Being a Deafie myself, I know a lot of deaf gays, and lesbians. I've asked them how they 'became' gay (those who hate that kind of questioning know that the deaf culture is way more straightforward than the hearing), and some of them have said it was because of their experiences in the dorm at the schools. It's incredibly easy to experiment in those places - raging hormones, kids of the same sex stuffed 6 to 8 in a room... come on! I went to the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, and I can tell you, there are a LOT of 'out' gays/lesbians/bisexuals there, and a high percentage of them live in the dorms.
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, I was born deaf, and although I don't personally scream when frustrated, I had a deaf special needs roommate who did. Man, what a howler! Really, it's just a personal quirk for some people. There are people (deaf or otherwise) who use "scream therapy" to help them calm down, and others who don't.
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, - This reply was modified 8 years, 6 months ago by
Ashley.
Contact the Gallaudet University, NTID... these are 'the' schools for the Deaf. I'm no athlete, the most I do is excerise my eyeballs with my books...
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class,
I've been asked that question before by my friends. My hearing loss (at birth) is due to a rare medical conditon called ectodermal dysplasia. You can do research on that if you like. It's affected my hearing in that the skin in my ears don't conduct sound very well - otherwise, the ears are fine. Without my hearing aids, I can hear very loud noises. With them, I can hear about as well as you, except the speech is like if everyone were speaking a different language. I've never heard a pin drop, or other small objects. I just don't hear it. I can hear glass shattering, my dog barking... but 'quiet' sounds, I can't hear. Challenges/difficulties... I think, mostly communication. I can speak well, so it's served me well. What do I still need to overcome? Probably finally getting my co-workers to learn signs....! *grin*
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, Weird sort of a reverse-freckles thing, maybe? But, has he had a STD test, just to be absoultely sure?
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, Do try! I can lipread, but man it gets sooo tiring. I always appreciate the effort that a shy new signer puts forth - and I'm the patient sort, and love to see how well they've learned so far. So, try your best, and ask the regular Deafie u mentioned for signs for the most common words. Have fun!
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, From the other posts I've read on stuttering, you did exactly the right thing. Although, you could have tried to engage him in conversation - from what I understand, stuttering is made worse by nervousness.
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, They're mouthing the words. Facial and body expression is a huge part of the ASL. It adds dimension and emphasis to what is being said. Being Deaf myself, I speak ASL fluently (there are other signed languages. Complicated), and I mouth myself. It's a way to help us understand what's being said, really. If I was talking to another Deaf person who did not mouth while signing, I would have a harder time understanding them.
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, I'm deaf too, and I'm good with sentence structure. I'm always looking for a new friend...! Email me at DameLyon@aol.com, or IM me at DameLyon. Chat with ya later!
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, Frankly, I am a bit surprised. I was born deaf, though with no problems that affected my mental capabilites. I've worked in the FL School for the Deaf's special needs department as a dorm parent. Most of these kids, in addition to being deaf, have a hard time with handling their emotions, very few with mental problems. To be honest, I *wish* that the school would stop thinking that these kids, because of their problems can't learn academics. They're worth the extra effort, and they're sooo affectionate and loving. You went to college for your work - Why? You need to look at that, seriously. This very likely is not the job for you.
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, It *is* dumbing down, but since that's what he is able to understand, then it's acceptable. If you had tried to write normally, it would confuse him. As long as both sides are able to understand (and if you stop trying to insert all the little words where it should be, it might help), then it's fine. Whatever works, and be sure of this, he is appreciative that you are trying.
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, Medical science views meidcal problems as 'problems' that need to be 'fixed'... That's fine, but when that 'problem' is part of a community, then it can become a bit complicated. Hearing parents don't want the problems, decisions, choices associated with having a deaf child. They turn to the doctors, who say, Well, we have a solution! We can fix this. Problem solved! And hearing parents go for it. Deaf parents understand the culture that they are a part of, and don't want their Deaf child to miss out. Believe me, this is an incredibly rich culture, with a heritage that would surprise you. And I'm proud to be a part of it.
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, I'm 24, 5'2', small - framed and eternally stuck at 95 pounds. I'm forever trying to gain weight - I *look* fine, but after almost wringing my doctor's arm to check the above with the bmi index, he had to admit I was right - I'm underweight. I also have a very fast metabolism, and hate the fact if I miss one meal, my weight drops. I understand what you mean!
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, I was born the only deaf child in a all-hearing family (including extended family). I don't hate my parents, I had alot of love (and spoilings!) from my family. They didn't treat me any less than they did the other family members. I also don't hate God, I'm grateful. I love being Deaf, and being in the Deaf culture. And besides - Deaf is cool! We can talk with our mouths full (Ohh betcha didn't think of that, eh?), talk 'loudly' in a library, across the room with a friend.... ehhh why would I hate that? *GRIN*
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, I was born deaf, and I can say that the cochlear implant idea is offensive in more ways than one. As some of the others posted, it feels as if the Hearies are trying to 'make' us one of them. That, I'm afraid, is the main reason why any parent would choose to do this to their child. They want their deaf child to BE hearing. Plus, not only is the skull being drilled into, but also the inner ear is destroyed in order for the implant wiring to be connected. For that reason, there is only one implant given. That, and if the child is given this, that eliminates any sports opportunities. Football? Forget it. Basketball? Nope. These sports would pose a risk of destroying the implant and possibly additional injury to the child.
User Detail :
Name : Ashley, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Disability : Deaf, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : St. Augustine, State : FL Country : United States, Social class : Middle class, 
Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences 
