Personal Narrative: My Deaf Event

Everybody faces challenges and uncertainties and a daily basis. Fortunately, for hearing people their troubles can be trivial. For those who are in the Deaf and hard of hearing culture, however, challenges and uncertainties are not relatively trivial. Over the past several years, the Deaf community has been enterprising for culture awareness. Historically, the media have played an important role in the portrayal of deaf individuals. “Switched at Birth” is a television show that has helped shed some light on the Deaf culture. "Switched at Birth" has tackled many autistic beliefs toward Deaf people that are false and ignorant such as them not being able to drive, raise kids, and have jobs.

Inside deaf culture is a very strong book written by carol Padden and tom Humphries in this book authors have tried to give a tour of the most important moments that has shaped the Deaf culture.

For a Deaf Son is a documentary about Thomas Thranchin, who was born deaf to hearing family. His father, a filmmaker, produced this documentary to offer an intimate look at how parents of a deaf child make decisions. The documentary is compiled together with interviews from audiologist, families of children with hearing loss, other expert in the field, as well as home videos of Thomas. Thomas was discovered to be profoundly deaf at the age of one and could only hear high frequency sound. This meant that with hearing aids on him, he could acquire speech and language with therapy. The other discussion that Thomas’ parent had to make is whether to educate their son in sign language versus strictly verbal speech. Both Thomas’ parents have different opinions on teaching him ways to communicate. The beginning of the movie, his parents had decided to enroll Thomas in hearing school so that he could learn to communicate with the hearing world that his family lived in. His mother also thought that by enrolling him in a teaching based classroom supported by sign would be an easier route for Thomas considering that he was deaf. Thomas’ father had then begun his research to figure out ways to unlock Thomas’ speech capacities and the outcome of those choices. The documentary

My qualifications that demonstrate my ability to be an asset to your Master Degree program of Education of the Deaf, is my background in Deaf Studies where I have received my Associate degree at Quinsigamond Community college. Furthermore, my degree has allotted me the necessary communication skills and cultural sensitivity, needed in order for me to work with the individual who has been the diagnosis of hard of hearing and deaf. In addition to my educational background, some of the following course have further my ability to better understand and work with individuals within the American Sign Language community is my Intermediate ASL 1&2,

Growing up or becoming deaf may cause people to not achieve very much throughout their lifetime or it could give motivation to achieve great things. For example, Heather Whitestone was deaf throughout all her life. People did not think she was capable of accomplishing big things, but she proved them wrong (Bates). Commonly people will think they will not accomplishment much because they are deaf, and often they are wrong. Even though someone has major disadvantages, they can do whatever they set their mind to.

On March 10, 2017, I went to the Deaf Coffee Chat at Starbucks. This was my first time attending a deaf event. When I arrived at the event, I was little nervous because I had limited experience with sign language. My first encounter was Michelle, who is deaf and the host of the event. She introduced herself in sign language. After she introduced herself, I introduced myself to her in sign language. I told her that I am a student at the University of North Florida and learning ASL I. Also, I told her I

Through the deaf eyes is a film about what is like to be deaf; it also tells us about the history, as well as challenges deaf culture has faced. It speaks about Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet and Laurent Clerc the creators of the first school for the deaf, also deaf clubs, and people today who have changed perspectives of the deaf community. Gallaudet University was the first environment where deaf community can come together and begin their history and culture teaching deaf children how to speak would benefit them more in the future; however that was not the case, and many thought it was a waste out time as they got older. They feel that they should have focused on sign language, so that they can learn more instead of spending years on learn to

Growing up in a small-town I was literally in a culture bubble. There were almost no deaf people. I just never had the opportunity to converse with someone who is deaf. As I was reading this book I noticed my internal motivation for learning ASL was changing. I now want to learn as much ASL as I possibly can, so I can chat with those I come in contact with that are deaf or hard of hearing. I never realized that St. George was such a big area in deaf individuals. I always saw it as a winter getaway and vacation spot, but for them, it is their lifetime home. In the book, I thought it was cool that he told the story about how his family treated him and it made him feel like an outsider and that he needed to change. I never want to be that hearing person that makes others feel like they aren’t worth it because they are deaf and they need to change. From now on my plan is to respect and encourage the deaf to be themselves and never push them to become something they are not. This book opened my eyes to the world outside of the bubble and I’m grateful for

My view while watching the documentary was what I had expected it to be. I found that I actually already knew a lot of the information discussed in the film, not a lot was new. I still found myself “rooting” for the deaf community. I felt angry when the hearing word made the deaf world believe that ASL was wrong, and felt proud as the Gallaudet University fought to have someone from their world

In the essay, “Deafness/Disability - problematising notions of identity, culture and structure, Mairian Corker focuses on the tension between Deaf and disabled people. As Corker analyzes the division between Deaf and disabled people she reflects on Margaret Archer’s views. Corker explains that Margaret Archer viewed “ the structural (‘parts’) and cultural (‘people’) domains are substantively different, as well as being relatively autonomous from each other” (Corker 2002). Throughout her essay Corker talks about the different theories in Deaf studies and disability studies to explain the same issues. These issues include identity, culture,

Prior to reading these chapters I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I have never really been exposed to the Deaf- World. I have watched shows such as Switched at Birth, but I know that it doesn’t completely portray the real Deaf- Community. I was extremely interested in seeing their side of the story and gaining insight on the life they live. I decided to read chapters one, and two. The first chapter is an introduction into the Deaf World, in a story format it shows major differences between the world of the Deaf and the hearing. While the second chapter talks about the struggles of a deaf child, and mainly the two different approaches between deaf and hearing parents. Overall, the beginning two chapters of A Journey into the Deaf- World

After reading Chapter 1 of “Through Deaf Eyes”. I was not surprised by the facts that were introduced in Chapter 1. Some of these things that were talked about and discussed I have experienced in my life as a deaf person with cochlear implants.

The reading discussed deaf identity, as well as the stigma that is attached to American Sign Language. In one example the author discusses a driving incident where an angry women was yelling at them and after explaining to the woman that they were deaf, the woman angrily stated, “well, if you’re deaf, then read my lips” (Harmon, 2010, p. 32). It becomes clear the many ways that society condescendingly tells disabled people what to do, to follow instructions they give, all while constantly assuming incapability. Deaf individuals are relentlessly being reminded that there is no room for them in this world, when in fact it is society that makes it difficult to maneuver this world through the barriers they create themselves. The reading identifies these misguided societal stresses by stating an, “… emphasis on a shared language rather than on a hearing status… the intention is to avoid reiteration of a problematic hearing-deaf frame of reference” (Harmon, 2010, p. 36). Here, Harmon makes a strong point to erase the stigma towards deafness as a barrier, while viewing ASL just like any other language, which is a quality skill and not just something learned due to

There are a lot of misconceptions that Deaf are not intelligent because they can’t speak or choose not to. I think this often why Deaf people choose not to speak because they think that other people will judge them. It’s sad because Deaf people are just as smart but just because they don’t have confidence with their speech they can sometimes be looked down on by hearing people. This topic also strengths their love for ASL because it’s a since of pride and people are able to communicate with that just as

My first destination as an individual with a hearing loss was the Café. When the lady at the entrance took my ODU card and told me to have a nice day I realized right away that it was awkward to talk. When she gave my card back to me I said “thankyou”. When I said “thankyou” it felt like I couldn’t hear myself that well. So I wasn’t sure if I was talking really low or really high. After getting my card back I went in line to get two hot dogs and some fries. When I arrived at the line the guy who was serving the food said something but I wasn’t sure what.