of watching "Signing Time" and thumbing through "The Joy of Signing" while you have a free moment on the toilet, you're finally convinced to visit your area's community college and enroll in ASL I. You leave the college beaming--exuding excitement all over the place. (If you exude at my house, I'll expect you to clean it up. I'm just saying...)<br />
<br />
Class starts: Depending on which college's ASL class you attend, you learn ABCs, numbering, vocabulary, a few phrases, grammar, and a little about the Deaf culture and communication. You recognize that you're definitely not the best in the class,, but onward you trudge.<br />
<br />
The teacher gives the class a mandatory assignment that you have to go to a Deaf event and sign (no talking, please) with some deafies. You do, in fact, go to one at the neighborhood mall. Your teacher introduces you to some very kind, patient and understanding Deaf people, but mostly you find solace with some of the other members of your class.<br />
<br />
Finally, you finish! Class is over! Your teacher compliments your hard work and off you go into the world of wonders. You're bilingual now, right? I mean, you learned a lot. And it wasn't easy! Man, you can fingerspell both your first and your last name! What else could there be? It's not like you want to interpret for the President. You just want to be able to sing songs in sign (how did you like <i>that</i> for alliteration) and chat with the (gulp) "hearing impaired." What more could you possibly need?<br />
<br />
But life goes on. And although you continue to work on your fingerspelling and some signs, you seem to fall into a funk and resort back to that sinfully annoying woman on "Signing Time."<br />
<br />
Six months after you completed ASL I, you happen to see a table of people in an elegant restaurant, signing to each other. You stare--Trying to figure out if you can understand them. Nope--Not really. You go back to eating, wishing so much you could communicate with them.<br />
<br />
Heck with it! You get up and walk over to their table. They see you, so they stop signing and turn to you. "HI, I'M...," you get five out of the twelve letters of your name wrong, but you don't notice. The group at the table looks at each other, confused. One deaf man signs something you understand: DEAF.<br />
<br />
"DEAF YOU?" He asks in ASL.<br />
<br />
"NO," you sign. "I NOSY." The group breaks outs into guffaws and giggles. What you don't realize is that, though you intended to reply, "NO, I'M HEARING," your hand actually was too high and, well, maybe NOSY was the more appropriate sign anyway.<br />
<br />
Later, an elderly woman from the deaf table's group wanders over to let you know (by way of a napkin note) to keep studying and that it will get easier eventually.<br />
<br />
And it does get "easier." Well, maybe not. I guess I would rather say you become more proficient the longer you study it. <i>Seriously </i>study it. And what every knowledgeable teacher would tell you, the more time you spend signing with deaf and hard of hearing people (NOT just signing friends from school), the smoother and more fluid your words and presentation will become.<br />
<br />
To be totally honest, I gotta tell ya, taking one ASL class, expecting to be skilled enough to engage in even moderate conversation in sign (especially with a native Deaf person), is insane. But the next time you become upset with your signing, thinking you should be learning faster, imagine that it's German you're learning. Would you be so hard on yourself then? Well, a foreign language is a foreign language. American Sign Language is just as complex as any other. Give it time.<br />
<br />
So here's what you do: Give yourself a pat on the back for all you've already accomplished, sign up for ASL II, go to Deaf events as much as you can, and, sooner or later, you'll fulfill your wish of hangin' with the crew. Now, go study!<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-47494402791787244412015-06-08T11:32:00.000-04:002015-06-08T11:32:23.591-04:00"What Did She Say?"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
We walked into Olive Garden and were seated immediately. The place was quiet since we were early for the lunch crowd.<br />
<br />
"What would you like to drink?" was the waitress' first question. I knew what she was asking from past experience, so I went ahead and told her I wanted an iced tea and she went on her way. She returned shortly thereafter to take our food order.<br />
<br />
"Are you guys ready to order?"<br />
<br />
I watched as Kenny placed his order and then the waitress turned to me and started talking. Not knowing what she was saying, I went ahead and started to order. "I'll have the seafood alfredo, please."<br />
<br />
"OK." She said more, so I turned to Kenny to interpret. When he began to sign to me, the waitress' eyes grew as big as saucers. I found out what she was saying and answered -- just as clearly as I had before. She looked baffled -- as if finding out I was deaf completely blocked her brain waves. "Wh--what did she say?" She turned to Kenny to rescue her. "I didn't understand."<br />
<br />
Kenny signed to me to repeat myself and I did. Still the waitress stood there, unable to comprehend the words coming from my mouth.<br />
<br />
After a minute of repeating myself, I was visibly frustrated, so Kenny finished up the order and the waitress awkwardly walked away.<br />
<br />
That wasn't the first time a person was fine listening to me till he or she discovered I was deaf. People find out this information and all of a sudden tit's like the clarity of my voices dissipates and they can't understand me. But, despite the frustration, it's really quite absurd and I often have to laugh out loud. What is it in my voice that changes? Do I start to mumble? Do I start to slur my words like a drunken sailor? No! Nothing changes except the other party sees I'm deaf and that I need sign language to understand them. But since they don't know sign language (It's another story if they think they do), they assume we cannot communicate with each other and they have to ask my husband to talk for me. Nevermind, I've been talking all of my life and didn't lose the bulk of my hearing till I was 27!<br />
<br />
Because this happens so often when I'm out and about, I have repeatedly asked my family if my voice has changed. Some have said that my voice has gotten a little deeper, but most people emphatically tell me no. My voice is the same as before I went totally deaf.<br />
<br />
So why the comprehension problems? I believe it's gotta be in their heads. I mean, isn't one of the first things you learn about the "death" is that we also can't speak? Deaf mute, right? Before I sign, I look "normal." Then I use my hands and POW! I must be a mute. I must be "deaf and dumb."<br />
<br />
Well, let me take this moment to clarify. To not be able to hear -- no matter <i>how</i> deaf a person is -- does not in any way automatically mean they're not able to speak! Everyone has a past and you can't know a person's abilities simply by watching and/or guessing.<br />
<br />
Remember this blog the next time you meet a deaf person. Assume nothing! Get rid of all the stereotypes in your head. Just because a person has a disability or comes from a culture other than your own, doesn't mean they fall into a set of characteristics you learned as kid or even an adult. Keep an open mind! But I still have to laugh when people, who have been talking to me, all of a sudden can't understand me and need to ask my family, "What did she say?"<br />
<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-7013492584460137582015-05-31T11:54:00.000-04:002015-05-31T11:54:19.269-04:00I Have Rights!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfkT3j5EkRk5TywDZfsrez7otex5pOINjBC08UbOFkKvwpuyr-p6hIQEiSHL5-J9LhmqtoJQa982iWib0MWi8WRBn2y7AkcuAlei9Vr47h3DhVidPmdLKXS9MLqweMA8lYh383Hn2Xg/s1600/rights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisfkT3j5EkRk5TywDZfsrez7otex5pOINjBC08UbOFkKvwpuyr-p6hIQEiSHL5-J9LhmqtoJQa982iWib0MWi8WRBn2y7AkcuAlei9Vr47h3DhVidPmdLKXS9MLqweMA8lYh383Hn2Xg/s1600/rights.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic';">I have rights.
Just like everyone else, I have the right to leave my house without being
scared. Yet I am – scared, I mean. I’m not afraid of getting killed or mugged.
I’m not afraid of being put in jail or being in an accident. So, what am I so
afraid of? Communicating with other people.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Silly, huh? Of
all things to be frightened of, the one thing that terrorizes me is the chance
that another person will try to talk to me. Or that I will need to talk to
someone else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Why? Because I
dread the moment when I have to let them know I’m deaf. It’s the reactions I
get that bother me the most. That and the fact that, when I let them know, I
feel like I’m confessing to some unfathomable crime I committed or something.
Like I did something wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">The reactions are
always the same. Some people become bug-eyed and high-tail it away from me.
Some say they’re sorry, as if they’ve caused it. And some even laugh it off and
keep talking – even when I explain that I can’t lipread. When I ask if they can
write down what they’re saying, some people just wave me off. Of course, we
also can’t forget the ones who become angry and irritated – like I did
something personal to them and they haven’t got the time to mess around with
me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">Sure, there are
many deaf people who can shrug it off or who have gotten so used to it that
they don’t even notice. But that’s not me. I care. I notice. And it scares me.
It intimidates me. It makes me want to stay in my house – locked behind a hard,
wooden door – separating me from the cruel, cold world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">But is it really
the world that is holding me back? Can I make myself so invisible that I can’t
be hurt by the reactions I get from total strangers? I have the right to be
treated well, but can I really control what other people say or do? I don’t
think so. I mean, I may get hurt emotionally when I go out, but that shouldn’t
stop me. I can’t control other people. And if they are so ignorant that they
run for the hills or babble on even though I tell them I can’t understand them,
that shouldn’t be my problem. In my head, it is, but it shouldn’t be.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">I shouldn’t let
my fears win. If I want to go out to eat or browse around the bookstore or
serve on the PTO board at my kids’ school, then that’s exactly what I should
do!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic";">I have rights!
Believing that and pushing myself to go forward may scare the heck out of me,
but it shouldn’t stop me. And I don’t want to let it. So, I’ll fight. I’ll
force myself to go out – to shrug off people’s reactions until one day I can be
like the other deafies who don’t let it scare them. It might take a lot of time
– years. But that’s my goal. Who wants to live in fear anyway? Certainly not
me. So, look out world; I’m going to conquer my fears one way or another. One
day, I’m going to leave my house and not think twice about my fear of
communication. I know it. I have to believe it! One day…..<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-1786550249528639392015-03-31T14:47:00.000-04:002015-03-31T14:47:15.849-04:00Coincidences are Underrated--that's for sure!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nVSdwpUB7UrUDvAMm-JA3IgVnmtJzPuPC7oHON8ZKL9yL-dlDtSLPJSm0pVdJiV7TyTn1a52PBhX4hRkxkPsbO2mEs-1IwIXLCqv9s-JWSPVIRX-LdRXRQk3f4fIzERbz9dNR3C-hQ/s1600/hugging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nVSdwpUB7UrUDvAMm-JA3IgVnmtJzPuPC7oHON8ZKL9yL-dlDtSLPJSm0pVdJiV7TyTn1a52PBhX4hRkxkPsbO2mEs-1IwIXLCqv9s-JWSPVIRX-LdRXRQk3f4fIzERbz9dNR3C-hQ/s1600/hugging.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Who says coincidences are overrated? I must strongly
disagree. I know I’ve been shocked by things often, but there’s one time that
comes to mind that shows that life can throw unexpected joys at you when you
least expect it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I had just become totally deaf in both ears and I felt very
alone. Not having found my identity yet in the deaf community, I called the
contact person for the Association of Late Deafened Adults and asked about
information. They didn’t really have anything for me. I wasn’t interested in
lipreading (I am totally deaf—not just profoundly deaf—and a bad guesser from
the start) and they didn’t really focus on Sign Language, which I chose as my
main method of communication. But, although I found the organization more for
older people who lose their hearing through age, they did ask if I wanted the
contact information of someone in my area who was also “late deafened.” </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
I was shocked! I lived in town where the population was 200 and that included
all the cows and dogs. But there was someone else experiencing what I was
experiencing in my area? Wow! So, of course I took the information and then I
TTYed them right up. (This was a long time ago—long before video relays and
such). </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I finally was able to talk with Bob, I liked him right
away. He had a great sense of humor and, like mine, tended to be sarcastic to
the hilt. Kenny (my husband) and I met with him and his wife that very week.
For a few months, we got to know each other well and it was so nice to have
someone whom I could confide in. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Then one evening, it happened. Kenny had gone off to use the restroom and I was
showing them my photo album. I had been into scrapbooking for some time and was
showing off a little. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we sat and thumbed through the pictures, Bob got a
confused look on his face. He turned to his wife and asked, “Does that look
like Thelma? Why is Thelma Laflen in your scrapbook?” I replied, “Thelma Laflen
is my grandmother.” He looked at me and very excitedly said, “Thelma Laflen is
my aunt!”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Huge laughs and total astonishment, we quickly figured out
that that meant we were second cousins! In fact, he said he had even met my
parents at a family reunion a few years prior! How amazing! We hugged and
explained it all very excitedly when Kenny came back in the room. We were
family! How wonderful! Two people who had never met, hadn’t known anything
about each other’s existence were actually cousins! And both deaf at that!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So don’t tell me coincidences are overrated. I strongly
disagree. Coincidences can be life-changing just like the one I had. Our family
had grown. We were related and instant fans of each other. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Bob died of a heart attack a couple of years ago. We
were close, but circumstances had lead us to not see each other as often as we
would have liked. Don’t get me wrong. I miss him. I will always miss him. But I
know that he and my grandmother are up there in heaven celebrating. I’m also
certain they watched down on me as I went through finding my identity in the
Deaf world. Thanks, Bob. I appreciate it.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-88133848153767814112015-01-18T15:33:00.000-05:002015-01-18T15:37:27.776-05:00Service Dogs Are Awesome!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvL0ykYPH0JVhO5z1JjmlO3bHuSl_F4Bmn3kGbE4f5wHblMJqa0E501vZO9E4mxmx_Chp6xnUlWEhHGLRhbWyv5A5BkNfWMn6yMpkHh54zAmyX4iV1Sk9xHK1CG3pkt_iQuQzjyKlUg/s1600/service+dog.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghvL0ykYPH0JVhO5z1JjmlO3bHuSl_F4Bmn3kGbE4f5wHblMJqa0E501vZO9E4mxmx_Chp6xnUlWEhHGLRhbWyv5A5BkNfWMn6yMpkHh54zAmyX4iV1Sk9xHK1CG3pkt_iQuQzjyKlUg/s1600/service+dog.png" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If you check out the following link, you'll find that a war veteran was kicked out of a Taco Bell because he had a service dog. He had the dog for his PTSD, but the worker at Taco Bell said that he wasn't blind, so he didn't need a dog. Here's the link:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.abc57.com/story/27872883/army-veteran-kicked-out-of-taco-bell#.VLvv8DmBDvB.facebook" target="_blank">http://www.abc57.com/story/27872883/army-veteran-kicked-out-of-taco-bell#.VLvv8DmBDvB.facebook</a><br />
<br />
Service dogs have been around for quite some time, but people are still having to fight to be allowed public accommodations for them. People only think of seeing eye dogs, but there's service dogs for many, many conditions from physical to emotional. Not least of which is hearing ear dogs.<br />
<br />
Service dogs for the deaf and hard of hearing are extremely helpful and can be made to let you know if the doorbell or phone is ringing, fire alarm blaring, someone knocking on your door, get your attention for another person, medical emergencies, and many, many more jobs that they do so very well.<br />
<br />
I wish I had a service dog. There's a place nearby here called Paws For A Cause that trains service dogs and helps you find a match. I haven't applied, simply because I can't afford it right now and don't really have the time, but for people just starting out deaf (late-deafened adults) or born deaf-alike these wonderful pups can really make a difference in your life.<br />
<br />
The next time you see a service dog in public, try to remember the article above and remind yourself that one neednt be blind or even deaf to have some use of one. Support service dogs!!<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-80710977858241824742015-01-16T11:12:00.000-05:002015-01-16T11:12:20.673-05:00Sympathy? What's That?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTO1b24o_sNTvroknrbbh6E121d3qa_4XPLTiuv-4GNv8qGAuxTPw6O-icyLJBXnXaVNShkGD_6_YuUmZ_djE-1Y_3cu95U7zdSv6QuFR30VE7ijsapgpqhXGeXTCgaYHd8vAOQwYUA/s1600/sympathy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUTO1b24o_sNTvroknrbbh6E121d3qa_4XPLTiuv-4GNv8qGAuxTPw6O-icyLJBXnXaVNShkGD_6_YuUmZ_djE-1Y_3cu95U7zdSv6QuFR30VE7ijsapgpqhXGeXTCgaYHd8vAOQwYUA/s1600/sympathy.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I don’t write in my blog enough. I use to, but my depression
got the best of me and then I just ended up stopping. Couldn’t think of
anything funny to write about. However, even when I’ve got a world of writer’s
block in me, people still seem to find my blog and read it. I’m so, so happy
about that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I get people asking all sorts of things, like where an ASL
class might be located or if a certain situation really <i>did</i> happen. Some
want me to read books and give reviews about them (I’m not so good at that
since I really only read non-fiction and most of the books they want me to read
are fiction). But sometimes I do get requests to be interviewed. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In fact, last week I received an email from a teenaged girl
who “found” my blog and wanted to know if I would answer some questions to help
her with a project at school. Sure! Of course I said yes. Always happy to help
where I can. But, unfortunately, I couldn’t be of much help to her. See, her
project was to compare the kind of sympathy for the blind with the kind of
sympathy for the deaf. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The problem I ran into was that deaf people don’t really <i>get</i>
sympathy. Rolled eyes, we get. Frustration. Angry communicators. We get all
that. But very, very few people actually feel sorry for us. It’s more of a nuisance
to them. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Hi! I was just wondering if you could come speak with my
class about deafness.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“I’m sorry, what? Can you write that down? I’m deaf and
cannot lipread. I need you to write for me.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Nevermind. I’ll ask someone else.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Good luck with that! If you’re looking for a deaf person,
you better be ready to write at least some of your conversation. Or repeat it
slowly three times. (This, of course, does not include those who lipread like a
pro.) Fact is, communicating with a deafie can be difficult. Not always, but
often. And people don’t like that. In fact, they hate that! The thing is, deaf
people don’t <i>look</i> deaf. You can’t decipher a deaf person from a hearing
person just upon looking. So it’s a shock or a surprise or a grenade thrown
right in their faces if they find you can’t handle small talk. <i>No thanks.
I’m not up to that much trouble. I’ll just move on over to this other person. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And it hurts sometimes. They leave. Sometimes they just turn
and walk away without any acknowledgement. Ouch. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The blind, on the other hand, <i>are</i> visible. People can
and do sympathize with someone who can’t see this beautiful world. <i>Let me
help you across the street. Would you like me to read that to you? What do you
need? I can help!</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, I’m not blind and, in fact, I only know a few blind
people, so forgive my ignorance if I’m wrong. But they do get sympathy. I see
it all the time. It’s that inevitable question: </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
If you could be blind or deaf which would you choose? And
everyone chooses deaf. Why, “Because it would be easier. At least I can drive
(you do drive, don’t you?) and I would have to learn Braille. If I were deaf, I
could just learn sign language and everything would be normal otherwise.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ha! What’s “normal?” And as a matter of fact, if you learned
sign language, who exactly would you be signing to? Are all of your family
members and friends going to learn it, too? Will the world be able to cater to
you if you know ASL? Dude, you have no idea what you would be getting yourself
into.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, back to the question the teenager asked me (remember
her from above?). Compare the two, sympathy-wise. I can’t. They’re two totally
separate entities, each with unique and diverse experiences. I’d like to say
that no two experiences are alike, but that’s not true. That’s what makes this
blog helpful. Other deafies can read it and say, “I’ve been there.” Hearing
people can read it and be baffled at how ludicrous the situations are. Blind or deaf? Who gets more sympathy?
There’s no comparison because there’s very little sympathy for the deaf
population (though it’s not unfounded in some circumstances).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As for me, I don’t <i>want</i> anyone’s sympathy for my
deafness. I am part of a great community of people who have a rich and diverse
culture. I’m Deaf. I sign. It’s how I communication. Now, do I miss sound at
any time? Hell, yeah! I’d do anything to hear music again or listen to my kids’
voices (of which I’ve never heard). But I don’t need people looking at me like
I’m some fragile person who needs to be saved. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">I never heard back from the girl after I explained the
situation of deaf versus blind. Don’t know if she went to another source to try
to find an answer she liked better or if what I gave was sufficient and she
needn’t contact me again. That’s OK though. I don’t expect an answer. I do
wonder if it surprised her. I wonder if this surprises you. Did you already
know or is this news to you? </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-64178271041478233692014-12-24T12:05:00.000-05:002014-12-24T12:05:50.619-05:00The Christmas Doctor Dance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0Du4hLV1J-oqVSBM8uwoVDFZlPicpJGKmKjhG2E461USt9TJxBixnQbIDVv4jvaoiaP3WKegnu-zihJFtJAe_mKldp_BhEiLhpZA2hIQ6gzCmLJ3Afm99mxtxK8zqo8HYxdLhfNH8A/s1600/man_tap_dancing.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0Du4hLV1J-oqVSBM8uwoVDFZlPicpJGKmKjhG2E461USt9TJxBixnQbIDVv4jvaoiaP3WKegnu-zihJFtJAe_mKldp_BhEiLhpZA2hIQ6gzCmLJ3Afm99mxtxK8zqo8HYxdLhfNH8A/s1600/man_tap_dancing.gif" height="320" width="263" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s Christmas time. Time to be jolly and merry and all of
those happy-time feelings. I always try my best to stay in the spirit, but
sometimes it’s hard to do. For example, if people talk with me, I have to, at
some point, let them know I’m Deaf so they don’t think I’m just ignoring them.
But it seems that the words, “I’m Deaf,” are a real shocker to most people and
they may even come across as rude. But if I wrinkle up my nose and point to my
ear and very slowly nod, that doesn’t work either. Plus, it makes it look like
I’m apologizing and do I really need to apologize for being Deaf? I don’t think
so. I’m proud of it as far as the culture goes. So, sometimes just letting
people know I can’t understand them is a chore. It makes me feel guilty and it
shouldn’t.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On the other hand, there are people out there that, when I
tell them I’m Deaf, they have an altogether different response. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Yesterday was a busy day. Two days before Christmas, lots of
people out there buying last-minute gifts and food for the holiday. Kenny and I
had to go to his doctor. He has some skin marks that look like they may be
precancerous (or cancerous) and he needed the doctor to scrape them off and
send them to the lab to see what the next course of action should be. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Everything went well. I was seated at the end of the table
where I had a straight shot to see the doctor do his stuff. First, he gave Kenny two local anesthetics.
I know how much those hurt, so I cringed. The doctor looked over at me and said
something. I, not wanting to get into a conversation about hearing and not
hearing, simply smiled and nodded. (Many times that is NOT a good idea.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The doctor then got a scraper (I think that’s the technical
term. Or maybe “doohickey”) and started doing his deed. He kept glancing over
at me, but I never saw his lips move, so I just ignored it. Finally, I saw that he said something and
his assistance smiled. I had no choice, but to let him know I’m Deaf. His
reaction? He started to mime. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, I don’t know if I prefer a roll of the eyes, a person
telling me they know some sign and start signing their ABC’s, or people who
start gesturing obnoxiously, but this time it was interesting to see him move
the way he did. You know? You don’t see doctors dancing and convulsing very
often. So I watched intently and then waited for the explosion. I finally guessed what he was trying to
convey. Many people who watch the procedure he was doing end up fainting and he
was making sure I wasn’t going to follow suit. I assured him I was fine and I
didn’t think I would faint. Then he finished up and left. Right before he left,
he turned to me and said something like, “Have a nice holiday.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
That was nice.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See? So some people, when I tell them I am Deaf, give me the
deer-in-the-headlights look or roll their eyes and turn away (usually saying
“Nevermind.” I’ve learned to lipread “Nevermind” fairly well). Some people get
way too excited and then trap me for a half an hour with the little (and I mean
little) sign language they know. But some people will do what they can to let
me know what’s being said by writing (my preference), gesturing, or some other
way to get their point across. The doctor did the latter and it worked out
great. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Now we just wait for Kenny’s lab results. But I can be
assured, if I ever have to see his doctor again, he’ll be just as pleasant as
he was yesterday. And that, folks, is a relief.</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-72077936064356467942014-12-14T10:01:00.000-05:002014-12-14T10:01:29.963-05:00Etiquette Lost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-je9ZGC-uHUGZBCyqZBD-byhA29QrN7-shPZNs_z7-UwPY0wcDZ-j5zDX62EG0nwB8Fy6O0POTD6sB3P3dq-PcBVfHgn7egC4TZLjetX1Wx1ZIXhRF2tpCUKwnhmAP0NfYn9bK5D30Q/s1600/old+woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-je9ZGC-uHUGZBCyqZBD-byhA29QrN7-shPZNs_z7-UwPY0wcDZ-j5zDX62EG0nwB8Fy6O0POTD6sB3P3dq-PcBVfHgn7egC4TZLjetX1Wx1ZIXhRF2tpCUKwnhmAP0NfYn9bK5D30Q/s1600/old+woman.jpg" /></a></div>
Every culture has their own ideas of etiquette. For example, in America, it's polite to shake someone's hand when you meet them. In Japan, people greet each other by bowing. The same idea holds true for the Deaf Culture. We have various traditions and ways of minding our manners.<br />
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Today, I'd like to discuss what to do when you see two people or a group of people signing. Or rather, what <i>not</i> to do. Don't burst into the crowd and start asking questions. You would think that would be a no-brainer. At least you would <i>think</i> that.<br />
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A couple of weeks ago, Kenny and I were signing at a neighborhood Speedway (gas station). We're deep in conversation when a robust older woman starts punching at Kenny's shoulder--actually causing him pain. When Kenny chose to hold up a finger to the woman (no, not the middle finger) and continue on with our dialogue, the woman actually swung Kenny around and grabbed his hands to get him to stop.<br />
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"Are you using that, um, hand language?" she asked ignorantly.<br />
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"My wife and I are using American Sign Language to talk, yes." Kenny has so much more patience than I do.<br />
<br />The old lady then asked, "Why?!?" and said it as if what we were doing was incredulous.<br />
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"My wife is deaf. It's how we communicate."<br />
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"Why would you marry a deaf person? You're not deaf...are you?" Kenny's patience was wearing thin and I was getting pissed.<br />
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"Ma'am, did you need something? My wife and I are trying to have a conversation."<br />
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That's when she started grotesquely waving her hands about and laughing. Before she left, she mumbled to herself, "What a waste of time."<br />
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We don't encounter situations that often that are so blatantly rude, but it happens. And just to make it clear, do NOT do what that old lady did. If you do, you're risking being smacked silly by several people.<br />
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All this frustration, rudeness, and ignorance when all she should have done was wait for a break in the conversation and lightly touch Kenny's (or my) shoulder. However, in this scenario, I don't think it would have turned out much differently. Some people simply haven't got a clue. <div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-6076766093941121882014-10-15T12:36:00.000-04:002014-10-15T12:36:03.021-04:00Before and After<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGsheZNxfz7SUwnxt8vaXw4ZqGeTS3UVU8Sqsdwg_W-89s7SrRLR4E2Ib8euvEqtemt19Unu2wNtJNULK_Yre72Kdh-eRYQ26WEGzAZopkVVOwTbbrVyRsJ7uX0ufvy-zgAnahXlvxw/s1600/michele_at_ranch_2007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGsheZNxfz7SUwnxt8vaXw4ZqGeTS3UVU8Sqsdwg_W-89s7SrRLR4E2Ib8euvEqtemt19Unu2wNtJNULK_Yre72Kdh-eRYQ26WEGzAZopkVVOwTbbrVyRsJ7uX0ufvy-zgAnahXlvxw/s1600/michele_at_ranch_2007.jpg" height="200" width="171" /></a></div>
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Through different social media, I am getting back in touch with different friends from high school. I attended three high schools (Sugarland, TX., Valrico, FL., and Belleville, IL.) and in no school did I have an IEP or attend special classes for the deaf and hard of hearing. In fact, despite my deafness on my right side, I was in three different choirs my senior year and sang and participated in theatre throughout my entire high school experience. I don't think many of my friends even knew I was deaf on my right side and hard of hearing on my left.<br />
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So, when I find them on Facebook and they find out I'm now totally deaf and depend on American Sign Language to communicate, they're all pretty much surprised.<br />
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Isn't it interesting? The things you discover about people from your life whom you thought you knew? People tell me about their lives and what they're doing now. I can't help but be excited for them or sad if something has happened. But then I find out things about them that I guess they assumed I knew about and it gives me a whole different perspective on them and our friendship from long ago. People really are a puzzle, aren't they? I guess that's a good way to be, Keep people guessing.<br />
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As for me, I never really hide anything. If people are surprised about me, I can certainly understand why, but my life is an open book. Ask me anything. I've got nothing to hide. Well, maybe <i>something</i>, but I can't think of anything at the moment. Give me a minute....<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-4160206129668333072014-10-06T13:13:00.000-04:002014-10-06T13:13:56.428-04:00Feds Loosen Rules For Deaf Truck Drivers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnLI2ja6Oq315y3m8vYa5yXlhQ5CMW3T_FosTMYmd-iWPJHMZYDee2O3ytKBbnV_mY_IpGt4nkr49IR6wTFJvVRZx6kpDOT1p5NctvmjH-rsYs7I6EkSZTrjE8_VrK2fL2JAByRefpQ/s1600/truck.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivnLI2ja6Oq315y3m8vYa5yXlhQ5CMW3T_FosTMYmd-iWPJHMZYDee2O3ytKBbnV_mY_IpGt4nkr49IR6wTFJvVRZx6kpDOT1p5NctvmjH-rsYs7I6EkSZTrjE8_VrK2fL2JAByRefpQ/s1600/truck.png" height="158" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 15px;">Hearing-impaired truck drivers should not be prohibited from operating commercial motor vehicles because of their disability, federal regulators said Tuesday.</span></div>
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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced it will loosen longstanding <a href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2014-23435.pdf" style="outline: none; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: black;">English language requirements</span></a> for truck drivers who are deaf as long as they can still understand traffic signs and signals.</div>
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"The English-language rule should not be construed to prohibit operation of a commercial motor vehicle by hearing-impaired drivers who can read and write in the English language but do not speak, for whatever reason," the FMCSA wrote in the <em>Federal Register</em>.</div>
<div class="p1" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;">The requirements are intended to make sure truck drivers understand the rules of the road, but the FMSCA said some state agencies have misconstrued the rule by denying commercial drivers licenses to people with hearing impairments.</span></div>
<div class="p1" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px;">
"Because some hearing-impaired drivers granted exemptions do not speak English, it has been asserted that they may not meet the requirements and may not be qualified to operate commercial motor vehicles," the agency noted.</div>
<div class="p1" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px;">
After the National Association of the Deaf complained, the FMCSA said it will grant exemptions to hearing-impaired truck drivers who demonstrate that their disability will not affect road safety and does not put other drivers in danger.</div>
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The rule goes into effect immediately. </div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-39198839362478687842014-09-24T16:22:00.000-04:002014-09-25T09:21:02.485-04:00Hearing Loss and Depression May Be Linked? You Don't Say!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqau5skrQUEVOGih56cLliOgPkPwSCtNFI8FfjQ-_PvukjgmXBjDHAe4c0qkzQWs-HIToHrsUF01lG4k9cMG8dhkh_6rw26lJOzxnAHzfScUos4b1ikKJnASP_W279xoj-LYnAWujwQ/s1600/depression5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCqau5skrQUEVOGih56cLliOgPkPwSCtNFI8FfjQ-_PvukjgmXBjDHAe4c0qkzQWs-HIToHrsUF01lG4k9cMG8dhkh_6rw26lJOzxnAHzfScUos4b1ikKJnASP_W279xoj-LYnAWujwQ/s1600/depression5.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br />
According to new research, hearing loss is associated with depression among American adults, especially woman and those younger than 70. No! You mean if someone starts to lose their hearing they may become depressed? Who woulda thunk?<br />
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I can remember the first few months when my hearing loss went from still using the phone to no hearing whatsoever. Boy, was it stressful! My family hadn't quite make the connection, I couldn't read lips (still can't), I had a newborn baby (and two other young children as well) I couldn't hear, and I couldn't even communicate with my husband. It was horrible! To top it off, I have clinical depression already, so I was a mess.<br />
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Because I have depression, I already isolated myself, so when I became deaf I had to make sure to seek outside resources. I called an organization and asked if they had any ASL classes for deaf people who already know sign language, but want to work on their ASL grammar. I figured it would be hard to find, but, lo and behold, they had an upcoming class! I remember going to one (after I'd been going for a while) and just totally breaking down. My 3-year-old had been trying to communicate with me and I couldn't understand her. It was heartbreaking and everyone there understood.<br />
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I made it a point to start teaching all three kids ASL (now they're all almost fluent) and my husband and I practiced constantly. It was a very tough few months, but I was lucky to have the support. Imagine if you had none! All of a sudden you couldn't use the phone, hear your kids talk or babies cry, have small talk with people when you left the house, watch the TV, or any number of things. How would you handle it? (Just as a side, deaf people can do all of those things, but newly deafened people rarely know about how to go about it.)<br />
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To make new research even more absurd, it stated that the depression was most pronounced in ages 18 - 69 and mostly in women. 18 - 69?? That just about covers everyone, Seems like a big age group to me. I don't believe that it's more in woman other than 1. women tend to seek help more often than men, and 2. women, in general, have depression more than men.<br />
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If you are newly deafened, by all means get out there! Find a buddy and vent. But mainly, if you have a hearing loss, you need to go to an audiologist or otolaryngogist (otherwise known as an ENT) to be diagnosed properly.<br />
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You don't need to be fully deaf to grieve for the loss of your hearing. Losing it in any range can be devastating. Whether you lose it in increments or all at once, the loss can feel more than one can bear. Please know you're not alone. There are others like you out there. Depression isn't something to ignore. And, by all means, if the depression gets so bad you start to contemplate suicide, please go to an ER and tell them how you're feeling.<br />
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So, depression and hearing loss linked? Wow! There's a revelation. But don't minimize the pain. It can hurt like hell and it's not all on you. Heck, if you need a friend, leave a comment here and I'd be happy to chat with you. You're NOT alone.<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-727796483119054706.post-78643796823813136872014-09-22T16:00:00.000-04:002014-09-22T16:01:40.883-04:00Deaf Awareness Week is September 22-26, 2014<h2 style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; color: #236c8b; font-family: Garamond; font-size: 26px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">
From <a href="http://signingsavvy.com/">SigningSavvy.com</a></h2>
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<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13.63636302948px;">Deaf Awareness Week this year is September 22-26, 2014. Deaf Awareness Week, also called International Week of the Deaf (IWD), is celebrated annually and ends with International Day of the Deaf. Deaf Awareness Week is celebrated by national and regional associations of the deaf, local communities, and individuals worldwide.</span></div>
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The purpose of Deaf Awareness Week is to increase public awareness of deaf issues, people, and culture. Activities and events throughout Deaf Awareness Week encourage individuals to come together as a community for both educational events and celebrations. </div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">www.DeafExpressions.net</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0