Originally Posted by Aleser

I don't see it that way. First, humans as a whole, we crave acceptance. If (in another world) I wanted to be deaf, I'm pretty sure I'd want to be accepted into the Deaf community. And frankly, the only thing I find shocking and creepy about what's been discussed in this thread, is how people on this forum treat others. How on -earth- can we argue that being deaf is okay, that it is at least a neutral if not a positive, and at the same time call people who want to be -just like us- freaks? It speaks volumes about how not-okay we are with deafness, or for that matter any disability mentioned.

Second, maybe they're just defending themselves? I, too, would (and do) defend the groups I identify with. If someone on a strange forum made fun of or insulted deaf or deafblind people, I'd probably be tempted to join and pick an argument with them. The same applies if they expressed disgust over my religion, nationality, ect. I want to be treated with respect and I want to be regarded as a human being, just like everyone else does.

Why should some complete stranger be less deserving of that simply based on the fact that they have a disability -different- than mine? Who am I- heck, who are we, to treat people with BIID like interesting circus animals?