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?

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"Andrei, did you ever feel as if something had been promised to you in your childhood, and you look at yourself and you think 'I didn't know, then, that this is what would happen to me'-and it's strange, and funny, and a little sad?"

Deafness

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shel90

U have a good point but I think the difference between being deaf and having BIID is that people with this condition sometimes do themselves bodily harm while deaf people dont. That is kinda hard to disgest and accept. Just being honest here.

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~Shel~

doh

Let's be honest: lots of people hurt themselves: suicide, alcoholism, smoking, self-harm, eating disorder (although I'm not 100% certain that after the first few conscious acts it is under their control)... not limited to people with BIID I think. Except that BIID usually need to harm their (often) otherwise healthy body to be what they think is normal for themselves.

I can't understand why people drink so much or smoke but I understand suicide and self-injury. Maybe it's just perspective. What I get out of self-harm (cutting ) outweighs not doing it - it's cost/benefit and the benefit outweigh the cost. Maybe the same for BIID.

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Monkey, killing monkey, killing monkey.
Over pieces of the ground.
Silly monkeys give them thumbs,
They make a club.
And beat their brother down.
How they survive so misguided is a mystery.
Repugnant is a (not dismal) creature who would
Squander the ability to lift an eye to heaven, conscious of his fleeting time here

jillio

No one said that they are less deserving. You are entitled to view it in any way you wish. I am giving my professional assessment. They are not less deserving, they are in need of treatment for a serious psychological disorder. To encourage them to continue in their illness does not benefit them.