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From: Ann.Stalnaker@f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Hearing
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Date: 17 Jan 90 02:09:41 GMT
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Index Number: 6261

Laurie, hope you don't mind me jumping in but I don't exactly blame 
the hearing world for all of the attitude problems that so many of 
the HI have.  I, too, was raised in the hearing world (was not even 
exposed to the HI world until a few years ago) and even though I knew 
a few deaf people, it was most interesting to find out that most HI 
people have a fear of not being able to understand what is being communicated 
to them.  They often get mad or impatient and thus crawl back into 
their own little world.  It's really very sad because there are a lot 
of hearing people who are willing to break the communication barrier.
 
I think that's why I frown so much on ASL as I feel it's the easy way 
out and feel that all HI individuals can lip read and speak along with 
signing.  I know...I know...I'm going to get some flack for this but 
it's not impossible.  It's true that not all are as adept as others 
but it can be done.  Should have started long time ago but at least 
small children are being taught now.
 
I, too, have had other HI people tell me that I act more like a hearing 
person than a deaf one but they don't seem to resent it, at least, 
not the ones I've come in contact with in the South and East coast. 
 I've had many of them tell me that they learn a lot from me and you 

can't imagine how that makes me feel.  (Don't mean to brag but it's
a wonderful feeling.)
 
I just feel in order for ALL of us to educate the WORLD, we are going 
to have to give a little bit more and I think in time the rewards will 
far outweigh the past problems.  Perhaps I'm wishing for the moon but 
I've always tried to have a positive outlook even though I've had my 
disappointments like everyone else, just don't let them get me down.
 
Perhaps we should move this discussion over to SilentTalk, eh?  That 
is if we ever get moving smoothly....
 
-  Ann
 

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