Following on from my last blog where I asked the question of the re-location of others I now ponder my own location in deafidoms classification.
Well Its like this according to my belief its a culture/Identity thing and I don’t know why? I believe that all deaf people belong together in what I call “deafidom” no matter what degree of deafness or hearing loss you have. Its a united and more together welcoming state to be in socially.
Deaf4Life the popular forum I moderate after discovering that people were unsure to join (due to the fact that they didn’t see themselves as deaf so need not apply)..posed the question to the members to suggest ideas on how to improve the look and appeal and encourage all to join.
“Hearing loss” was mentioned and that was it..Deaf members were offended and an ensuing debate occurred…and in the crux classifications came in and “us and them” talk occurred the hard core deaf, the “D” or the “born and signing deaf” wished to state their pride and solidarity, pointing out Hard Of Hearing people didn’t belong in the Deaf community and if they wanted to …should have their own.
Those who do not sign classified as the small “d”, effectivly are hearing as they use hearing aids and do not have the same standing, as they are oral or considered “Oralist” .
As in all aspects of politics there are those on both sides who argue, both being culturally deaf yet both being dictated to by social and medical models.
So where do I fit in to this menagerie?
Well.. I am what Doug Alker once quoted, “those that walk without the banner” from Dante’s Divine comedy… neither born deaf or acquired deafness in later life, I became deaf in early childhood, like a lot of people from measles moderate-severe loss in both ears I am oral, educated in mainstream schools and sign to SSE, to no level just picking it up from childhood from watching See Hear when signing was a lot slower and Maggie Wooley and Clive Mason were the anchors.
I considered myself (d)eaf…I thought this was acceptable and I have been comfortable with that Identity for most of my adult life, I won’t go through the childhood years..ahem!
Now I’m thinking maybe I am Hard Of Hearing or if its right I am one of the Acquired deaf, as I was hearing ok upto the age of 6? Hmm.. yet they appear to have an understandable “we are unfortunate” angle but I don’t see myself as unfortunate, though I’m sure people have felt sorry for me at some stage.
Forums are used to argue the same issues over again with little regard to the next generation unsure and looking for Identity I feel, deaf people are arguing amongst themselves and conflicts occur, and with the RNID rebranding with emphasis on loss its raw at the moment a nerve hit.
Deaf4Life possibly following suit mistakenly..when all we are doing is improving by adding a few words in for search engines and being open to all … sadly some deaf have made themselves infamous in the process yet some though have moved the issues of deafness forward and still do today.
The politics and the inner sanctum doesn’t really matter its how you feel yourself and your own Identity…what’s important is that you belong somewhere in it all…and have friends who make you feel a part of it.
Posted on June 27, 2011
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