"D"eaf Culture

Throughout the Experiential Term, we were asked to immerse ourselves within the Deaf Culture by learning American Sign Language (ASL). In this month, I have experienced going off on my own during school hours to meet people in the Deaf Community. Although it was difficult to partially learn, a whole language in 3 weeks, the takeaway was much bigger than sign language.

I went to Holy Trinity's Children of Peace School for the Deaf.

"Define Disability" By DR March 21rst 

If you were there, you would understand the difference between “disabled” and “different.” These kids aren't missing out on anything, they can do anything a hearing kid can do. I believe that this goes against the meaning of "disability." When I visited the school, I didn't see a lesser being of any sort, nor did I see any disabilities. I saw kids playing with toys, learning how to cook, and acquiring knowledge.

LaRabida Children's Hospital inspired me the most because of their purpose. They are not a "blood & guts" hospital which means they do not deal with broken legs or arms, but they deal with disabled kids with rare diseases and kids that may need special attention. At this hospital, they have school set up by mental levels and grades, they also have food for all the children and ASL teachers to help the mute and deaf kids communicate. This is so inspirational to me because of their dedication to these kids whose lives who are at stake. I find it very courageous and mindful to take care of high risk kids in their environment. This is the hospital I go to, so when I visited this hospital it provided something a lot deeper than a tour. I find it very courageous and mindful to take care of high risk kids in their environment.

I would like to thank LaRabida for opening up about their Disability Services and letting me and my peers tour their amazing facility. They have really changed my perspective on the world's view towards disabled children.

In my group, I was responsible for coming up with questions and guiding our story. My two roles were Editor & Interviewer. It turned out that my questions guided our message and purpose. I contributes to the creation of our Guiding Question. Working in this group, I learned my own definition of "disabled" and my own perspective on what's inferior and what is not. I also learned that working in groups can lead to bigger and better things in the long run. Throughout this whole project my group mates made this easier by playing their roles really well. I am definitely most proud of my contribution towards sub and guiding questions. I also went out and got other peoples perspective on Deaf Culture.

I was transformed throughout this term by learning American Sign Language and getting close to deaf people. When you talk to a deaf person, you think of the fact that they can't hear, but what you're missing is the fact that they can talk/communicate. When I used to think of being deaf, it was scary, but now I just believe that it is just like hearing. My way of looking at it, is that deaf people can hear. They hear silence, which is more beautiful than screaming and police sirens everyday. 

We can live in another person's shoes by simply engaging in their culture and looking deeply into their perspective on things. Throughout the Experiential Term, I have realized the key to happiness is what you make it.