A vent, dont try to dissuade me.

Jamie,,,

I have no Solution to your problem, Because every one of us been there too. It's like some closed society that I have not yet to figure out...I just feel like screaming sometimes but that wont help. I'd love to find a hearing aid that concentrates just on speech as it would make my life such simpler and not so hard..I realized that there are some people who simply enjoy inflicting pain on others. Instead of getting mad at them, I learned to pity them. I have hopes that someday, they will be ashamed and perhaps refrain from hurting someone else, make it clear to them that you will not tolerate their behavior.


Jamie, I think you're very fortunate to have someone in your life who's willing to do what it takes to communicate with you which that is ur boyfriend...Screw the other Hearing People who wouldn't give you a time of a day to be helpful and communicate with you.

Again, I am sorry that you are very upset I wish there more I can help you with, But honestly I don't know how to. :(
 
Jamster -- I've been there in your shoes before -- being treated like some second or third class person...thinking I'm not normal because I couldn't hear what they said to me.
I wish I was born hearing so I'd not go through the misery of getting those looks from people at shops when I tell them to please repeat what they said because I didn't catch it the first time round.
But again, that's part of the sad truth that the hearing population (some of them, not all) are under educated about the deaf community, communication modes we use, and deafness.

It's frustrating and upsetting, I know. We'll just have to keep on pushing and ensure they get educated a bit from us here and there --
 
I think all we can do is to be kind to those who do not know better. ;)
After all, we've got the upper hand... right?

I do understand the frustration and the hurt in interactions with some hearing people who just don't know better. You know what they say about people being mean only because they are afraid. But not all hearing folks are like that, fortunately!

That's the great news. :)
 
Liza said:
I think all we can do is to be kind to those who do not know better. ;)
After all, we've got the upper hand... right?

I do understand the frustration and the hurt in interactions with some hearing people who just don't know better. You know what they say about people being mean only because they are afraid. But not all hearing folks are like that, fortunately!

That's the great news. :)
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:) I like that.

I was thinking of making a little business card with information I think hearing people should know, and I'd leave it with people who are rude, and in random places. Like "not all deaf people can lip-read" "those who do can never catch 100%" etc etc.. ya kno? :)
 
pinkster said:
I was thinking of making a little business card with information I think hearing people should know, and I'd leave it with people who are rude, and in random places. Like "not all deaf people can lip-read" "those who do can never catch 100%" etc etc.. ya kno? :)
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That sounds like a good idea. At least that is a positive action.

Another positive idea is Deaf adults going to schools to make awareness presentations. For example, at our Christian school, our Deaf church member went to class and showed the kids his hearing aid, his TTY, vibrating alarm, etc., explained using an interpreter and lip/speech reading, handed out sign language "ABC" cards and pencils, and answered their questions. Kind of a "show & tell" session. You can hand out FAQ sheets or pamphlets about deafness, ASL, Deaf history, that the kids can take home for the parents to read. You can probably get free handouts from government agencies, or download and print documents. For little kids you can maybe give a picture to color, or simple word puzzle.

Anytime a "grown up" makes a presentation to kids, the kids are impressed. Think about when you were a kid. It was fun to have a policeman or fireman come to your class and demonstrate things. Really simple things impress kids. Just showing how you can "whistle" with HA feedback is cool to the little ones.

With older kids (middle school, high school), you can also explain to them some of the negative feelings. Tell them how it hurts when hearing people are rude to you. Teens are very sensitive to societies injustices. Maybe bring a terp with you who can suggest interpreting as a career.

Nothing can entirely remove your pain and disappointment. I will not lie and say thay I totally understand because I can't. Your feelings belong entirely to you. But I do sympathize and pray that things will get better for you.

By doing something positive, even just handing out cards, you are taking control of your life and situation. Go for it! :applause:
 
Reba said:
That sounds like a good idea. At least that is a positive action.

Another positive idea is Deaf adults going to schools to make awareness presentations. For example, at our Christian school, our Deaf church member went to class and showed the kids his hearing aid, his TTY, vibrating alarm, etc., explained using an interpreter and lip/speech reading, handed out sign language "ABC" cards and pencils, and answered their questions. Kind of a "show & tell" session. You can hand out FAQ sheets or pamphlets about deafness, ASL, Deaf history, that the kids can take home for the parents to read. You can probably get free handouts from government agencies, or download and print documents. For little kids you can maybe give a picture to color, or simple word puzzle.

Anytime a "grown up" makes a presentation to kids, the kids are impressed. Think about when you were a kid. It was fun to have a policeman or fireman come to your class and demonstrate things. Really simple things impress kids. Just showing how you can "whistle" with HA feedback is cool to the little ones.

With older kids (middle school, high school), you can also explain to them some of the negative feelings. Tell them how it hurts when hearing people are rude to you. Teens are very sensitive to societies injustices. Maybe bring a terp with you who can suggest interpreting as a career.

Nothing can entirely remove your pain and disappointment. I will not lie and say thay I totally understand because I can't. Your feelings belong entirely to you. But I do sympathize and pray that things will get better for you.

By doing something positive, even just handing out cards, you are taking control of your life and situation. Go for it! :applause:
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That sounds really good, for personal places like school and work. But I am 20, no longer in high school, and I go to college when I can. I work a job at a small company (no more than 35 employees.) My problem is strangers, customers, etc. =/
 
pinkster said:
That sounds really good, for personal places like school and work. But I am 20, no longer in high school, and I go to college when I can. I work a job at a small company (no more than 35 employees.) My problem is strangers, customers, etc. =/
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Sorry, I didn't mean you would be like the students. ;) I mean that you as a grownup representing the Deaf community could go to the schools as a guest speaker, like the way police and firefighters do. You could be the adult role model for the children (and teachers) to know what a real live functioning Deaf person is like. Then those children will not grow up ignorant about Deaf people, and hopefully they can also influence their parents to know more about Deaf people too.

Yes, really you can "dress up" and roll your book bag full of goodies into the classroom and do a presentation. The teacher will introduce you, "Class, this morning we are honored to have Mrs. Pinkster visit our classroom and tell us what it is like to be a Deaf person in America." Then you briefly tell the kids your story and experiences, and show them all the neat stuff you brought in your bag. Let them touch the equipment. Then let them ask you questions, and you give them their handouts and pencils to keep and take home.

(Other neat stuff to bring for kids: cookies shaped like "I Love You" hand and ASL stickers. Not too expensive.)

You say, "Boys and girls, I really enjoyed meeting you today. I hope you will remember this good time we had together next time you meet another Deaf person. Please share this information with your parents. Thank you for letting me visit your class. Bye bye!"

If you are nervous about it, start with little kids, then move up to teens. Little kids appreciate any break in the routine, especially if you give them little trinkets to take home.
 
Reba said:
Sorry, I didn't mean you would be like the students. ;) I mean that you as a grownup representing the Deaf community could go to the schools as a guest speaker, like the way police and firefighters do. You could be the adult role model for the children (and teachers) to know what a real live functioning Deaf person is like. Then those children will not grow up ignorant about Deaf people, and hopefully they can also influence their parents to know more about Deaf people too.

Yes, really you can "dress up" and roll your book bag full of goodies into the classroom and do a presentation. The teacher will introduce you, "Class, this morning we are honored to have Mrs. Pinkster visit our classroom and tell us what it is like to be a Deaf person in America." Then you briefly tell the kids your story and experiences, and show them all the neat stuff you brought in your bag. Let them touch the equipment. Then let them ask you questions, and you give them their handouts and pencils to keep and take home.

(Other neat stuff to bring for kids: cookies shaped like "I Love You" hand and ASL stickers. Not too expensive.)

You say, "Boys and girls, I really enjoyed meeting you today. I hope you will remember this good time we had together next time you meet another Deaf person. Please share this information with your parents. Thank you for letting me visit your class. Bye bye!"

If you are nervous about it, start with little kids, then move up to teens. Little kids appreciate any break in the routine, especially if you give them little trinkets to take home.
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Hmm. That sounds.. Nice. A bit out of my character but yeah.. :) Start young, prevent ignorant adults.. ;) I dont even own any deaf trinkets or equiptment.. I dont even own a tty =D But I see what you're saying. Its a good idea
 
:ty:

pink.... didnt mean to invalidate your vent, i mean, that was pretty good...

reba, i can tell that you're a pretty strong person. :) i think these ideas are good, and would probably be great if they were backed up by various organizations... deaf and nondeaf related. the more people know... :)

on another level...

we all can do what we can do in the moment, i suppose... i remember when those kids on the city bus were mocking and laughing at me and a friend, cos they saw us using ASL-- but know what i did? I just smiled at them, and showed them the real signs-- they were just shellshocked... were really silent the whole trip until their stop. the girls in their class were laughing at them, after scolding them to not tease us. i waved bye to them as they got off... they were still in shock, and they seemed to feel a bit bad already. LOL. i just hope their encounter with me will change their minds about wanting to learn signs... maybe, just learn some kind of good stuff from the encounter. they seemed to be really good kids.
 
Yup, always take the high road even if it just kills ya; you will be the better for it and you will receive your just rewards in many different shapes and forms as you travel the highways and the by-ways(especially the by-ways!)of this thing called LIFE!.

P.S. Not to mention this process "thickens the skin", too; except it will be like using Dove vs Lava soap! LOL! Hey where did that come from? Jeezzzz, I better go......
 
Liza said:
:ty:

pink.... didnt mean to invalidate your vent, i mean, that was pretty good...

reba, i can tell that you're a pretty strong person. :) i think these ideas are good, and would probably be great if they were backed up by various organizations... deaf and nondeaf related. the more people know... :)

on another level...

we all can do what we can do in the moment, i suppose... i remember when those kids on the city bus were mocking and laughing at me and a friend, cos they saw us using ASL-- but know what i did? I just smiled at them, and showed them the real signs-- they were just shellshocked... were really silent the whole trip until their stop. the girls in their class were laughing at them, after scolding them to not tease us. i waved bye to them as they got off... they were still in shock, and they seemed to feel a bit bad already. LOL. i just hope their encounter with me will change their minds about wanting to learn signs... maybe, just learn some kind of good stuff from the encounter. they seemed to be really good kids.
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I didnt think you invalidated it.. :confused:
 
Mrs. Pinkster
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I don't know why but this cracked me up! 'Sides Jams isn't even married!
I actually agree with Reba.....it is frustrating having to deal with ignorant hearie strangers, but a lot of times they just act like that b/c they don't really know how to interact with people with disabilties. Doing an awareness seminar or even handing out a card would be awesome and raise awareness...on the other hand some people like that(like a lot of Wal-Mart clerks and other stupids) are so beyond out of it that they'd probaly wouldn't even realize they'd been OWNED.
 
deafdyke said:
I don't know why but this cracked me up! 'Sides Jams isn't even married!
I actually agree with Reba.....it is frustrating having to deal with ignorant hearie strangers, but a lot of times they just act like that b/c they don't really know how to interact with people with disabilties. Doing an awareness seminar or even handing out a card would be awesome and raise awareness...on the other hand some people like that(like a lot of Wal-Mart clerks and other stupids) are so beyond out of it that they'd probaly wouldn't even realize they'd been OWNED.
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;) Sometimes I feel married.. cook, clean , laundry, sex.. err did i say that? :angel: yeah anyways I think a little mini card wld be cool.. i think when I have more money (after we move into our new apt in sept) i'll work up something :)
 
Mini-cards sound like a feasible idea to thrive on and get a message across...*wonders if using a mini-stop sign and holding it up ONCE you feel awkward or uncomfortable...and then once the person sees it and stops dead in their tracks, then turn the stop sign around and it will have the message displayed!* Hmmm...good luck on your endeavors pinkster! :cool:
 
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