Fuelforthesoul,
being deaf has one advantage -
Real life communication would mean more. Say someone uses sign or writes notes - it takes effort and shows someone cares to communicate.
I guess many take hearing for granted and spoken communication becomes meaningless.
People don't listen anyways. :?

Plus, you will save $1,000'* over your lifetime on thngs like phone and radios stuff.
Well maybe not cell, there is text message...

If i had to sacrafice one sense, it would be hearing or smell.
One can look at what they want or not, feel what they want or not (to an extent) Taste is optional, but odors and sounds are forced on us.

I am guessing your eyesight is above average? They say when someone lacks one sense, another makes up for it, on count of that unused portion of the brain and psyche?

And yo are right, inability to hear is not a handicap. Where you don't use energy concentrating on sounds, you spend that energy on other things.

That I gotta see/learn! It would come in so handy at work...

I knew you were cool when you thought my idea of a parking lot full of fart cannons at the Deaf School was even funnier than I did! You gotta be proud of what makes you unique.

I have a hearing loss, but it'* fairly minor. After all the years of machine guns and sirens and whatnot as a cop in the Army, I have a frequency specific hearing loss and that friggin' ringing thing all the time. I doubt I could handle it as the only thing I ever hear, and still have your positive attitude, tho.

Let me throw my "Glad to have you aboard" into this thread as well....

Fuel...I picked up on it right away. And I know you are a wisea** also.

I have and have had quite a few friends and coworkers that were deaf. It'* cool to be around deaf friends. You can talk to them with out actually speaking. Merely move your lips and they know what you are saying..but no one else does.

Like "Pssst, fuel ...look over there...isn't that chick HOTTTT" (Oh..it'* just PJ..forget it)

owned!

Wow... what a instant overnight response. I went to bed at 10:30 last night and now i just got in 3rd Period where I have access to internet. Wow

I was quite surprised that I was a wisea**, I didn't think I was....

I hope I can cover all of your questions. I'll start with Pmom.

My opinions on implants is that they're worthless for me. I despite them. I feel that it'll take away your identity (Pmom is referring to cochlear implants for those who have no idea what Pmom is talking about.) I'm happy with the way I am so I just don't want them.

WCBF, hmm, I would really rather drive than fly. (fear of flying) Maybe if I could convince my parents to let me go. (unlikely but I'll try)

Logan, no it'* not true, I have never heard a loud buzzer, heck, I didn't even know old stoves had them until now.

Okay Hans, you know that everyone from different parts of the country has accents, there is a "deaf" accent. It makes it really hard for anyone to understand it unless I've been hangin out with the same people over and over then they'll understand when I voice. How I respond? Depends on the question really. But if it'* lengthy and it'* from a clueless person, I'll usually write it down.

Thank you PJ, I do really enjoy hanging out with you guys via online.

Tracy, maybe I'll consider coming out to the WC, (see Pmom'* question'* reply)

Pmom, you're right on the target, you have to use expressions, but this That'* ASL (american sign language) I don't sign that way, I just sign english like how hearing people speak. I find it'* easier to sign and to communicate in English for me.

My name sign is same as "Pontiac" but in "C". Yes, Pontiac (the car brand) does have a name sign. Okay I'll teach you. Take your thumb and your point finger and put them together. Now taking that and put it next to your mouth and lift then place it on your cheek. That'* Pontiac.

Fanastic88, I'll do that but less severe

JimmyFloyd, I'll teach you when I come to RIT.

Impatient99. You're absolutely right, when people attempt to communciate, it shows they want to be your friend. My eyesight is normal but my sense of smell and feel is very keen. I can smell anything one floor below me.

MOS, if you do come to a meet, I'll teach you then I'll call you that.

Bill, I didn't know I was a wisea**

BTW...my friends that are deaf as you mention can "voice" .. I find it amazing how someone that has never heard anything can actually voice things.

And yes..you need to learn a little.

you know fuel,

i do mission trips around the world...and once, when I was in the Republic of Georgia (near Russia, Turkey, etc.) i worked with over 200 refugee kids that were all orphans. a group of over 50 were profoundly deaf. and in those countries, i would hate to think of the living hell those kids have to face....because deaf kids are seen as complete throwaways over there...anyway, i chose to attempt to teach those 50 how to march and drill. i had 30 days to teach them complex moves...both singularly and as a team. what a blessing it was at the end of the month, to watch them put on a literal performance for all the staff, other kids, and various locals...an audience of more than 300 people! and they looked awesome! i have pics. if you are familiar with marching and drilling moves (not the military kind...much cooler), then you'll realize how much these precious kids worked to get to that point. i loved those kids more than anything...and i learned alot about myself during that time. now, i wish i could've dragged you out there, and we could have done it together...myabe sometime... * planning *

One of my drinking buddies is completely deaf, but he reads lips. He says when we get drunk, he can longer read our lips, he can tell we are slurring, and he can't make out what we are saying. It probably doesn't help that by that time he is usually drunk too.

<mental note: do not fart near Fuel>

Edit: In all seriousness, thank you for this discussion Fuel. This is one of the best Lounge discussions because it'*, well, it'* real, it'* informative, it'* interesting....

Yeah, so much for the whole meet idea. I can just see him running aaround pointing out who did it...