→ Deaf Aspie: morerobots: So because of that previous post I reblogged with the...

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.

I know the feeling. I’ve seen and heard parents after stuff like All-County yelling at their kids going, “The DEAF kid chaired higher than you?! Clearly you need more lessons and practice.” Or, people thinking that because I’m deaf I can’t possibly be a composer. Gah, I’m sorry to have this happen to you. 

it reminds me of when i was in 4th & 5th grade when i played clarinet in the band. the teacher thought i did very well playing clarinet and i followed the notes very well. many people didn’t realize that i’m Deaf. Deaf people can play music so well! i hate it when people think we can’t do it.

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  1. owlites reblogged this from thunderifical
  2. thunderifical reblogged this from caoilinn
  3. caoilinn reblogged this from birdjabber
  4. birdjabber reblogged this from rejectallamerican
  5. arfism reblogged this from morerobots and added:
    (grade 4), we had...was super excited about...I started...
  6. rejectallamerican reblogged this from green-street-politics
  7. green-street-politics reblogged this from morerobots
  8. thatdeafchick reblogged this from morerobots and added:
    ^^^ perfect. why...deaf people cant enjoy music is beyond me. i love music!
  9. thelegalizeddeafies reblogged this from morerobots
  10. teethofthenight said: Thank you for sharing this Cait. A sad honest little story. I’m not deaf but I completely understand how a certain look from an adult can linger in your memory forever like a dark cloud.
  11. morerobots posted this