I have been profoundly deaf since I was almost 3 so I really don’t know any other way to be. I respect @filmfann‘s wife’s choice to get a cochlear implant—some deaf people want to hear and opt for CI’s for various reasons. I will never get one as I much, much prefer to be deaf and am very happy to function in this way. I am part of a close-knit international community of sign language users and love my community. Some people in the sign language community use CI’s, some don’t—the ones who don’t are like me and have no interest in hearing. The only thing I’d like is to be able to hear music, but I’ve found ways to appreciate music without hearing.
Baby’s cry, daughter saying, “Mommy,” birds in trees—people think I have lost something, but I can see them and because I depend on my eyes so much, my visual identification skills are enhanced and I deeply appreciate what I see. I understand those sounds are out there but… how many people zoom through life taking their eyes and ears for granted and don’t appreciate them. I might not hear, but I sure as hell appreciate what I see, feel and how I interact with others. Except for a few moments here and there, I don’t feel isolated or at a loss…but then again, how many people can hear, but do feel isolated and at a loss from time to time?
A lot of people see deaf as DIS ABLED. That means, not able. That’s a way of looking at people from a deficit model— “You do not have the function of one tiny organ so you are NOT able.” Uhmm…really?! How about all the other organs, cells and functions of my body, i.e. my brain? They’re just fine. What do I have? I have my language, my hobbies, my family, my thoughts, ideas, passions, stubbornnesses, my friends, education, home, car, athletic ability, dancing ability, arms, legs, eyes, nose, ability to play the drums, etc etc! I have, so I do not, in any way, consider myself disabled. It’s only with those that aren’t willing to communicate with me that I become “not able” in one area of my life- I approach all people with the desire and ablility to communicate, but if they block my attempts, they disable me, not the other way around.
My question is… I don’t have my ears, but I have many other things… everyone is lacking something but they are not disabled? If that perception changes, I think everyone will be more comfortable with “disabled” people. (and by god, don’t call me differently able.) This concept applies to the other “disabilities,” too.
If anything it’s my shyness that “disables” me far more than my hearing loss.
It is very different for people who are losing their hearing—that’s different—they know what they’re missing and are losing that access slowly. That’s hard, very hard. I don’t know to live with hearing, so I don’t feel any loss.
If someone does not want to get surgery, does not want hearing aids, then there are many different ways to bypass communication barriers. I’ll stop here—if y’all want more information, I’ll be happy to share.