Links referenced in this vlog

• ASL Browser
• Hand Speak ASL Instruction
• Linguistic Determinism (defined)

Margie: Lauren, I enjoy following your work. The ideas you present are fresh and current. Your presentation style is very polished. There's some kind of tracking that automatically move the camera when you lean into a sign. I find myself paying attention more to the adjustments made by the camera than your message. I thought you'd like to know that. Well, hope all is well with you and I look forward to your next vlog.

Christopher: I'm right now at 33 losing my hearing, and so quickly trying to figure out my communications strategy and slipping in and between two different worlds. (Out of the hearing but not yet able to communicate with the deaf.) Generally, I'm okay. I'm trying to have an anthropological remove about it and be fascinated by it. And let the process happen -- but I'm a talker, a converstationalist. I love to communicate. So it's been perhaps more unsettling than I'd hoped. Thanks for this post, though, it was comforting to read.

Kim: Hi, I know what it feels like to be trapped in hearing world. I am a deaf person who has a hearing family and worked in a hearing environment. Reading lips and speak to them in all of my whole life is really frustrating sometimes. I also sometimes left behind of what they were saying in a conversations, learned ASL and English sign language since I started in high school and made a lot of deaf people (now old friends). I am glad to have all the things like tty, pagers, and videophones (VPs)to contact hearing and deaf people.

deborah: I have been deaf now for 7yrs. And for the most part I think I have adjusted well but I do admit learning ASL has been very difficult for me and also the loneliness at times is very difficult but I do manage. Also because I am around a lot of hearing people, I think this too adds to the isolated feeling. I really enjoy your bloggs thanks for listening(smile)

Ryan: Now I know that I am not the only deaf person who goes through "isolated" ordeals. I must accept who I am. I am very proud to be a Deaf man.

Ryan: Lauren, I am very happy that you commented about being isolated in the hearing world. I can't lie that I am too isolated in my workplace and in my hearing family because I can't do two basic requirements (speech and lipreading) very well. I do agree with you, Lauren, that I should make more efforts to socialize with hearing people, but it is going to be extremely difficult and frustrating. You made me feel much better since I felt like being the only person who experienced this kind of barrier. Thanks so much!

Harmon P.: Re Lauren's vlog discussion on ASL being a part of our DNA as Deaf people, her comments reminds me of this item from Torah: We see the world the way we are. We do not see the world the way it is. HPMenkis

Eric: I'd love to see you comment more on what we can do to reduce the isolation when we're within a hearing group setting.