Thoughts of a Deaf Child

jillio

jillio

New Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2006
Messages
60,232
Reaction score
19
I'm sure most of you have read this poem, but one of my deaf students brought me a copy. He carries one in his wallet. I thought it was very touching, and says so much in a few words that I wanted to post it in case someone hasn't seen it.

My family knew that I was deaf
When I was only three, and since then fifteen years ago
Have never signed to me.
I know when I'm around the house,
I try and use my voice,
It makes them feel more comfortable;
For me I have no choice.
I try, communicate their way
Uncomfortable for me.
My parents wouldn't learn sign
Ashamed or apathy?
I never cared about the sounds of radios and bands;
What hurts me most is, I never heard
My parent's signing hands.

Author Unknown
 
Good poem,
but why carry it with you all the time?

Pass this one along..

Perfect That Way
Lyrics:

She was born a little less than perfect
at least in that doctor's eyes
he said that she'll be different
much more than you ever realized
that girl grew up not knowing
the sound of her mama's voice
God's gift to her was silence
in a world so full of noise
and she sings with her smile
and talks with her hands
she listens with her heart
so she always understands
she believes there's more to life
than the sounds that it makes
she's perfect that way
shes got a sign for the thunder
one for the wind and the rain
she's the kind that keeps you laughing
and the first to see your pain
and she sings with her smile
and talks with her hands
she listens with her heart
so she always understands
she believes there's more to life
than the sounds that it makes
she's perfect that way
she believes there's more to life
than the sounds that it makes
she's perfect that way
she was born a little less than perfect
at least in that doctor's eyes​
Click to expand...
 
Yea, it is a great poem and one that I and many of my deaf friends can relate to.
 
Cloggy said:
Good poem,
but why carry it with you all the time?

Pass this one along..
Click to expand...

Gee, I don't know cloggy. I guess you would have to ask the CI implanted college sophomore I work with.
 
Awww It's sweet and sad at the same time but I feel for this person who wrote this poem. ;)
 
Very touchy poem, I like it....Thanks for sharing it Jillo :) ...
 
jillio said:
Gee, I don't know cloggy. I guess you would have to ask the CI implanted college sophomore I work with.
Click to expand...
Touchy... no offense..

But instead of getting defensive and bitchy, think about my lacking english skills.... I don't know any better....

Anyway, how do I reach him/her...??

(And I enjoyed your feedback on the poem I passed on to you... Please pass it on to the "CI implanted college sophomore"... )
 
Cloggy said:
Touchy... no offense..

But instead of getting defensive and bitchy, think about my lacking english skills.... I don't know any better....

Anyway, how do I reach him/her...??

(And I enjoyed your feedback on the poem I passed on to you... Please pass it on to the "CI implanted college sophomore"... )
Click to expand...

You asked the question, I answered it as best I could. As I am not the one who carries the poem in my wallet, I directed you to the person who could answer your question. If he agrees, I will be happy to pass his email address on to you, although I doubt seriously that the two of you would have much in common.

Obviously, you don't know any better, or you would not have used the word "bitchy" in your reply. You owe me an apology for that one, although I doubt seriously that it will ever be forthcoming. And defensive--sorry, don't see it. Leave the psychological assessments to those who have expertise in the area.

The CI implanted sophomore already knows he is perfect as he is, and that awareness was hard won for him, as he has had many negative experiences resulting from his deafness, the majority of which were due to parental and educator lack of acceptance of his needs despite his CI and oral skills. Hence, his ability to relate to the words he passed on to me.
 
Cheri and Angel,

You are welcome. The poem kind of gets right to bottom of it all, doesn't it? And touches your heart at the same time.
 
jillio said:
You asked the question, I answered it as best I could. ...........
Click to expand...


"Gee, I don't know cloggy. I guess you would have to ask the CI implanted college sophomore I work with."

That's the best you could do !!! And it's not bitchy.....

OK... I agree... I don't speak your language !
 
The poem is touching but I don't see it in reality. That's not to say it doesn't happen but from my perspective its not the norm. I know many parents of deaf kids and they are all involved with their children including learning to communicate with them by any means necessary. In some cases sign is the only means and while at times its a struggle, they still step up and do what is necessary. I only hope that in today's world there are not that many parents with the mentality of the parents in the poem. In fact, I have yet to meet a parent of a deaf child that isolates them and treats them that way and doesn't learn to communicate with them. If I did I would most likely end up in trouble.
 
rockdrummer said:
The poem is touching but I don't see it in reality. That's not to say it doesn't happen but from my perspective its not the norm. I know many parents of deaf kids and they are all involved with their children including learning to communicate with them by any means necessary. In some cases sign is the only means and while at times its a struggle, they still step up and do what is necessary. I only hope that in today's world there are not that many parents with the mentality of the parents in the poem. In fact, I have yet to meet a parent of a deaf child that isolates them and treats them that way and doesn't learn to communicate with them. If I did I would most likely end up in trouble.
Click to expand...

I have seen too many of that from my students, from my friends' parents and myself with our families.
 
shel90 said:
I have seen too many of that from my students, from my friends' parents and myself with our families.
Click to expand...

I think deaf people can see right through hearing parents better than hearing parents would see through another hearing parents, that's just my opinion. ;)
 
jillio said:
You asked the question, I answered it as best I could. As I am not the one who carries the poem in my wallet, I directed you to the person who could answer your question. If he agrees, I will be happy to pass his email address on to you, although I doubt seriously that the two of you would have much in common.

Obviously, you don't know any better, or you would not have used the word "bitchy" in your reply. You owe me an apology for that one, although I doubt seriously that it will ever be forthcoming. And defensive--sorry, don't see it. Leave the psychological assessments to those who have expertise in the area.

The CI implanted sophomore already knows he is perfect as he is, and that awareness was hard won for him, as he has had many negative experiences resulting from his deafness, the majority of which were due to parental and educator lack of acceptance of his needs despite his CI and oral skills. Hence, his ability to relate to the words he passed on to me.
Click to expand...

I and many of my friends definitely can relate to this young man even though many of us have great oral skills. Guess until people really experienced what it is really like, they will never understand.
 
Cheri said:
I think deaf people can see right through hearing parents better than hearing parents would see through another hearing parents, that's just my opinion. ;)
Click to expand...

I agree..it may look like I am just chatting away with my family members but it is not the same as if I am chatting away with people who can sign. The conversations with my family members are more surface while the conversations I have with people who sign are much more in depth and the connection is felt.
 
Back
Top