Doing Deaf Differently ~ Re-inventing and Re-defining Differently
Doing Deaf Differently. Hear Indiana coined it up for their conference, DBC Indiana rallied because of it.
This is not to put down, disagree, what have you’s on either organization. Rather, this is to explore each view and mission.
Exploring doing deaf differently with different perspective might, for some, connotes the term pessimistically and for others optimistically. We can actually take that word and make it work for both and all. In other words, the term doing deaf differently can be interpreted in more than one way.
It does not have to be taken negatively context wise, it could just simply be a ‘new direction.’
It can allow you to expand yourself in new and creative ways, perhaps.
It can challenge your assumptions, for example, many things which you may have taken for granted may turn out to be incorrect. It may, in fact surprise you. It may, open new possibilities.
Since you go “out of the box”, things which are normally not in your radar may now come to life. You may find that some of these new things are very interesting and useful.
Hear Indiana hosted their annual education conference and went with the theme “Building Partnerships” and in their press release headline, Hear Indiana is ‘Doing Deaf Differently’ in the 21st century. An excerpt of their press release states:
“It truly is amazing how far we’ve come. It wasn’t that long ago that some cultures relegated the deaf to mental institutions because they didn’t know what to do with people who had this disability. Today, modern technology and oral deaf education allow deaf and hard of hearing people to hear, speak, and communicate with their family, friends, and co-workers. That means that a child born today with hearing loss can grow up as part of the hearing world. We truly are doing deaf differently in the 21st century.”
DBC feels “doing deaf differently” is a statement of disrespect towards the deaf community and creates unnecessary division among parents and professionals. By spreading false idea that is created or implemented by mostly hearing people without any input from the Bilingual deaf community (those who are fluent in both ASL and English, both spoken and written.)
According to DBC Indiana, DBC strongly recommends that AG Bell and Auditory Verbal Therapy includes ASL as the foundation for early language acquisition, especially for those who have the capacity to learn speech and lip reading. It will, according to their experts, enable them to do this at a more accelerated rate with this approach.
DBC has a plan to reach out to hearing parents of deaf children which was recently drafted up at a roundtable retreat among several deaf community members. The plan to reach out and disseminate information can be seen here.
What would make us do things differently? Changes. Changes makes us re-think how we can adapt to the differences. We have technology that is constantly changing and improving over time. Keeping abreast of technology means for some parents, they see hope, an improvement. The video shown here is an example of how some would do deaf differently. I watched the video and let me tell you, it was heart warming seeing that kid got a joy out of listening to music and singing. It may be hard for those who have never heard to understand that.
On the other hand, kids who utilize ASL as their primary language are adapting to the world around them with much ease, with technology as well. We now have text phones, Instant Messaging, Video Phones, captioned TV, captioned movies at the theater and yet more improved technology on the way to make our lives less restricting. Deaf kids are not as isolated as they used to be. Years ago, none of that were in existence, but, with technology, even those that are deaf and bilingual are doing deaf differently.
More state run schools for the deaf are encouraging their students to take classes at a local public school. This enables the kids to be able to be less restrictive in their environment and allows these kids to have full potential to show that they’re just no less different as their hearing peers.
It’s not to say that when one does deaf differently than the others, that one is better than the others, but, rather that one could be doing differently than the others only to bring out the best of each differences.
We all can do deaf differently in our own way that meets our own expectations, Thus, doing differently works for each of us, in a different way.
It appears that we’re now in an era of re-defining things, re-inventing things and doing things differently, only because we want the BEST! And, again we all interpret ‘best’ differently too! I like different, don’t you?!
Point being, we’re all different and we go with different flow and being different is as different does. We all can do deaf differently.
I actually think both camps can do it differently too and be able to accept the differences as long as we know what’s out there. We choose differently. I’m not here to argue or debate to the point of saying what’s right and what’s wrong. There isn’t a right or wrong here. So, discuss among yourself, if you wish. Keep it cordial. Remember, if you can’t say anything nice, don’t bother. 
~~~
Happy Thanksgiving to you all! Take the time to, not take things in life for granted. Be thankful for what you have, how little they might be. For, these little things do mean a LOT to many that do not have ‘em.
Here’s Linkin Park “Somewhere I Belong” video subtitled by FalcOn over at You Tube dot com.
Actually, I live in Indiana, but I did not pay attention to DBC’s rally (it did not create many waves… I guess, due to the lousy weather and I was busy on that day, attending YMCA’s basketball, etc.)
BUT I think it is GREAT that we have a lot of accessibility to ensure that deaf children have a chance to succeed, with many support groups/organizations’ inputs.
Why don’t you publish this posting on DR? It is a good blog piece.
I agree with you regarding “doing deaf differently” however the problem is that doing deaf differently in your essay is close to being indifferent towards the real issue here which is an elephant in our room. Here is the issue, while AGB philosophy/system of education have turned few deaf children into successful deaf oralists living in the hearing world. (by the way, I am successful Deaf adult living in the hearing world as well so I dont quite understand fully the AGB’s definition of “successful” or “living in the hearing world”?) Back to the issue: So many Deaf/HH children are missing out the full scope of education development due to selective language development based on auditory value of the society at infant/toddler age when language development is at its critical stage. These adults are now not able to reach their highest ability as I have been blessed with simply because they are being handed a plate of option: The Oral plate or the ASL plate. As a result this poor elephant is: So many deaf/hh adults are struggling to live fully because they do not have the literacy skills. They end up paying for their lives based on our limited options that we have handed them. We do not really talk about that. Why can’t we allow these deaf/hh children have early start in bilingualism as many hearing infants and toddlers are having? The hearing infants/toddlers are being handed a festive plate. Research have proven that ASL is beneficial to hearing infants, how can they not be the same for deaf infants? Worst than that, we are denying them ASL because we believe in this myth: If ASL is introduced then speaking will be hindered. Many deaf children have proven that to be wrong. Again, we do not hear about these stories as we do not hear stories about so many “failed” cochlear implanted children who ended up with little or no language skills.
Giving it all to our deaf and HH children! This is something we have not tried for all children. Let’s do it differently this time around and benefit all children! Let’s not play russia roulette with our children: Teach them speech first, see which child will succeed by the definition of AGB. if this child does not speak, then send them off to ASL. This is not how language development work in infants and toddlers. We all know that! This is not re-inventing and re-defining Deaf, this is doing the same thing for 200 years. Let’s really re-invent and re-definite our approach. Give our children the language development they deserve rightfully, Give them ALL education and communication skills and help them ALL succeed! They deserve that from us! I really want to do deaf differently! 
Let’s do deaf differently than what we have been doing the past 200 years: Let’s stop the struggle between AGB and Gallaudet! Lets include ALL! Speech, Listening, and Signing… Now that is doing Deaf differently!
Kind regards,
DeafMother4ALL, Terrylene Sacchetti
No, it means doing away without ASL and Deaf culture. You knew that, shrugs. Hearing people telling us how to do “deaf differently”? Right.. but no thanks. Am not buying into that sour candy logic.
It was offensive because it was dreamed up and publicized by hearing people, and promoted in the name of AVT and related approaches.
Had it been used as a theme by a comprehensive approach group, it would have taken on a different connotation.
It’s not much help trying to interpret it in a more acceptable way. The organization is an oralist one; so the expression has a different flavor than the one you suggest.
Karen, Thanks. I did thought DBC Indiana approached it somewhat less differently, compared to Milwaukee. Size differences could be a factor or it could just be the person that ran the show did a nice work.
Drmzz, it’s how one choose to look at that term that defines it. I am currently doing deaf differently without doing away with ASL in my life, there’s no way I can do away with ASL. You might want to broaden your vision a bit more?
Diane, I was more into looking at how we each defines deaf and how we can do deaf differently. For example, with each approach, one can do deaf differently. I’m not looking to critize DBC nor Hear Indiana. But, looking at how we can re-define deaf with technology as it is. And, in no way am I removing ASL from the equation or anything else.
As for DBC, even though my post pointed to it, it was only to show both organization’s different missions and goals. However, the link to the plan that was drafted up at Gallaudet, was in my opinion a good start. Advocacy should just mean that, reaching out and educate. I think that might work in deseminating information to “new” parents of deaf children.
But, I am not comparing both organizations or to look for what’s right or wrong, nor the why’s. But, rather to look at the term “doing deaf differently” and how we all can apply that in our life. And, bottom line, respect for those that choose to do deaf differently. For the most part, the majority of them have been well informed. So, Advocacy is where one can push the “doing deaf differently” even for ASL.
Candy, u asked me, “broaden your vision a bit more?” Sure, am thinking of getting a cochlear implant, sign up for AVT classes, pick up this long overdue guitar lessons, and resort to blogging. Also, I’ll pick up deaf girls like you cuz I heard they are easy. Heavy sarcasm aside, I’d keep on doing what I’ve been doing – educating others that doing “deaf differently” nowadays is more acceptance and understanding of ASL Deaf life experiences. Happy holidays.
Terrylene, sorry, your comment was in moderation and I didn’t notice it until now. I understand where you are coming from. I don’t see it as being indifferent. It’s a different world now than it was 20 or more years ago. Back then many kids are forced the oral route, even those that had no residual hearing or any capacity to listen and speak. I personally know many who came out of the oral program with so much bitterness. But, we’re talking about this century and the future where technology gives the opportunity for those deaf kids, whose parents chose a different approach. C.I. apparently works for these kids who have been implanted early AND who has parents that are dedicated to AVT. We have seen how successful these successful implantees are. Yet, at the same time, there ARE kids who have been implanted and are not successful. It appears to me those parents who do not make an effort do not see the success. I have talked to one individual who works in a mainstream program and complains about getting kids who are not successful with their C.I., turns out there are many factors involved why they were not successful to begin with, and because they were not successful, they were dumped in a mainstream program. Most successful C.I. kids are not in a mainstream program, so, it’s not surprising we would hear a lot from deaf members of our community who works in the educational system about the bad side of C.I.
(perhaps there should be a strict screening for these parents or perhaps there needs to be an oversight on these cochlear companies/doctors that are only out for the money…there has been speculation that some non-English speaking parents are being convinced that their child will hear normal with C.I. Only, the parents were not capable [does not know English] or not aware that they had to work with their child to make it work.)
Many of the parents that are already involved with AGBell or Hear Now or other organizations are already vested in the method/approach that they have chosen. Some think nothing of including ASL, kudos to them. Others stick to what their doctors/professionals tell them. I feel that if they choose to raise their deaf child differently, they are already well informed, why waste our time on them? If they were not happy with the results, surely, they will contact the other side. Personally I see nothing wrong with adding ASL to the mix. But, it’s not our position to dictate to the parents. And, what if the parents wants to implant their child and also include ASL, that should be ok. That is doing deaf differently for that parent. Likewise if a hearing parent decides to have their child grow up with ASL and involve their child in the hearing world by taking advantage of technology out there that will make the child independent, that’s doing deaf differently. I’m all for advocating for ASL, only to educate new parents of a deaf child. And to make sure all parents are well informed all the way around. We know C.I. works for many. I know several deaf cultured people that have C.I., most got it for environmental sounds, a couple of them tells me that it really is awesome, especially those that uses hearing aids prior. They speak better and can use the phone now. They are culturally deaf people, they’re doing deaf differently.
There is a blog out there about this parent that chose ASL first and then decided to add C.I. and had a hard time because some doctors didn’t think the child would be a good candidate due to knowledge of ASL, the mom didn’t give up and found a doctor that supports it. Here we have a parent who is well informed and does deaf differently for her child. I will find that link and post it for you to read. Pretty enlightening, actually.
Still looking for the link….
Anyway, Drmzz, ha! Well, first off, you don’t have to have C.I. to do deaf differently. Simple as that. So, are you insinuating that these hearing guys or guys with C.I. out there that go out with deaf girls are only after one thing? tsk tsk. Anyway, your next to last sentence is a good way to put it. That’s what I meant, we all do deaf differently in a different way.
The deaf society has gone to the point they cant be renewed without being weeded out. The trinity logic states “renewal begins with destruction”. At this time, there is absolutely no other way to renew a deaf society gone mad without applying the trinity logic.
Ok, I found it.
http://misskatsmom.blogspot.com/
Start reading from the beginning (August) and on.
Richard, that’s pretty extreme. The deaf society isn’t at that point yet. And, I doubt they will ever be. Changes are hard for some and for others old wound takes time to heal. But, here in cyberspace, they do appear to be MAD at times.
What you see here is not a true reflection of the deaf community as a whole, that much I can vouch.
Richard, the late John Lennon said, “If you talk about destruction, you can count me out” from ‘Revolution.’ Yep, it’s time for a change through peaceful means unlike your tactics of hijacking vlogs and video comments from Deaf cyberspace onto your site – annoying people from this trinity logic driven madness of yours. Irrational at best.
I would like to thank Terrylene for her comment.
As a hearing parent, I have seen a lot in the last 23 years raising my daughter. Sadly, I am not seeing anything remotely close to “Doing Deaf Differently”. I see a vicious cycle continuing. A spiral which will have unfortunate long term ramifications for deaf children.
What I know is that just as soon as bilingual education in Deaf Schools sprang up so did the advent of more parents being persuaded to believe that the miracle of the cochlear implant would make their children become normal hearing and speaking people who do not need sign language or Deaf Schools.
What research is proving is that those high achieving children who have implants are the minority. This kind of information is not shared by AGBell or the CI companies. (See Robert Johnson’s article on “Cultural constructs that impede discussions about variability in Speech-Based Educational models for deaf children with cochlear implants.)
Deaf babies’ and children’s opportunities for natural language acquisition is going backwards instead of forwards. The majority of deaf babies and children are only getting ASL as a last resort even though researchers consistently state that deaf children who have access to ASL during critical language development years, in fact, have a higher rate of success in second language acquisition via literacy and speech. Many deaf children are not educated in language rich accessible environments with peers and role models but in language restricted environments.
It is important to look at history to determine if anything truly is being done differently. I personally do not see this taking place.
P.S. By the way, I was at the DBC conference in Milwaukee and it was one of the most positive events I have ever attended. I think you will find that most all of the 700 people who attended would say the same thing. DBC IN was there and part of the planning committee as well.
Tami, thank you for your comment. The post is merely my view in how we all can do deaf differently in our own way and does not necessarily mean C.I. only. I understand all of this, yet, I also see a trend where technology will continue to be the catalyst for change. Not everyone will see things the same way. Which is why we have more than one organizations or advocacy groups out there that pushes for what they believe in. Who’s to say one way is better than the other? I have known deaf people who uses ASL since birth and they have some limitations in certain areas. With Bi-Bi, it is still fairly new. There are many factors to consider when you talk about success in any approach. A deaf child with additional disabilities might do well with one approach than another, for example.
My original thought of “doing deaf differently” did not necessarily mean non-ASL. Whereas for some it did because a particular organization coined it up. And, I was thinking, we all are doing deaf differently in our own way. And, this post is not and I repeat, NOT anti or pro DBC/Hear Indiana.
I’m outta here, and I’m not going to be around tomorrow. You can discuss among yourself, express your views, etc. Simply put, if you don’t think doing deaf differently applies to all deaf people, then, that’s just it, you may not see it the way I do and there’s no harm in it.
Don’t forget Ben’s do’s and don’ts
Candy,
From how I see it, the quip, “Doing Deaf Differently” (DDD) can be viewed as something part of diversity and being against it would imply one is against diversity. These three-worded “sound-bytes” are quite dangerous–take the recent protests at Gallaudet (Not Deaf Enough) and how nearly fatal that was to the protesters.
This is a very smart public relations maneuver and I believe it should be treated delicately and with respect. People are quick to explain away their reasoning for opposing it but at the end, the sound-byte will make it seem like one is against “diversity,” perhaps demanding “uniformity.”
Also, in light of increasing awareness of deaf culture and communities in the mainstream society, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to interpret DDD with implication of “No longer handicapped.”
Again, this is genius in terms of public relations.
If there is a way to get back at DDD, it would have to be equally as powerful and memorable. That in itself is quite a feat, haha.
Ben
Ah yes,
Paotie could pull something off. That he could!
Ben
Naw, DDD (Doing Deaf Discriminately) is a non-diversified farce representing cochlear implant and oralism philosophies at Hear Indiana. Let’s not kid ourselves, it’s all about HOPE via (auditory-speech) technology making a grand difference in a deaf child’s life. This song has been played many times before. ASL is not in this picture. From what I understand, there were no signing Deaf speakers at their conference which is clear that “diversity” was never intended so even assuming an ‘uniformity’ stance in a party is moot.
It is great to see how we define what “Deaf” “deaf” “hard of hearing” etc to fit our values and our approach to our lives. When we define ourselves, we get put down and scorned. But we have to acknowledge that the defining of deafness starts with our parents (thanks to the advances in telecommunications, medicine, education, etc..) the parents have more access to more information and it would be hard NOT to come across the information related to the Deaf Culture and ASL. AGB, universities with deaf education programs, even DeafRead, DBC, etc. take advantage of internet to spread the information and educate more people.
The way I see it, it is increasing awareness of information about deaf babies, deaf children, deaf teenagers, etc. Sure, some people may not like at how information is brought to the audience, but as I recall, this past summer some people said KNOW your audience. And we all have our own emotions and desires.
Look… deaf people are not the only ones who have problems. Hearing people have the problem. In the fact, here in the state of Indiana, the average reading grade level of HEARING people is 4th grade, NOT the average 8th grade level. So we all have problems to deal with.
Tami -
“Deaf babies and children’s opportunities for natural language acqiuistion is going backwards, instead of forwards.”
I respectfully disagree with you, Tami. With no technology, deaf babies and children’s opportunities would have fallen behind and stay in the isolation area. Texting message, AIM, email, closed captioning and everywhere in the literacy world have impacted us. It’s the great communication tool in the 21st century.
We had our hearing girls using their computer games at the early age. Phonics in the computer taught them how to read and sound better. I understand with the profound deaf children who could not hear the phonics but with the literacy skills in the computer have structured the language tremendously.
Let’s invent a new line for the hearing people.
“Doing Hearing Differently.”
How would that make the hearing people feel?
Mike,
My tactics are peaceful.
Its the problem deaf people mistake for hatred;
my ambition to make life better for the newer deaf generations who would otherwise live a lifetime of dependency on others to do simple things as communicating with other people.
10 more years from now I wont have to be facing the ugly scourge from extremists within the deaf community. 10 years I must chew on the crab bucket thats keeping the deaf community from independence.
Yes it time to do deaf differently whether people like it or not.
Richard
I am sure hearing people would be very interested in learning more about “Doing Hearing differently”
) They’d love to learn more about hearing differently, more, less, different, or/same in different ways, etc. It is called “enlightenment”.
;o)
Can’t put my finger on it exactly, but it’s the word “differently” in Doing Deaf Differently that kinda disturbs me.
The d/Deaf have been treated “differently” by the hearing folks for eons, that’s the problem. It smacks of a patronizing attitude.
I know, Candy, that Doing Deaf Differently can mean differently, there’s that word again, to different people, from hearing to little d and big D. And your blog article is based on that. But the three-word quip comes from an organization whose philosophy is primarily based on oralism, to encourage the use of residual hearing and/or technology, as well as speech.
Perhaps it’s these damn quips or acronyms that tend to gloss over realities that get people upset, as Ben has pointed out. To me, it’s another slick advertising campaign, a sound byte that is so typical of our info-gluttony that we don’t look beyond those quips or jingo’s to understand the philosophy (the selling of a product or concept) behind those words, or acronyms, if you will.
Karen, LOL, if only Doing Hearing Differently could change hearing folks’ perception of hearing loss.
A national campaign in which hearing folks stick cotton or earplugs in their ears for 24 hours, so they’d get some idea of what it means to have little or no hearing, what it’s like not to hear their own voices, what the communication issues are for the deaf, and more importantly, to discover that life can go on by developing other abilities regardless of deafness. Such a campaign would enlighten these folks about what the d/Deaf experience everyday.
Ah, well…one can dream.
Richard, spare us your non sequitur nonsense. Like hijacking my video comments and vlogs is your idea of “peaceful” promotion at hearing-for-life.org? Remove them please and leave me alone since I bother you none.
I am thinking.
There are MANY issues that many Deaf people feel strongly about. I’d like to revisit the history… especially AGBell, as a person, when he was alive. God only knows about his loves, opinions, dreams, etc… and he wrote a lot, spoke a lot, etc… and historians more or less rewrote his life, in both positive and negative lights. Deaf people, especially “ex”-oralists view him with distaste. Even in his death, he is still being blamed, being made a scapegoat, etc. I know that a lot of bad things happened, especially child abuse part. I am taken back by such hatred shown from some Deaf people who still act like he was alive… I am sure he’d be lynched today if he were alive today. His crime? He only wanted to help deaf people.
Hmmm… there are many factors but I see there is a need for a scapegoat so AGBell happens to be chosen as one. It is not HIM who caused it all… it is some people who ran and carried out the oral method who should be held accountable. They had a choice to change to make deaf education more accessible, but I guess the factors were different in 20th century. Successes and failures. Etc.
ASL is still seen as a cure for deaf community. It is not… most of languages are visual… even English is a visual language. Sure, ASL is a great SIGNED visual language to help deaf babies to quickly develop cognition, even with or without hearing devices. It is just some people appear to make a big deal out of this.
*mildly shrugging*
Well, I’ve come across blogs and commentaries that once the name “Alexander Graham Bell” or words like “AGBell” or “oralism” is mentioned, some Deaf people see red at these words and go apoplectic, without fully reading the article or understanding why the name or word was used in the first place.
Emotionally charged words for a man long dead and his legacy which still continues today.
Ironically, Bell developed the telephone in the hopes that it would aid the deaf to hear and communicate, but it actually was the opposite. Today the hearing folks have phone technology galore.
But many deaf with residual hearing and use either hearing aids or C.I.’s STILL can’t hear on the phone that well, even with T-coils or on phones with built-in amplification. Ya can’t lipread over a cell phone. Captel is okay but still awkward with a time lapse. And many Deaf have to use VP with interpreter service to communicate with the hearing world. Phone communication for the d/Deaf is still not that smooth or spontaneous, for that matter. For the d/Deaf the phone technology is still not “there” yet.
Hey, Karen and Ann_C., I’ll comment both of yours after dinner. Cheer up, girls.
I saw video via DVTV and MZ’s blog and I kinda disagree.
Just comment to cheer you girls up.
Oh brother. Me a spy, yeah right. I can’t believe at the degree of unfounded paranoia exhibited in the video on DVTV…
Yeah, I was a member of Hear Indiana, a chapter of AGBell Association (I have not paid dues for a year now), but I only receive magazines (mostly about hearing aids and CI advances) and emails announcing the activities (like fundraising activities) which I don’t attend. But the idea of me exchanging info with AGBell? What a joke, when we have internet for anyone to see, especially DeafRead, DBC websites, other public domains.
*rolling my eyes, laughing* what a joke.
Truly, it’s what I said earlier in this blog about how some Deaf people see red when they read the word “AGBell” in an article and start shooting off at the hip without checking out the entire blog article first.
The accusations fly, “bullets spraying everywhere”, know what I mean? I had to laugh when I saw that “beware AGBell mole” on MZ’s blog. Like Paotie’d say, Golly Goodlums! Here we go again, that “deficit-thinker-accuser” syndrome.
Likewise when Hear Indiana said “Doing deaf differently” no one wants to give “differently” the time of the day! Whoa!
See, I didn’t connect it to just “listening and speaking” but to a wide array of possibilities that are out there. What’s wrong with ASL/Bilingual deaf people doing deaf differently without listening/speaking, for one?
Ann_C, exactly! This is all mind boggling how one just go off the handle at the mention of AGBell.
Anybody who is a movie fan, especially of Disney movies, remembers the villain more clearly than the hero. We love villains and love to boo them and gleefully see them disappear into oblivion. (better yet, go down in flames.)
Alexander G. Bell and his modern incarnations AGBell, agencies with the name “Hear” in their mastheads, oral schools, etc. are fine game for cyberspace criticism. Bam! Take that, ding-a-ling Bell! Whoo! He lost recognition for the telephone patent! Now let’s see his agency go down in flames!
Seriously, what would we do without this notable villain? He has been instrumental in helping defining who we are, the Deaf Community, by personifying what we are not.
I’m back. What a hectic houseful I had today!
Karen…..you got me really thinking on comment #29.
This is not the 18th century.
This is not the 19th century.
This is not the 20th century.
This is the *21st* century.
I am jewish. I am practically not the religious person.
When the movie, “Schindler’s List” came out in 1993, an exchange student for the high school program, who came from Germany, approached me, and then, apologized me. She thought that I would hate her because she was (still is) German. I told her that we were not born during the World War II or before.
We had a fruitful conversation and we learned about the controversial issue that will never go away. For instance, we discussed about the variety of religions that needs to be stablized. Impossible! It will not going to happen nowadays. Never will. I recalled that we discussed about Kosovo war and Muslim in Serbia.
Anyway, get back to the exchange student whom I was referring to. She wrote me a warm-hearted letter saying that she had told the entire family all about me for being a good Jewish person.
So, you got me really thinking about
AG Bell’s era/legacy that *we* were not born. We did not know about the history until we learned much later. I don’t hate AG Bell. I don’t care if you are a member of either AG Bell or Hear Indiana. I am impressed that you taught your son to respect other campers who are in the oral program. It’s about the mutual respect. Truthfully, I am glad that AG Bell lets your son to be in the camp, eventhough, he knows about the ASL. That’s great.
When I saw the videos in DVTV and MZ’s blog, I laughed. They think your’e a spy….I laughed.
Ann_C., your’e the next whom I will comment.
Ann_C.,
Golly Goodlums! Garwsh! Sheesh!
I’ll have to take Paotie’s place. Sorry, man!
I wanna be the Mole! You know the ABC’s TV reality show. It would be a CQQL.
Then, it should be the “deaf” mole.
yeah, Ann_C., whenever, it comes up with the AG Bell, they always holler and discuss about this. It gets me boring already. Move on and get a new subject.
All the *riots* on AG Bell already bored me as well.
Dianerez, I love to be a villain! Yay! Whoo!
In response to White Ghost comments 22 and 36…
First when I said deaf children’s access to accessible language is going backwards, I am discussing the fact that their visual language is being denied. ASL is permitted once a child doesn’t succeed with an implant or hearing aids….as a last resort. The theory of AVT training is causing many deaf children to have little language abilities in either English or ASL. I wasn’t discussing other technolgies such as pagers, computers, etc.. Of course this kind of technology has been great over the years.
Responding to your comment #36. I think we can all agree that it is the system not the child that we are condoning. The system has to be educated so that change can occur whereby all deaf children are able to thrive in language, social and emotional – rich educational environments just as hearing children are entitled to. Until we address the “option” system, deaf children still continue to be the experiments of a hearing pathological viewpoint and their perceptions of how language is best acquired.
Those deaf children that are oral, we respect…just as we respect deaf children that use ASL. But that doesn’t mean we have to respect the system or AGBell as an organization. The history of their purpose speaks loudly. The list of those who have not benefited from oralism is a long long list and continues to grow daily.
Okay, heads up.
Apparently MikeZZ played on ASLforLife’s emotions, saying that DR women mocked her. She was devastated by what MikeZZ told her. I read this blog posting’s comments and I could not find us mocking her. As for me, I merely scoffed at the idea that I was “spy”. I don’t think any worse of her, just mostly concerned that she does not understand what we are discussing.
I am emailing to human editors, especially Taylor about it.
I realize that it does not get any worse of her, she does not understand how sarcasm is. Sarcasm can be complicated.
I am sad to know that MikeZZ is a graduate student and is studying to be a counselor. He does not diaguloe (spell) us to make things clearing up.
Does not prevent “misunderstanding” issue!
Name naming…..sad!
Oh, brother! Now someone is really reading too much between the lines and lobbing more accusations.
There was not one mention of ASLRisen’s name, we were discussing how the topic of an AGBell mole was funny because Karen is all over DR, her history is there for all to see, she uses ASL herself, her family uses it, etc. Just because she was once a past member of AGBell because her son attended some summer camps run by oral organizations does NOT make Karen an AGBell spy.
And don’t forget, who was the one that started all this in MZ’s blog?
Always nice to see gals like you backtracking. For years I see you look down or mock Deaf people at their expenses. You are what you are, insular and pathetic people.
drmzz,
None of the commenters here brought up her name or called her names while discussing the spy topic. In essence, we were laughing with Karen going “huh?”
And, if you go back to MZ’s blog, that spy subject did not start with Karen. A misunderstanding arose, drmzz, and that’s all it is. Don’t make it into something that it isn’t.
I’ve only been commenting on DR for about a year now, and I’ve read your comments all over DR, some of them were intelligent responses, and others were laced with dripping sarcasm.
You know the adage, “Honey attracts, vinegar repels”? You’d do well to look at why you need to use vinegar.
DRMZZ,
So, honestly, I don’t feel having a freedom from you. This is America.
We’ve let you to use your sarcasms but you won’t let us using our sarcasms.
You dragged me into this.
You win, you happy?
Hey, all I did was express my observation and opinion to Shawn. I didn’t expect her to react like she did. Sorry. You’re entitled to yours too. I’m double minority – DODA and ASL while you guys represent hearing impaired population, the majority which is a no no when mocking the minorities. It’s a given that minorities tend to resort to sarcasm or humor to process their frustrations. This is my last post since I have some homework to do.
MikeZZ… that is enough. You are creating lies about us over DVTV and we don’t appreciate it. Show us evidence… but as long as there are no evidences, your word means nothing. We don’t bash you and why do you need to bash and try to make examples of us, exploiting ASLForRisen’s emotions at the same time? Leave her alone… she is sweet and she does not deserve it from you. If you care about her, be a TRUE friend… not a viper.
Enough is enough.
Naw, I can read between the lines. You guys know exactly to WHOM you were making fun of. I’m not exploiting ASLForRisen’s emotions cuz she is my long time friend. U guys, own up to whatever u said. Like rats in a corner, you resort to personal insults, typical. End of discussion.
That’s the trouble, drmzz, “reading between the lines”. That’s making up assumptions without checking into facts.
None of us was mocking ASLRisen at her expense. There was an assumption made by her that grew into a misunderstanding on her part, and Karen went “Huh? Me a spy?” She was chuckling over that, good thing she knows how to laugh at herself.
Drmzz, many people, both ASL users and oral deaf or hearing, jump to conclusions without reading an entire article on DR and misunderstandings often arise because of human error. ASL users don’t have a corner market on that. We’ve all seen examples of assumptions made on different sides. We’ve read hearing parents of CI children put their foot in their mouths, stopping at the mere mention of ASL and/or Deaf Culture and not reading the rest of the article, for an example.
As for personal insults, that’s what starts an online slugfest. I’m not going to go there.
Know what?
You know what I love about Shawn, ASLforlife the most?
She have mocked the nuns. She have portrayed the nun. That’s what I love the most. That is what the sarcasms are all about…..Gotta love it. It can be a good sarcasm!
It is okay to mock the nuns. Go, Girl, Go. I’m cheering for Shawn. I am doing a somersault for her.
Go, girl, go!
Funny….I saw Iammine’s vlog at DVTV….
“The Rogue1668″, on comment #27, portrayed a priest and he drank “Holy Vodka!” That was awfully funny!
It’s unfortunate that I wasn’t able to get into my dashboard away from my main computer. Drmzz aka Mike Schmidt is no longer allowed here, unless he apologizes which I’m sure he will not. It’s also unfortunate that people like him just likes to create chaos by taking something out of context. Anyway, that’s not what I am about nor any of you are about, either….
And, Ann_C, thank you for that comment above, you’re right on target.
And, thanks to all of you who only wants to create a safe, fun cyberspace experience.
Happy Thanksgiving!
I will check Iammine’s vlog.
Until then, stay safe wherever you’re heading out to for the holidays.
Hi Candy,
I know you don’t vlog, but I think this situation is pretty extraordinary… and I’m hoping you will consider vlogging to clarify the situation about Shawn and the comments here, after Thanksgiving.
As we’ve witnessed here, there are some individuals who will exploit other Deaf’s lack of English proficiency, to create further chaos and emotional distress.
This kind of behavior we witnessed here needs to be recognized and halted, and I think a v/blog clarifying that would help.
I am personally sickened by what happened. As far as I can see, there was no mocking of Shawn in my blog nor here. It’s extremely dangerous to “read between the lines” and making unwarranted assumptions. Mike, as a graduate student specializing in counseling, should know the dangers of doing this and was extremely irresponsible making an erroneous statement to Shawn that people were mocking at her. For what purpose? I find what he did to Shawn incredibly cruel.
DP, Ahh..wow, I don’t vlog…and I’m not even sure how to do it either!!!
I agree, it does need to be done in ASL. But, I’m wondering if perhaps Karen Mayes could since she could explain her part scoffing at the spy comment.
Anyway, Let me digest this and look into/figure out if I have what I need to do a vlog.
MZ, I am disgusted big time, too. I have always enjoyed Shawn’s vlog, whether I agreed with her views or not. It’s clear that Mike took advantage of her vulnerability, especially when she is not well versed in English.
Anyway, Have a happy and safe Thanksgiving!
I did send an email to Shawn and I posted a comment on MZ’s blog directly to her, but I have not heard from her. My concern is that Mike did a lot of damages that would be hard for her to recover from.
The webcam is not working well… it can take snapshots but acts funny when vidoeing, so I am stuck.
Well, I’d rather clear up this awful misunderstanding, which was initiated by Mike, with Shawn in private, but I guess it will have to wait until she is good and ready. This time it will have to be on her terms and I need to respect it.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!
Yeah…
I could not help but thinking of Shawn and her innocence.
Mel aka Iammine went through, too.
Mike *knew* that Shawn is not well versed in english. This situation made me really furious. How insensitive of him. However, it’s good to know that many vloggers in DVTV still have welcomed and embraced her into the full of circle.
Mike is no longer a Saturday Night Live fan of mine.
I’ll be very, very, busy watching Texas-Texas A&M football game tonite.
Psst…Ann_C….Texas and I’ll have to work to do to promote Bowl Championship Series (BCS) officials to remind them that they don’t forget that Texas beat Okla.
Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, my blog friends!
Candy??? You video comment number 8 from this DVTV link: http://www.deafvideo.tv/video/watch/30266/
Is that you???
Let you know that I already saw it before DEAFOIC.. I was hurt and I did NOT say Karen spy or mole.. I was not talking about Karen! I was defending Jean Boutcher’s blog after I saw other blogger did mentioned Jean Boutcher!!! I have NOT say Karen’s name from my vlog!!! I was not happy with Karen think of me talking about her!!! Why she brought up that!!!??? I thought she misunderstand me!!! AG Bell was HONOR President of International Eugenic in 1921 just one year before AG Bell died in 1922… Why your blog no video comment access???
Hi Shawn, I hope you are enjoying your Thanksgiving! I’m in the car right now..going to my familys.
No, that video is not me. I have not done any video YET! But, maybe someday.
that is a different Candy.
Karen Knows you did not talk about her. Karen saw your comment about AGB/Hear Indiana people are spies…..Karen wonder to herself that mean she spy too because she get Hear Now magazine???? she then “sick sign on forhead’ mean spy? she thought that was silly. she never said anything about u….
I hope I explained it clear if not, let me know and maybe we can talk on VP or something.
I am stupid when it comes to adding vlog to blog and I do not know how to make it all work. even someone like me can be stupid in some area!
Please enjoy your Thanksgiving Shawn!!!! No one here wants u to be upset. we care!!!!!
OIC, okay but I have NOT say Hear Indiana people from my vlog… Just to double clarify you… OK? Hope this clear msg. I hope Karen not confuse and more upset with wrong idea from my vlog… OK??
Oh thank you so much.. Im done with cooking sweet potato… My family will go my husband’s parents house for dinner at 6pm today. OK?
About VP, too many people asked me for vp them!!! YIKES, I do not have VP schedule book. Sometimes I feel like not wanting to sit down again after finish read email and watching DVTV and some of my favorite bloggers. So. I know so many people want vp and makes me overwhelm while I have to catch up emails and plus I work full time.. Hard to say when vp.. Anyway, hope you, Candy will have Happy Thanksgiving too. Shawn
Shawn, right u did not say anything about hear indy but I’m sure in karens mind she sees AGB and Hear indy as similar kind of organization.
Shawn, right u did not say anything about hear indy but I’m sure in karens mind she sees AGB and Hear indy as similar kind of organization.
You have a happy thanksgiving too!!
p.s…i will try to add video comments to my blog soon.
Hey, Shawn, glad you left a few comments here on Candy’s blog
)
I thought it was silly when you said something about deaf oral ASL-using people “spying” for AGBell and I see now that I thought you were making a reference to me. The problem is that I saw MikeZZ’s video comment to you about the “DR Women” mocking you, which is NOT true and I saw your video comment and your vlog showing you being very upset about us. MikeZZ named us… Candy, me, White Ghost… soooo…. We were NOT making fun of you at all. I hope you believe us.
Happy Thanksgiving, Shawn
)
Hi all!
Got back home!! Im so FULL!!!
DEAFOIC was trying to protect me and he is sorry for any problems cuz he just protect me as his DVTV sister.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Cool! Glad you had a great time! I’m pretty stuffed and in the middle of a great party here with my family and friends. Actually, I’m playing beer pong!!! I decided, what the heck…just go with the flow…and Partay!!!! Whoo! I DO NOT normally play beer pong, but with the older folks done, there’s younger kids keeping the party alive and yeeaah….Beer Pong it is!
Anyway, Shawn, I just want to make sure you’re OK and that is all. I hope in the future, we can all try to communicate and get to the bottom of things without letting misunderstandings get in the way of all of our online friendship. \
Ciao!
Happy Thanksgiving! I’m losing!! Which means, I’m gonna be wasted if I don’t win!!!
Good morning all!
Sorry I had been distracting with my busy schedule at home and work. So hopefully you do NOT mind to accept my comment before I need to leave home for work becuz of snow here from Indiana snow~! Yikes ICE on roads!! So I got some email from others before I saw DEAFOIC’s video comment appeared. Karen will be always my friend no matter what. It was really GREAT to see Karen and her very CUTE daughter on her video comment under my vlog from this DVTV link:
http://www.deafvideo.tv/video/watch/30378/
Karen, hope you will forgive me and my friends that we misunderstand your writting English language!!! HOpe to see you (Karen) on your vlog someday sooner!!! Big hugs, Shawn
Shawn,
You are forgiven a long time ago
)
Let’s move forward. We are just human beings and we all make mistakes.
Hugs,
Karen
Good morning Karen!!!
Recently my husband got out of the door on his way to work after chatting with our cup of coffee… I forgot to tell you THANK YOU so MUCH for showing up your vlog on DVTV!!! So FAR OUT funny! Interesting to learn different sign from the video commenters. I did used “Bee Bee”’s sign to both my hearing and Deaf son for their little age!!! Smile.. Big WARM hugs, Shawn (still drinking my cup of International Delight cream coffee until I need go drop my hearing son off to his college sooner!)