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From: Ann.Stalnaker@p0.f14.n385.z1.fidonet.org (Ann Stalnaker)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: sign, mainstreaming and deaf communities
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Date: 12 Mar 91 05:17:50 GMT
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[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Perhaps I need to clarify a few things, Fran - while my dad was very
strict as he was determined his children were not going to speak
like most deaf people are (and he was right in feeling this way because
so many do not read/speak/write English properly - I don't mean to
be rude in stating this, am just being very honest as it's the truth)
and I don't feel he would have expected so much from us if he hadn't
known we were capable of it.  I am the oldest and I was almost 4
years old before they realized I was deaf because I was able to lip
read and speak very well, even though perhaps not distinctly but
then on the other hand, a lot of small children do not speak clearly
at a young age.  Before I entered the first grade (I was 5 at this
time and in kindergarten), I was taken to a very good and well known
specialist at Northwestern University Medical Center in Chicago and
was tested thoroughly and told to be enrolled in public schools due
to my lipreading skills and the fact I could speak very well.  I
had extensive speech therapy at home as well as privately.  By the
time my brother and sister were born, my parents knew if they had
any more children, all would be born deaf.

It is true we all were mainstreamed and we were not a part of the
deaf culture, but that doesn't mean we were not exposed to those
who were a part of the deaf culture.  My brother is the only one
who knows sign and is very proficient at it - in fact, he is a certified
oral/sign interpreter.  He even taught at the Arkansas School for
the Deaf but ended up quitting after 3 years as he felt his hands
were tied in helping these children.  This is a whole 'nuther story
that I think is best that I don't go into detail on.

I will never agree with the theory that ASL should be taught first
as I know from experience it should not be the case - perhaps for
some but in most cases, no.

There are many who are like I am and I hope there continues to be
more in the near future - but regardless of what communication mode
we use, we will never break the barriers down until we work as a
whole.  You will never see "hearie" or "deafie" in any of my messages.
I think the whole ideal of using those labels sucks as we really
shouldn't use labels.

I don't mean to take all of this out on you - just wanted to clear
up a few things.  I realize James and Jay will never be able to discuss
any of this on a rational basis, so it's best that I refrain from
making any more comments to them.  Of course, we all have the right
to our viewpoints but there is no need to take it out on others when
they differ from your own.  I am very opinionated but I'm also fair
and I don't lose any sleep over trivial things like ASL/Oralism but
it does bother me a great deal on some of our other rights which
I think are far more important at this time.

Just because I stated I felt it best that I didn't continue this
thread doesn't mean I'm being a quitter - that is something I never
do and those who know me know this to be true.  Wayne, Jack, Frank,
Laurie and I know each other personally, some know us better than
others.  It is hard to exchange messages via this medium and try
not to offend someone else.

--
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