04-25-2008, 10:47 AM
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#2 (permalink)
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Professional Writer.
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Minnesota.
Posts: 3,281
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dWrite
I am technically hard-of-hearing... but after many years of experience with the hearing culture acting like I can hear everything (although my ability to lip read and speak is profoundly well) when that is truly not the case.
I became frustrated with being taken advantage of and annoyed with the way they would act like I didn't need interpreters, note takers, etc. I grew up mainstreamed and well-versed in the hearing culture whereas I felt out of place.
Now my question, is it ok for a hard-of-hearing person to call themself "Deaf"?
Does that ignite certain hard feelings or aggravation?
Why do some Deaf use the term "true Deaf"?
Am I wrong for calling myself "Deaf" and demanding others to love me for me and not look at my deafness as a disability but just a part of life that I was given to bear?
Just want some input...
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dWrite,
As many here would say, you can call yourself anything you want. I am like you, but I consider myself deaf. "True Deaf" deals with Deaf culture (note the D is capitalized), which means that the Deaf (culture) are in their own little world and are very militant in protecting it. You and I, as well as most of the people here would not be accepted. shel90 is, but she is grafted in, as Deaf Culture didn't look after her when she was growing up and she got in due to being at Gallaudet University in D.C.
Where I live, the deaf don't really like talking to me because I'm very oral AND I have a hearing dog. Some did talk to me at the Signing Santa this past Christmas, but for the most part, they're quite hostile, even though one of their beloved's was a teacher of mine who taught my asl class and did talk to me. Otherwise, I've taken the advice of several friends here and choose to ignore them. I give that advice to you. If they don't accept you, want to talk to you or anything else, that's fine. You don't need to waste your oxygen talking to them, or the energy that saps your body, either! 
__________________
Pete
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