'What It's Like To Be Deaf ?'

Deaf Awareness 'What It's Like To Be Deaf' American Sign Language.

This is Katie describing what it's like to be Deaf. For those who cannot understand her sign language, this is what she is saying...

'What It's Like To Be Deaf ?'

People have asked me. I have no problem answering or explaining how I lost my hearing. But to explain what it's like to be Deaf? It's very Simple: I can't hear. No, wait... it is much more than that. It is similar to a goldfish in a bowl, always observing things going on. People talking all the... times. It is like a man on his own island among foreigners.

Isolation is no stranger to me. Relatives and friends say hi and bye, but I sit among them for 5 hours trying to be involved. Natural curiosity perks up upon seeing great laughter, crying, anger.

Inquiring only to meet with a "Never mind", "Nothing" or "Oh, it's not important". Seeing them laugh and look at me makes me think they are making fun of my disability when they weren't.

Getting a summarized statement of the whole day. I'm supposed to smile to show happiness. Little do they know how truly miserable I am trying to understand. People are in control of language usage, I am at loss and really uncomfortable there. Always feeling like an outsider among the hearing people, Even though it was not their intention. They are always assuming that I am part of them by my physical presence, but not understanding the importance of communication. I must make the choices constantly, no wonder why I choose Deaf friends? I get such great pleasure at the Deaf events, before I even realize it, it is already the end of the day. Our language is common, we understand each other clearly.

Being at loss of control of the environment which is communication we rely on such technology such as smartphones to communicate with hearing people, and yet some people panic and retreat to avoid Deaf people like the plague.

But again we Deaf people are still human beings With dreams, desires, and goals sometimes we just feel the need to Belong, just like everyone else. That's how I am Deaf.

Please support our cause and go to https://change.org/petitions/oppose-hb and sign our petition.

Related: For Those Who Don't Understand What It's Like To Be Deaf

Related Deaf and Hearing Worlds:
Deaf Awareness: Alone In A Deaf World
Deaf Awareness: Alone In A Hearing World
Ted Evans - In Search Of The DEAF WORLD
Living In Between The Deaf And Hearing Worlds
A Hearing Son In Deaf Family 'I'd Rather Be Deaf'
Dropout Rate Among Mainstream Deaf Students
Life and Deaf - BBC4 Documentary
Through Deaf Eyes - Documentary Film

Related Mainstreaming School:
Mainstream School Lacks Communication Access
Dropout Rate Among Mainstream Deaf Students
Mainstream School Is Failing Deaf Students
Living In Between The Deaf And Hearing Worlds
Deaf Awareness: Alone In A Hearing World
Deaf Awareness 'Voiceless' Short Film

Related Bullying at Mainstreaming School:
Bullies Dump Deaf Student's Backpack In Toilet
Bullied Deaf Boy Forced To Leave School
Deaf Girl's Bullying In Mainstream School
Deaf Victim Of Bullying At Three Different Schools
Deaf Student Bullied at the AG Bell School
Deaf People Bullied By The AG Bell Association

Related Documentary:
Deaf Awareness: Alone In A Deaf World
Deaf Awareness: Alone In A Hearing World
Ted Evans - In Search Of The DEAF WORLD
Living In Between The Deaf And Hearing Worlds
A Hearing Son In Deaf Family 'I'd Rather Be Deaf'
Life and Deaf - BBC4 Documentary
Through Deaf Eyes - Documentary Film
Living In Between The Deaf And Hearing Worlds
Deaf Awareness 'Voiceless' Short Film
VICE News: Deaf Culture 'Signs of Change'
Can Deaf People Hear Their Own Thoughts ?
Deaf Documentary Film: 9/11 Fear In Silence
The Deaf Holocaust - Deaf People and Nazi Germany
A&E: Born This Way Presents 'Deaf Out Loud'