Guest Author - Kelli Deister

In an earlier article, I wrote a little about the differences between being deaf and being Deaf. I also wrote about why late-deafened adults are not members of the Deaf community. It is my understanding that while they may participate in the events within the Deaf community, they are not considered to be Deaf. Again, there are many differences between being deaf and being Deaf. To be deaf is to be a hearing person with hearing loss; whereas, to be Deaf is to be an accepted member of the Deaf community with its own culture. Therefore, we must then consider why those that are deaf, medically speaking, are not members of the Deaf community.

I don’t believe that a hard of hearing person can fully grasp what it is to be Deaf. They will grasp the fact that they have hearing loss, but they most likely will not understand why they are not considered to be a member of the Deaf community. To some, it appears as an easy answer. The hearing person begins to ponder their newfound deafness and thus assumes that the only requirement in joining the Deaf community is to be deaf.

If a person grows up with their hearing intact, they are accustomed to living life through their ability to hear a smorgasbord of sounds. Having had their hearing affected, they can only understand a sliver of the many frustrations that Deaf people face daily. The late-deafened person will not be able to fully comprehend the injustices and prejudices that the Deaf encounter on a regular basis.

I believe that a person cannot fully understand another’s plight, until they have endured the exact same situations. A person that has never had alcohol cannot understand what it is to be an alcoholic. A person that is four feet tall cannot understand what it is to be six feet tall. A person that is deaf cannot possibly understand, and grasp, what life is like for those that have been Deaf their entire lives. Quite honestly, without understanding, there will always be a gap between those that are deaf and those that are Deaf. This was exemplified during the recent protest at Gallaudet.

Those that are deaf will not completely understand the culture of those that are Deaf. I believe that the Deaf community, with their rich culture, deserves respect. They have undoubtedly survived many challenges and obstacles, only to prevail as a community and a culture. Taking all of this into context is important, since the most recent hiring of Dr. Fernandez hints at the fact that she didn’t learn sign language until she was in her adult years. It is my understanding that she is deaf, but not Deaf.

Perhaps the question in all of this is whether or not those that are deaf and were raised oral are members of the Deaf community or the hearing community. It is also about those that have been hearing and lose their hearing as they get older. This issue seems to be raising its head several times recently.