morerobots:
So because of that previous post I reblogged with the person feeling sorry for deaf/hoh because we can apparently hear nothing and live in a world of silence, I wanted to share something more personal.
When I was in fifth grade, I joined the school choir. Thought it would be fun, and all my friends were in it too and encouraged me to join. If I have music I can more or less figure out where I’m supposed to be at singing wise so I wasn’t a failure at it.
One day for the spring concert, the teacher asked for volunteers for more solo-y stuff and I volunteered because why not (I was one of those kids who was into participating and stuff). When she got to me she had this look on her face, I’ll never forget it ever I don’t know how to describe it but it was a weird look, like a mixture of condescension and pity and trying to figure out what to do with me. But she said she’ll find something for me to do.
This is what she found: everyone would sing the star spangled banner and I would sign it. No! I wanted to sing. I didn’t even know how to sign. But I took it. I learned the signs, everyone loved it - it was kind of cool and I did a really good job so I’m proud of that at least - but it was still disheartening because she still singled me out since I’m deaf I clearly cannot sing. Also because I’m deaf clearly I know how to sign (not true).
So, that attitude is one I’ve had to deal with a lot. That because I’m deaf I can’t appreciate or express myself through music. It makes me especially irate to see people think they understand this aspect.
Yeah, when I was in elementary school (grade 4), we had music class and I was super excited about it. I started playing the recorder and even though I couldn’t feel the vibrations (thus not much of a reward for me) I still had fun memorizing the notes and playing with everyone. The teacher thought I was good and went out of her way to give me private lessons with playing the piano which was more fun for me. In high school, I asked the music teacher to let me join the school band so I could play the drum or something that had a lot of vibrations. I was alllllll about drums (to the point where I taught myself to play the bongo - haha - at home) but she said I couldn’t, because I was deaf. I was way more into art so I kind of just brushed it off and focused more on art and metalwork. But looking back, it pisses me off.
Can you imagine being deaf, and never once hearing music? Or someone say “I love you”?
liveitkelsey:
I honestly can’t fathom it. For me music has always been so huge in my life. It is my motivation, my outlet, my way of connecting with God; and to think that some people go their whole lives without hearing it… wow.
What brought this on is that I am taking sign language this semester. It makes me feel so torn. I want to be able to communicate with these people that can’t hear, but at the same time my heart also hurts for them, that they do not get to experience what I do.
I find comfort in knowing that their hearing will be perfect in heaven, and honestly, I bet they will be the ones with the most beautiful voices, and the deepest appreciation for all music and sound.
Already this is such a wonderfully eye opening semester for me. It is going to be really difficult though. On my first day of classes we were not only debating capital punishment, but also questioning if the death penalty is ethical and moral. These were in 2 separate classes as well. I pray that I can be a light in these classrooms this semester, and spread even more of God’s message of love to the other students.
Never pity anyone. Nobody wants your pity. I really hope the “sign language” class will open your eyes up a bit. There are so many Deaf people who are happy to be the way they are and if they believe in heaven, they probably would want to be Deaf in heaven too. I don’t believe in heaven so that doesn’t apply for me but I love being Deaf and I never, never, never, not even once, have ever wished I could hear someone say “I love you” or understand music (I can hear it to a point). Not even once. My lover touching me with her hands, kissing my cheek - my lips - my eyelids, making eye contact, and signing “I love you” is such a gift. I couldn’t possibly ask for any more and I don’t want any more. Hearing it doesn’t really make it any different (also if I wore hearing aids, I would hear these words but I choose to not wear hearing aids so obviously sound isn’t all that important to me). It’s about the emotion behind the words, the connection you share with the person, not how you “receive” the words.
Fucking people and their pity.
My love is getting into photography!
My partner and I are looking for a good camera. Partner wants to get a DSLR Rebel. What would be the best lens for shooting action shots? We wanna be able to get great pictures of our Great Dane (who HATES sitting still!). Any help you can give us would be great!
Hi! I don’t really take a lot of action shots so I’m not the best person to ask. It also depends on what kind of action shot, like would it be action captured from far away or close up and would you want more of the background in focus or blurred out… that sort of info is what would help you decide on what lens to get. Also you could get a zoom lens which would give you more freedom when it comes to images captured at various lengths. I would definitely pop in at a camera store and ask questions and test some lens out. Good luck!
