The Limping Chicken

Deaf News: Medical trial set to use gene therapy to trigger...
The Limping Chicken An article in New Scientist (which you can read here) has told of how a group of 45 profoundly deaf people will receive gene therapy which could trigger some growth in their natural hearing. The treatment, which has already been successful trialled on mice, involves the injection of a “harmless” virus into the ear. Extract: […]
Thu, Apr 24 2014 · 1 hour ago

Kim Hungerford: UK Banks could learn a thing or two from...
The Limping Chicken I am from Australia and my partner Des from the UK tells me of the problems that deaf people have with banks, especially when fraud protection measures stop them from using their cards. Normally banks alert customers by a telephone call if they suspect fraud but a deaf customer can’t answer that call. So, then […]
Thu, Apr 24 2014 · 8 hours ago

Deaf News: Researchers find that regional variations of BSL...
The Limping Chicken British Sign Language is a rich, naturally evolving language, where the signs you use can vary according to where you live and where you went to school. Just like in English, where you may call a bread roll a ‘bap’, ‘barm’ or ‘cob’, partly depending on where you grew up, the vocabulary of BSL can […]
Thu, Apr 24 2014 · 12 hours ago

You’re reading the world’s 6th most popular disability...
The Limping Chicken Those of us here at the coop (!) were pleased to get an email recently from a disability researcher called Joseph Reddington, informing us that The Limping Chicken is the world’s 6th most popular disability blog, ranked by traffic. Reddington works at the Royal Holloway and regularly blogs on a range of issues, including disability […]
Wed, Apr 23 2014

Nick Sturley: The government should consider a radical...
The Limping Chicken A recent survey, conducted by City University, London, has concluded that the education system is failing Deaf children in the UK. This survey claims that more than half of oral–deaf children struggle with their reading skills, as do hearing children with dyslexia. The latter often receive adequate support at school while a majority of the […]
Wed, Apr 23 2014

Annelies Kusters: Preparing to investigate the use of...
The Limping Chicken In India, there is a large number of conventional gestures that practically everybody knows, such as “water,” “toilet,” “how much does it cost,” etc. We are investigating what happens when hearing people encounter deaf people who primarily use Indian Sign Language, and how both use gesture (and elements of speech and writing) to communicate. When […]
Tue, Apr 22 2014

Emily Howlett: I’ve had enough of competitive parenting
The Limping Chicken Kids, eh? They certainly get under your skin. How many new parents turn to the Internet to blog and tweet and otherwise explode across social media with a sudden joy they just can’t contain? How many of us simply have to share the incomparable awesomeness of these little humans we have discovered? Before the world […]
Tue, Apr 22 2014

Deaf News: Deaf teenager wins prestigious award then...
The Limping Chicken A deaf teenager from The Wirral has won a prestigious award for her work in raising awareness and campaigning for deaf children and then donated her £500 to charity. Bethany Eason, aged 16 and a cochlear implant user, was nominated by her Head Teacher for the Rotary Club Young Citizen Award because he was impressed […]
Thu, Apr 17 2014

Deaf News: Deaf teenager wins prestigious award then...
The Limping Chicken A deaf teenager from The Wirral has won a prestigious award for her work in raising awareness and campaigning for deaf children and then donated her £5000 to charity. Bethany Eason, aged 16 and a cochlear implant user, was nominated by her Head Teacher for the Rotary Club Young Citizen Award because he was impressed […]
Thu, Apr 17 2014

Deaf wrestler Sean Noone: What it was like to wrestle in...
The Limping Chicken When I was invited to wrestle in wrestling shows in Tokyo, of course, I grabbed the opportunity, as it was one of my dreams. The wrestling event had been arranged by a Japanese pro-wrestling company called Touroumon. I felt it was a huge honour to be invited to take part and flew to Japan at […]
Thu, Apr 17 2014

Cathy Fletcher: What playing tennis has given me, and how...
The Limping Chicken With the clocks having recently gone forward and the days getting longer, lighter and (I’ll say it quietly) brighter, summer is getting closer and more of us Brits will start to think about tennis as Wimbledon approaches. But for me and an increasing number of deaf people around the country, tennis is a year-round passion. […]
Wed, Apr 16 2014

“All I want is to be treated like a normal human being”...
The Limping Chicken A recent study by charity SignHealth has revealed that sign language users are more likely to suffer from long term health problems than their hearing counterparts, suffer misdiagnosis and have problems understanding their medication. The solutions to these problems involve expanding the use of sign language interpreters; but what of the hundreds of thousands of […]
Wed, Apr 16 2014

Tamsin Coates: Whatever equipment a deaf child uses, they...
The Limping Chicken ‘Is there any such thing as a deaf child anymore?’ This was a question I recently overhead, spoken by an education professional who works with children who are deaf/have a hearing loss. To put their question in context the lady was relating it to the different types of technology now available which deaf children can […]
Tue, Apr 15 2014

Laura Dunn: What it’s like to be the only deaf person at...
The Limping Chicken Picture this: The Karate Kid, awesome kicks, punches, getting one over the big guy… and then there’s this: a clumsy woman with a blank expression on her face while she is working out what Age uke, gyaku tsuki, gedan barai actually means. This woman is me, in my karate class early in the morning, with […]
Tue, Apr 15 2014

John Walker: 10 things deaf children learn at mainstream...
The Limping Chicken Did you go to a mainstream school? I did. This type of education is called ‘inclusive education’, and it is anything but. Here are 10 things I really learnt, when I went to mainstream secondary school from 1983 to 1990. 1. I’m different I am told that I went to a ‘normal school,’ but when […]
Mon, Apr 14 2014

Angie Aspinall: Three years ago today, my world went silent
The Limping Chicken It’s three years today since I… how do I say it..? Lost my hearing. Went deaf. Became suddenly deafened. Suffered ‘Sudden Sensori-neural Hearing Loss’. Suffered ‘Acquired Profound Hearing Loss’. It’s hard to sum up it up simply with an accurate description because I already had some degree of hearing loss in the affected ear and […]
Sat, Apr 12 2014

Deaf News: Deaf man from Derby proves doubters wrong to...
The Limping Chicken A profoundly deaf man has become a successful and popular taxi driver, working for Pride Executive Cars in Derby. It is believed that he may be the first deaf taxi driver in the UK, using specialised software to communicate with the offices and clients, and driving a taxi with notices informing passengers that he is […]
Fri, Apr 11 2014

Jen Dodds: Why from now on, I’ll be aiming to sign (and...
The Limping Chicken Last month, I wrote about how non-signing deaf people keep saying “what about us?” when signing deaf people campaign for BSL related stuff, like a BSL Act. That article went online at about 7am; lots of people read it and commented about it, including on Twitter and Facebook. Then, at 10 or 11am that day, […]
Fri, Apr 11 2014

Deaf News: Halifax bank apologises for asking deaf man to...
The Limping Chicken A deaf man from Slough was told by staff at his local branch of Halifax Bank that he would need to pay a £25 admin fee if he wanted staff to resolve a simple banking problem that people who can hear would be able to do for free. Mark Hooper, who uses sign language to […]
Thu, Apr 10 2014

Amanda Everitt: 5 things that French people do better than...
The Limping Chicken Us Brits love peering down our glasses at our Continental neighbours and sniggering at the striped t-shirt beret wearing Frenchman. It’s part of what makes us British – the ability to mock anyone who eats frogs legs. However, in my time in France, I have noticed that there are some things that the French may […]
Wed, Apr 09 2014

BBC See Hear Producer William Mager says access to...
The Limping Chicken Today’s edition of See Hear, the BBC’s programme for deaf and hard of hearing people, focuses on one of the biggest issues for deaf people today: access to healthcare.  With a seemingly never-ending stream of shocking stories revealing how deaf people are not receiving equal treatment in the NHS; deaf people’s access to healthcare has […]
Wed, Apr 09 2014

Cilla Black has a ‘hearing implant’ fitted but the Mail...
The Limping Chicken The Mail Online reported yesterday that the entertainer Cilla Black has had a hearing implant insterted into her right ear after she started to go deaf and speculated that the device was probably a cochlear implant. It was reported that Cilla, best known as a singer and presenter of Suprise, Suprise! opted for a cochlear […]
Tue, Apr 08 2014

Charlie Swinbourne: As genetic testing develops, will deaf...
The Limping Chicken What does the term “child abuse” mean to you? Most people would think immediately of emotional or physical abuse. Sexual abuse. Neglect. What else? Well, how about allowing a deaf baby to be born? This isn’t my question, but one asked aloud in an interview published in Saturday’s Guardian, with scientist Sharon Moalem, who has written […]
Tue, Apr 08 2014

Emily Howlett: How reporting my hospital experience to the...
The Limping Chicken A few months back, I found myself strapped to a spinal board in the back of an ambulance blue-flashing its way towards Accident and Emergency. It wasn’t for fun, I assure you. However, with the kind of extreme luck usually reserved for Lottery winners and those who accidentally buy a house next door to George […]
Mon, Apr 07 2014

Teresa Garratty: Is it time for deaf people to be a little...
The Limping Chicken I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but there seem to be an awful lot of angry Deaf people about. I bet some of you are already becoming enraged by reading that last sentence. Now, calm down dear! After all, life’s too short and I’m not even bothered. See? Look at my face… I’m not exactly […]
Mon, Apr 07 2014

Laura’s Pregnancy Diary: Four weeks to go and we’re...
The Limping Chicken Laura Hignett is deaf and pregnant. She is sharing her diary entries with us as she prepares for the birth of her first child. This week, Laura makes some progress with a deaf-friendly birthing plan Only 4 weeks to go! It is so scary how time can fly by – I can’t believe I have […]
Fri, Apr 04 2014

The Secret Deafie: I tried my best, but I couldn’t make...
The Limping Chicken The Secret Deafie is a regular column about deaf experiences submitted anonymously by different contributors. If you have a story you’d like to tell, just email thelimpingchicken@gmail.com So we all saw the latest video that hit the media about the miracle that is cochlear implants. Emily Howlett explains it well. But what about what happens […]
Fri, Apr 04 2014

Deaf News: Newcastle United FC allegedly refused to provide...
The Limping Chicken It has been alleged on social media that Newcastle United Football Club have allegedly refused to provide a 9 year old Deaf mascot with a sign language interpreter – unless his father waits outside the ground. The 9 year old boy was due to be the mascot at Saturday’s game against Manchester United, and it […]
Thu, Apr 03 2014

Jennifer Stuessy: The 10 most dangerous places for a...
The Limping Chicken I’m notorious for using hearing aids for a LONG time.  My first one lasted NINE years.  Another one lasted TEN. With my track record, you would think I was quite fastidious in their care, using the dri-n-store, removing the battery each night and keeping it in a little box lovingly wrapped in cloth. Truthfully, I’m […]
Thu, Apr 03 2014

Review: Deaf Improv Comedy
The Limping Chicken It wasn’t until we chatted in the pub afterwards that I really thought about it; having another man sitting close behind you with his fingers in your mouth, pulling your face apart, would be extremely uncomfortable.  Especially if it went on for a while. Matt Gurney, for it was he who was having his face […]
Thu, Apr 03 2014

Emily Howlett: The media should question whether viral...
The Limping Chicken So, another cochlear implant (CI) switch on has gone viral; reaching widespread coverage not just on the internet forums but across the televised news and papers. I say ‘another’, because this is by no means the first time such a video has captured the imagination of the mainstream media. One seems to capture the public […]
Wed, Apr 02 2014

Watch: BBC Breakfast News’ cochlear implant debates –...
The Limping Chicken After the video of a woman’s response to having her cochlear implant switched on went viral last week, BBC Breakfast News hosted a debate with William Mager (Series Producer of See Hear) and Craig Crowley (CEO of Action Deafness) in which they discussed the issue of how cochlear implants are viewed by the media, against […]
Tue, Apr 01 2014

Matt Dixon: What did my dying dad think of the fact I had...
The Limping Chicken You might have seen an article about how I had to tell my deaf dad he was going to die. That article focused almost entirely on my frustrations with the NHS and how hard it can be to get a sign language interpreter; as my dad found out for himself as he battled the cancer […]
Tue, Apr 01 2014

Donna Williams: SignHealth are right – my Mum, and other...
The Limping Chicken Last week, two articles on Limping Chicken made an impact on me. SignHealth’s research showing the lack of access to healthcare for deaf people and Jen Dodds’s brilliant call for unity are both incredibly relevant to me right now. I’ve been an admin for the Spit the Dummy Facebook group campaigning for a BSL Act for […]
Mon, Mar 31 2014

Deaf News: House of Lords debate tonight on how the NHS is...
The Limping Chicken Following a shocking report on the health of deaf people, which was released last week by the Deaf health charity SignHealth, there will be a debate in the House of Lords today. The debate will look at ways of improving the health of deaf people. SignHealth’s Sick Of It report shows that Deaf people have […]
Mon, Mar 31 2014

Charlie Swinbourne: The story behind The Kiss, which...
The Limping Chicken As I write, I’m sitting in the cafe at Bradford’s National Media Museum, eating a flapjack and enjoying a coffee, having just seen my short film The Kiss premiere at the 20th Bradford International Film Festival. The film is a comedy about a hearing couple and a Deaf couple who start talking to one another […]
Fri, Mar 28 2014

Mike Hawthorne: Why I’m running the London Marathon to...
The Limping Chicken Even though I’ve always kept active – gymnastics and dancing are my big passions – I never really liked running. But next month I will be running a gruelling 26.2 mile race along with the 37,000 runners taking part in the London Marathon. Why, you ask? Well, it’s not just for the thrill of taking […]
Fri, Mar 28 2014

Watch: Joanne Milne’s very emotional viral cochlear...
The Limping Chicken News spread online yesterday about a deaf woman, with Usher syndrome, who can be seen crying with joy in an online video when her cochlear implants were activated for the first time. According to Mail Online, Joanne Milne, aged 40, began to lose her hearing as a toddler and in her twenties, also her sight. […]
Fri, Mar 28 2014

The founders of The Tree House website explain why they set...
The Limping Chicken After The Tree House group was established recently, we thought we’d ask the founder members, Sara Jae, Robin McMeekin and Kirsty McMullan what the thinking was behind the group. Here they each tell us – have a read of their thoughts and check out the group on the links below. Sara Jae: Why is our Facebook […]
Thu, Mar 27 2014

Amanda Richards: How my seven years of silence came to an...
The Limping Chicken I had worn hearing aids all my life but seven years ago I was subjected to some awful abuse that destroyed my confidence and drove me away from the hearing world. The fact that I wore hearing aids and used sign was the reason my abusers targeted me. My abusers held vibrating mobile phones to […]
Thu, Mar 27 2014

Jen Dodds: BSL users shouldn’t have to battle with other...
The Limping Chicken So many things about being deaf are the same, no matter “how deaf”’ you are, or how you like to communicate. Most of us can lipread – even if it’s only enough to understand important questions like “Do you want red or white wine?” Most of us also use subtitles; I’m sure there’d be total […]
Wed, Mar 26 2014

Deaf News: SignHealth claim research shows thousands of...
The Limping Chicken The Deaf healthcare charity SignHealth are today releasing the results of a five year study into the health of Deaf people, which they say shows that thousands of Deaf people are suffering from undiagnosed, potentially life-threatening conditions, because of unintentional neglect by the NHS. The charity also say that this is costing the health service £30 […]
Tue, Mar 25 2014

Professor Graham Turner: Why I took a vow of silence, and...
The Limping Chicken Professor Graham Tuner of Heriot-Watt university has struck a chord with the Deaf community for taking a vow of silence, only communicating in BSL, for the last week. Here he writes about why he made the decision and the response he has got. I’m not quite sure what prompted the idea of taking a ‘vow […]
Mon, Mar 24 2014

Deaf News: Sir Alan Meale MP says Access to Work problems...
The Limping Chicken Sir Alan Meale, the MP who has tabled an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons to support deaf people in work, has called the government’s changes to the Access to Work scheme ‘misguided’ and the ‘tip of the iceberg’ when it comes to issues facing deaf people. Sir Alan, who is the MP […]
Fri, Mar 21 2014

Emily Howlett: When does accessible become dumbing down?
The Limping Chicken “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of Deaf, I shall fear no evil…” Except I do. I do fear, hmm, no, not evil, but I fear you lot. Deaf people. Even though I am one. I never used to, of course, but that was before I realised the terrible truth… You […]
Fri, Mar 21 2014

Laura’s Pregnancy Diary: It’s true that deaf people are...
The Limping Chicken Laura Hignett is deaf and pregnant. She is sharing her diary entries with us as she prepares for the birth of her first child. This week, Laura experiences inaccessible maternity services Six weeks to go! I have been attending my antenatal classes over the last two weeks. Thankfully they have gone ok and the midwives […]
Thu, Mar 20 2014

Deaf News: MPs formally back Access to Work campaign after...
The Limping Chicken Labour MP Sir Alan Meale has tabled an Early Day Motion asking the government to review its changes to Access to Work support for deaf people. Sir Alan Meale is the MP in Mansfield where John Smith, prominent member of the Deaf community and comedian, lives. He is said to have tabled the motion after […]
Thu, Mar 20 2014

Jennifer Stuessy: How do you wear your ‘Deaf’?
The Limping Chicken It never fails. The moment you look away from a group of hearing folk is when they start asking you questions. Of course, when you turn back, they are all waiting for an answer. Do you: Scream and point to an area beyond the group indicating a large insect/rodent is on the loose. Pretend not […]
Wed, Mar 19 2014

Ian Noon: The biggest shake-up to deaf education in a...
The Limping Chicken Last Thursday was a big day – Her Majesty decided to give her “royal assent” to the Children and Families Bill, thus turning it into the ‘Children’s and Families Act’. This Act sets out a whole new range of laws on special educational needs (SEN). A National Deaf Children’s Society FAQ for parents has more information but […]
Wed, Mar 19 2014

Deaf women more likely to face ‘serious complications’...
The Limping Chicken A midwfery student who won a prestigious national award for her work on a project to assist deaf women in pregnancy and childbirth has spoken out about the potential life-threatening risks they may face. Pauline Sporek, who studies in Salford but is originally from Poland, has just won an award from The Royal College of […]
Tue, Mar 18 2014