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Originally Posted by rockin'robin
Not too sure about "pointing it out!"....but making a subtle note of it, I believe it fine, as long as it doesn't offend the person....But, all in all, highlighting a deafie's achievements, making it known to the hearies, can and should be a good thing!...The more deafies are exposed, the more hearies will realize that deafies can do whatever is set before them, except to hear.
I do get sick and tired of hearies saying.."Oh, she's deaf...let her in the front of the line"...or giving me "special" priviledges. I like to feel equal, not inferior, and I make that known very much.
There was this hearing Lady, not too long ago, that was grilling on her BBQ grill, and the flames were touching the tree limbs....we're not allowed to grill outside where we live (rules)...so I reported it.....and she got mad and said..."you reported it because I am disabled!"....(she was in her 50's, and I do not know her disability, but know that she was NOT deaf and not in a wheelchair)....I laughed and told her..."you are disabled?....well, I'm deaf....but not disabled"...She shut up right then!
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There you go. I don't see a problem with making a mention of it as in "and she happens to be deaf". But to mention it in the context of "despite her deafness" is making the disabled factor jump to the forefront and it actually downplays the actual accomplishments. JMO
When my son was in kindergarten, a picture appeared in our local paper of him jumping on a trampoline during the school's physical fitness week. The caption read: "Hearing impaired student, ....." I immediately notified the paper, for 2 reasons: one: the use of "hearing impaired", and two: I asked them if it had been another student would the caption have read "Hearing student..." I let them know that hearing status had virtually nothing to do with him jumping on a trampoline and did not need to be mentioned at all.