Deaf community and Mental Health/illness

racheleggert

racheleggert

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PLEASE NO BASHING! THANKS!

I have noticed that many years, some people I know have MI or MH, and they have been made fun by deaf people, and feel unwelcomed in the deaf community, and they tend to hide... any ideas why, and how can we improve to be more welcoming them to be involved?
 
racheleggert said:
PLEASE NO BASHING! THANKS!

I have noticed that many years, some people I know have MI or MH, and they have been made fun by deaf people, and feel unwelcomed in the deaf community, and they tend to hide... any ideas why, and how can we improve to be more welcoming them to be involved?
Click to expand...

That is sad and not right. There is so much prejudice towards people with MI. Education is the key. EDUCATE OTHERS.
 
What specific mental issue are we talking about here for yourself, racheleggert?

It's natural, but unfortunate, to be afraid of someone who may not have full control of their mental facilities. I'm also concerned about people who downplay mental issues that are actually rather incapacitating one's ability to do real contributing work in the world.

I felt rather insulted that I graduated high school with a deaf girl who was mentally retarded, when I took all the hard mainstream courses while she never left the special education classroom and was still working on multiplication tables in 12th grade. There weren't any "exit exams" at that time, but in my opinion, she didn't meet any testing requirements to graduate from high school except that she was 18 and had been socially promoted through the school.

Again, this was a girl who had difficulty grasping multiplication tables, writing critical thinking papers for English courses, learning menial tasks such as doing homework or getting the correct books for a class outside of the Sp Ed class. Yet, she has a high school diploma.

In any case, mental illness is no laughing matter. I do regret that I made fun of that girl all the way through to high school, but neither do I truly believe that she accomplished anything to deserve NOT to be ridiculed.
 
Dennis said:
In any case, mental illness is no laughing matter. I do regret that I made fun of that girl all the way through to high school, but neither do I truly believe that she accomplished anything to deserve NOT to be ridiculed.
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Why does she NOT deserve a high school diploma?

Just because she is mentally retarded does not mean she did not accomplish anything to get a high school diploma? If she worked hard, then I say she deserved it. And, no matter what, people like her should not be ridiculed. It's sad.

BTW...Mental Illness and Mental Retardation (I prefer the term mentally challenged) are two different things.
 
LuciaDisturbed said:
BTW...Mental Illness and Mental Retardation (I prefer the term mentally challenged) are two different things.
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You know what, you're absolutely correct. I can't believe I was thinking of one thing that was fully not on topic. Mental illnesses like Tourette's, schizophrenzia, multiple personalities, borderline personalities, etc. Thanks for the correction.

Why does she NOT deserve a high school diploma?
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I have minimum qualifications to hire for certain positions at work. One of those requirements is "have a high school diploma or GED." These positions require 12th grade reading and writing levels. I can see someone graduating from high school with a 3rd grade reading level applying for these jobs and screaming "discrimination" because they can't read or write at the minimum level.

Since we serve all levels of education through those employees, we have to be able to achieve satisfaction for the middle ground, which is high school level education. I believe someone who graduates from high school yet can't read or write at a high school level should not be graduating, period.

I will fully admit that my belief impacts people with mental illnesses too, such as those with dyslexia who are bright but cannot understand written instructions. You give these people an oral test, and they'll do great, but put it in writing and they'll never succeed. It's unfortunate, but until we cure those illnesses, we'll have to continue to have problems with people graduating without meeting the high school graduation requirements.
 
Dennis are you saying that people with Learning Disabilites have a mental illness?

I really think mental Illness is a made up thing to sell drugs. I mean I know someone who had schizophrenia who's parents wanted to lock her up but her twin sister took care of her and now she's a homeopathic doctor!

In April, a University of Massachusetts and Tufts University study
found that 56% of 170 psychiatric "experts" who helped work on the
latest edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders(DSM) had financial links to drug makers. These links make it
impossible for psychiatric patients to get honest unbiased treatment.
Read today's NewsTarget article to discover how Big Pharma profits
influence the diagnosis and treatment of mental health patients and
why many adults and children on psychiatric drugs would be better off
without medication.

Get the full story at http://www.newstarget.com/019403.html
 
Dennis said:
I have minimum qualifications to hire for certain positions at work. One of those requirements is "have a high school diploma or GED." These positions require 12th grade reading and writing levels. I can see someone graduating from high school with a 3rd grade reading level applying for these jobs and screaming "discrimination" because they can't read or write at the minimum level.

I will fully admit that my belief impacts people with mental illnesses too, such as those with dyslexia who are bright but cannot understand written instructions. You give these people an oral test, and they'll do great, but put it in writing and they'll never succeed. It's unfortunate, but until we cure those illnesses, we'll have to continue to have problems with people graduating without meeting the high school graduation requirements.
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Well, nearly all jobs require a GED or high school diploma. There are so many mentally challenged people who DO have the ability to do their jobs but are unable to write well or do math or whatever. What really matters is if they are able to complete their job physically (such as janitor, etc) but unfortunately most jobs still require a GED or high school diploma. If the mentally challenged are not allowed to get a GED or high school diploma then how will they get a job when they turn 18? It wouldn't be fair, especially if they are able to do their jobs and be independent.

FYI....dyslexia is not a mental illness, it is a learning disablity. Tourette's is not a mental illness, either. It is actually a neurological disorder.
 
Dannie said:
many adults and children on psychiatric drugs would be better off without medication.
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WRONG. TOTALLY WRONG.

I know people who do NEED medication. Off medications, they are out of control, unable to take care of themselves, etc. On medications, they are able to accomplish things as living independent, taking care of themselves and not being a danger to themselves or others.

Geez.

Would you want to deal with a mentally ill person who is NOT on her or his meds? I wouldn't! I have before, and it was NOT fun. In the end, that person attempted suicide.
 
Check out the side effects of anti-depressents at www.dangerousmedicine.com

I'am on disabilty because of the disabilities from taking Paxil for two years. After I stopped I had migraines everyday for five years! And it also leaves one half of your body numb and spinning for quite a few people who've taken this drug!
 
Dannie said:
Check out the side effects of anti-depressents at www.dangerousmedicine.com

I'am on disabilty because of the disabilities from taking Paxil for two years. After I stopped I had migraines everyday for five years! And it also leaves one half of your body numb and spinning for quite a few people who've taken this drug!
Click to expand...

ALL medicines have side effects. It's how you deal with it. If you cannot tolerate the side effects, then tell your doctor about it and he might be able to put you on a different medicine with less severe side effects. Sometimes on some medicines you will experience bad side effects, other times you don't notice it. Not everyone reacts the same to the meds. It really depends.
 
Cruel ignorance has always been part of deafhood and that's why I'm happy I'm not part of deafhood. Deafs tend to pick on people with mental challenges because they need something to cover the pains of their own identity crsis.

Rachel if people pick on you, ignore them. Because trying to make yourself acceptable to them only adds salt to the wound you got from their ignorance.

Just ignore them be strong and be happy.

Richard
 
Famous People with Disabilities (the answers to the quiz)
http://www.ny.nrcs.usda.gov/about/civil/famousanswers.html

So do you also think Winston Churchill had a mental illness because he had a learning disability?
We should also list people like Hitler, Bush and Moses’s brother!

And by the way, doctor's do work for the Pharmaceutical companies!
Ask anybody who works for a doctor unless their a holistic or Environmental and Nutritional Doctor, or Naturopath!
 
Dannie said:
Dennis are you saying that people with Learning Disabilites have a mental illness?
Click to expand...

Even though learning disorders are focused more on the educational aspect of one's life versus behaviorial aspects of one's life, I still think because they're both related to the brain / neurology, that LDs should be classified as mental illness.

The problem with my perspective is that LDs can't be treated or cured with medication. I guess it's akin to trying to change someone's skin color by psychology, whereas mental illnesses can be managed via drugs and doctors. You can't give someone a pill to help them read correctly, or help them understand numbers better.

Anyway, I've only rarely socialized or worked with people who have a history of mental issues. I wouldn't go making fun of them, but neither were they the easiest to be around.
 
Dennis said:
Even though learning disorders are focused more on the educational aspect of one's life versus behaviorial aspects of one's life, I still think because they're both related to the brain / neurology, that LDs should be classified as mental illness.

The problem with my perspective is that LDs can't be treated or cured with medication. I guess it's akin to trying to change someone's skin color by psychology, whereas mental illnesses can be managed via drugs and doctors. You can't give someone a pill to help them read correctly, or help them understand numbers better.

Anyway, I've only rarely socialized or worked with people who have a history of mental issues. I wouldn't go making fun of them, but neither were they the easiest to be around.
Click to expand...


I don't agree with u on this one about LD, my son has it so is my husband has it. They do not show any mental illness, I do not know where u get those ideas. I have two sisters who does not have LD, they have MI due to pstd, they act differently between my men and them. No way, people with LD do not have MI. My cousin had MI and spend in and out hospital for many years till he died last year. Not same thing, I don't know why some people alike u would assume LD and MI are connected. I had my son evaulation by school pyscology and unds he has trouble with audiotary (mispelling) short term memory. He lives a normal life, yes it has not been easy because of discrimantion against him just alike rest of us deafies.
 
racheleggert said:
PLEASE NO BASHING! THANKS!

I have noticed that many years, some people I know have MI or MH, and they have been made fun by deaf people, and feel unwelcomed in the deaf community, and they tend to hide... any ideas why, and how can we improve to be more welcoming them to be involved?
Click to expand...

That's why I stopped social with deafies in deaf community more than 5 years ago... I am speaking of twin cities in minnesota..

they are so immature, backstabs, wont leave you alone and talking nasty on others.. they dont know how to move on or put things in past.. It's sad..

I have better life than this.. maybe you need to do so..
 
Well it depends.....SOME people with mental impairment or mental heath issues really wouldn't fit in anywhere. I'm slightly LD myself , but the diffy between me and that kid who've I mentioned previously who goes around and talks about the skin on his arms is just so drastic. Some people with MI or MH just act so messed up that they don't really fit in anywhere.
 
Dennis said:
I have minimum qualifications to hire for certain positions at work. One of those requirements is "have a high school diploma or GED." These positions require 12th grade reading and writing levels.
Click to expand...

Oh, really? So, what makes you so "special" sunshine? :blah: If people can't read, it's because their school hasn't taught them. Did you know, hotshot, that your local newspaper is written at the seventh grade reading level? Yet, you INSIST others read at the 12th grade level? I see a problem here and it sure isn't with those who have trouble reading.
 
Dennis said:
I felt rather insulted that I graduated high school with a deaf girl who was mentally retarded . . .


In any case, mental illness is no laughing matter. I do regret that I made fun of that girl all the way through to high school, but neither do I truly believe that she accomplished anything to deserve NOT to be ridiculed.
Click to expand...

Rachel wants us to be nice, so I'm gritting my teeth and will address your issue, Dennis, without bashing the daylights out of you.

First, you "fet insulted." You didn't explain why; neither did you show any concrete evidence that this deaf girl was mentally retarded. How do you know she was "mentally retarded?" Did you talk to her doctor? Did you see her health chart at the school? Did you see her test scores? Did you talk to her teachers and/or volunteer to help in the special education department?

Your last two sentences, starting with the word, "In" and ending with, "ridiculed," doesn't match what you addressed. You said it was no laughing matter, yet you made fun of her, laughed at her and made her (and quite possibly her family) to feel bad. Now you come to alldeaf.com and post this, hoping that people here will have sympathy FOR YOU. Let me re-emphasize what you had said about this young lady that she did nothing to deserve being ridiculed. So, why did you do it?

With that thought, Dennis, did you know that I'm hoh and have a hearing dog with me nearly at all times? Do you know how many people stare and point at us, gawking as if we're some sort of freak show? :roll: People ask me the most stupid questions, yet I'm supposed to smile and answer them for free, never mind the fact that they are interfering with a hearing/service dog team. Do you think I could interrupt them while they're out and about and ask them personal questions? What do you think they'd say? To answer that, use your imagination and add some curse words for flavor, that's how they'd respond.

Now, sorry Rachel for sounding huffy today. Stuff like this just gets me going and I don't excuse anyone who does it.

As for "educating" people? Surely you're jesting? My rate is $100/hour with a two hour minimum, cash and no checks or credit cards, prepayment required, then I will "educate" them, not a moment earlier. These people can go to google.com or yahoo.com and search the search engines to their hearts desire regarding service animals or whatever they'd like to learn. It's not my job or another deaf person's job to "educate" people. Time is too short for that.
 
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