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From: Vixen@f11.n203.z1.fidonet.org (Vixen)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: GOOD TEACHERS VS. BAD ONES
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Date: 12 Mar 91 05:21:17 GMT
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[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]

Hi Fran,

Yes, I think that is true, if a person does not have a care or good
thought fopr me, why should I then waste precious time and emotion
worrying about such in return? It is more difficult to forget
completely, those who hurt us directly, but I think it is important
to just forgive it and move on. I just wish forgetting was as easy
as forgiving. It is'nt always, is it!

Actually, I have been visually impaired for a good many years and
legally blind for as long to one degree and the next. To that part
of my life, I am pretty well adjusted.

However, the biggest amount of my hearing has been lost over the
last year and one half to two years. I came to the ABLED conference
with what was a "significant" hearing loss in my left ear. I had
just been tested and was without firm diagnosis as to what caused
that loss. However, when my left ear "really" began fading out of
the picture and then my right one (better) along with it, then came
the journey of more visits to the Hearing and Speech clinic and
doctors and my ear surgeon. In short, I experienced two rapid and
sharp drops in hearing levels. (it was at this time that my ear
surgeon started giving The Hearing and Speech Clinic, Voc Rehab and
Medi-Cal the word to get off their butts and help me.) My loss
continues.

As you probably already know, at this time, I wear BTEs on each ear
and use a booted FM system as well. (I had a PocketTalker quite
awhile back but went through that like Zip!)

As to whether or not I am getting any support or emotional help,
the answer is no, none whatsoever. I see no counselors, I am often
told that I must face my hearing loss and learn to deal with it on
my own and some just don't seem to have the time for me. So, as you
can imagine, I do have a lot of "pent up" emotion to carry around.
So far, SilentTalk and ABLED are the only place I have to turn to.

Yes, I understand your point regarding "disabled - Challenged." As
for myself, I "personally" do not think of disabled as a "negative"
state of being. Rather I think of it as just being a part of who I
am. In truth, it is not being "disABLED" that is the problem so
much as it seem a problem that abled persons "misunderstand"
disability.  Although, I do enjoy a good dabate over
termininologies and labels. (re: My preference for being referred
to as Hearing Impaired rather than Hard of hearing.)

It is funny what Images we all hold when we hear certain names and
termininologies!

Keepin' the faith!

.                            Vixen

..."Hussien insane 'til the very end!"

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