Deaf Schools vs. Hearing Schools

I am currently in the hearing school. There are pros and cons about going mainstreaming. One of the pros is the fact that I get good education. One of the cons is the fact it is hard for me to understand hearing people sometimes. I am thinking about going back to a deaf school–Indiana School for the Deaf. But that does not change the fact that I was born hearing, English is my first language, and I live in the hearing world and I choose to accept that.

There are also pros and CONS (I capitalized and underlined cons because I know you’d overlook “cons” on purpose) about deaf schools. One of the pros is the easier method of communication. One of the cons is that sometimes education is a bit too easy. So, aren’t schools about education? If so, why do you emphasize that every thing Deaf is perfect? The generality of you deaf people that went to a hearing school say that hearing people oppressed you. Now I go to a hearing school and I don’t think hearing people oppress me.

The reason why I want to go back to a deaf school is not because hearing people oppress me, but because I miss having easy communication methods.

A Blessing or a Curse?

Hi, my name is David Mayes. My mom is Karen Mayes.

I was born in Greece, New York, but I grew up in East Rochester. But currently I am living in Indiana. I have one sister, three cats. I was born hearing, but I started losing my hearing at 3 years old. Now I am deaf.

Now, I have hearing aids. I know many of you would disagree with me, but I am more hearing than deaf. But I am doing fine. Please don’t criticize people’s choices because you and I have no right to interfere with their lives. So, I ask you a question: if you don’t like us, does that mean you don’t like yourself either? Because we are all deaf, that means, to your word, “we are all one deaf culture” ? So, you also say that people like us divide deaf people? No, you choose to see that way. So that basically means you divide yourself. True. I am wondering…is the real purpose of deafhood to accept the diversity of deaf people?

I would also like to say: Go, Paotie!:o)

I keep asking myself this question: is being deaf a blessing or a curse? It is not either. It is not a blessing because we have something taken away from us. And it is also not a curse because if you choose to use it wisely, it can also help teach other people.