Deaf Culture...

I was around the deaf community (as a hearing person) off and on for 15 years, and, also had a deaf roommate for almost 2 years, so, know very well what was spoken of during the film...

To quote another poster, "it (deaf culture) is dumb, get over it", is said by someone who does not understand - if you or I lost the use of our legs today, and, became a part of the disabled world, we would quickly find out that the "get over it" way of thinking just doesn't cut it - deafness, like paralysis, or any other disability, is something that only those with that disability can understand...

Sadly, just 6 months ago, I found out that my former deaf roommate and friend had taken his own life, perhaps, as often happens to those with deafness (and as I found out first hand from my roommate), he suffered from periods of deep depression due to the severe isolation that deafness (and muteness) brings to those afflicited by it...

I think his social isolation, and, constant trouble finding employment (even though he was a Gallaudet graduate), was a heavy cross for him to bear - even worse was his carpal tunnel syndrome (a result of his data entry employment - something that is often "offered" to the deaf, since it does not require their speaking to anyone) ended up bringing him great pain when signing...

As shown in the film, even routine events (like singing Happy Birthday) can isolate a deaf person - the hearing world can and often is very indifferent to the needs of the deaf...

As for the surgery, as mentioned in the film, though it was first considered "a cure for deafness", the surgery has been found, as in the case of many other medical procedures, that it does not work for every person - or even every other person - so, deafness is still a disability, as with other disabilities, that remains for now...

As for "deaf culture", yes, it is a very real thing, and, as with any other culture, there are set rules that define the group, from within the group itself, and, to deny or make less of that is understandably considered offensive. However, unlike other cultures, the disability defines the culture itself, so, it is a exceptional situation, but, similar to those who are unique for any other physical disability, the group has defined needs, and, need to be respected for that...

There were times, due to my own signing (or lack thereof) that I would step aside if at a "deaf" party, and, allow for those who were deaf to sign within their own group, since they were more comfortable when speaking fluently, which, again, is very typical (but not offensive) of any other culture's behavior - it just requires a bit of humility (as also shown in last night's film) to accept this...

Incidentially, my introduction to deafness came in 1964, when our school was treated to a showing of the 1962 (Patty Duke) version of "The Miracle Worker" (how our teachers were able to get a copy of that film at that time, as often said of Annie Sullivan's work, "was a wonder"), and, I was so impressed that a hearing person could communicate with the deaf, that my first experience continued to influence me, even years later - never let it be said that we didn't learn anything in Grade School (LOL)...

As "said" (signed) in ASL...

Done finished...