A Blessing or a Curse?
February 16, 2008Hi, 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.
I am proud of you! You have a talent for writing, all right ;o)
Smooches and hugs,
Mommy
Cool!
Blessing or a curse? Well, it’s a blessing that I can still hear. But it’s not like I’m high fiving everybody about my hearing loss yet I acknowledge and accept the fact that I do have a hearing loss.
Thanks Mike,
I have always admired your blogs. I am not high-fiving anybody either.
Dlmayes
I did not realize that you are so young man to blog this very first entry! BTW, Congrats!
Be like Paotie’s writings. Get practice, satirize and beat him
Be inspired.
Great first blog!!
I agree with you. Hearing loss is not a blessing or curse. It can be both or neither depending on the circumstance, but mostly it just IS. You seem to be a deep philosophical thinker. I look forward to your next blog.
Being deaf or hard of hearing is neither a blessing or a curse, it is how one view oneself as a person in spite of any shortcomings one may have! So, you’re blessed for having a great parent and it shows in how you wrote your blog!
David!
Awesome article!
You wrote: “And it is also not a curse because if you choose to use it wisely, it can also help teach other people.”
The best part about the above sentence is that one word adequately describes you. You are articulate, a great writer (already! GEESH!) and you are “wise” beyond your years.
Keep up the great writing!
GO, DAVID!!
Paotie
“you choose to use it wisely, it can also help teach other people.”
*Nodding* You are a wise young man.
Nobody should overrule your definition of yourself. If you feel you are more hearing than deaf, we should respect your feelings.
Welcome to DeafRead and I look forward to your blogs!
Karen,you must be very proud of your intelligent son! How old is he? Amazing writing skills, he has! Pat your shoulder!
Deafhood to me is embracing all people who consider themselves D/deaf regardless of their backgrounds, race, gender and life experiences/views. We all need to simply acknowledge their feelings, and embrace them in the Deaf world. There is no black & white world at all – All of us live in gray world with our own opinions, views and life experiences. Not all of us write well as you do.. not all of us grew up in Deaf school.. not all of us have Deaf family/relatives.. not all of us went to Gally, and many many more. Faith is the only we hold on and live to the fullest as Deaf people. Hugs from KS!
Kim, David just turned 11 years old a few days ago
). Actually, he was not mainstreamed all of his life… he attended Rochester School for the Deaf and he has been mainstreamed for a year and half so far. He is an avid reader, which perhaps helps a lot with the development of his writing skills.
This is real fun to read!
No wonder you are becoming so famous….I love your story! 