How is it that we do not regard ourselves as disabled?  Is it because of the way we were raised, to be not different from other people?  Is it because our difference is invisible and outwardly we look and move about like everyone else? What is the origin of this "not disabled" feeling? This attitude is so pervasive that we object to any surgery or expensive devices as less-than-successful attempts to "fix" us to meet Hearing standards.

The majority of the world considers us disabled, often to our consternation. When we say we want deaf children born to us, the world hollers in indignation, "HOW DARE YOU!?" They consider it extreme child abuse. Mostly, though, Hearing people take no notice and therefore omit making  room for Deaf people in their communities. In an earlier time, people would shunt aside Deaf citizens, saying with impunity, "Sorry, we have no provisions for hearing handicapped people." As a child, I was taught, "it's a hearing world and you must adapt to them, not expect them to adapt to you." We were considered selfish and immature for thinking otherwise.

Yet, we gratefully accept special considerations such as schools for the deaf, colleges dedicated to deaf students, interpreters, government assistance, and electronic devices, among others. In seeking jobs, we willingly accept any extra help that comes our way. In public areas such as airports and meetings with public servants i.e. police, we tread with unusual care, mindful of bad experiences that our people had. Despite what we say, inwardly we seem to accept that we are different and that it means accepting help, if somewhat reluctantly.

These special accommodations, some of which were legislated, are lifesavers for most of us. Can we refuse them? Certainly we can, but what purpose does it accomplish? Will it cause people to finally believe we are not disabled as we carry on with pad and pencil, less than perfect speech, expensive aids and struggle to survive at the bottom of the employment applications pile? If we continue to insist we are not disabled, all that will happen is politicians happy to cut budgets and voters not noticing or caring.

While we ponder what it means to own the word "disabled" along with "Deaf", here are two examples drawn from other disability groups to add food for thought.

Kevin Connolly is a man born without legs who says the same thing. Raised by parents who treated him no differently, he graduated with a degree in photography and travels the world on a regular skateboard taking pictures. His scenic photos are striking, but one series is a great hit: captures of people staring at him in shock as he rolls by on the ground in various cities of Europe. He doesn't use wheelchairs or wear prosthetic legs and happily skis, directs movies (see the terrific captioned one on his website!) and lectures. http://kevinmichaelconnolly.com

Similar to the situation of former Congressman Tony Coelho, a man with epilepsy (so severe that he is prohibited from driving, certain occupations and studies) contains the element of not feeling disabled. He objects to attempts to medicate him because trying to "fix him" causes him to feel "not himself." This is an earlier blog I wrote about him: http://www.xanga.com/dianrez/613749478/tony-coelho-original-author-of-the-ada.html