Are there any Deaf on AO

[halB]

It's not a culture, it's a disability. If my parents and sister had thought of it as a culture, she'd still be deaf.

Uh-Oh. This is where the flaming will start. I'm gonna take a step back, seeing as I'm neither deaf nor have anyone in my family who is deaf. But just don't let deaf people hear you say that.


Yes, that was on purpose.

id love to arrange something and get those ppl out on the field/socialize and build up their confidence.

Your heart's in the right place. Just don't say THAT. Most deaf people would bristle at the idea of needing to build up their confidence. The only reason you don't see them is because deaf people tend to stick with deaf people, because if there's one thing they hate it's being treated like they are disabled or damaged in any way by the hearing. They're like a gang. The most non-violent gang around.

[thahouse]

yes, halB, i misphrased that part...and i realize that now. Essentially i meant to bring them into a more social world and get more comfortable around things that are considered "out of their element"

Being deaf, i never understood why deaf people stuck with deaf people...I was born profoundly deaf, and never hung around deaf ppl...ive worked at night clubs, trained muay thai and BJJ, been a bodybuilder/powerlifter, etc...and yet to meet another deaf person in my ordinary life other when i was a child and went to speech therapy.

I just am baffled on how things are...and how those people think the way they do (like you mentioned at the end..how they hate being treated like they are disabled due to hearing) but yet, they dont make the effort to break the barrier of their lifestyles with ours..and on top of that, they most likely go to a school that specializes in education for the deaf, which is accomodated to help them understand better..(yes i know there are alot of exceptions with speech issues, etc) instead of putting the extra effort and going to a standard school with the gen. population.

And i base this on my perspective due to the fact that i went to the local elementry school, highschool and went off to university and college...and did really well...only help i had was an TA in elementry school until i reached grade 7...

[thahouse]

and yes, i believe deafness is a disability...and people who make it to be a cult either are ignorant, or need to kick themselves into reality and socialize with other people more...because its rediculous if they make themselves into a secluded posse and shun themselves from the real world...


Im sorry for the harsh words or if i offend anyone...but being deaf, it kinda irritates me that certain deaf people seperate themselves away from the general population..I would just love to meet other people like myself and get them to achieve what they can truly achieve...

[halB]

yes, halB, i misphrased that part...and i realize that now. Essentially i meant to bring them into a more social world and get more comfortable around things that are considered "out of their element"

Being deaf, i never understood why deaf people stuck with deaf people...I was born profoundly deaf, and never hung around deaf ppl...ive worked at night clubs, trained muay thai and BJJ, been a bodybuilder/powerlifter, etc...and yet to meet another deaf person in my ordinary life other when i was a child and went to speech therapy.

I just am baffled on how things are...and how those people think the way they do (like you mentioned at the end..how they hate being treated like they are disabled due to hearing) but yet, they dont make the effort to break the barrier of their lifestyles with ours..and on top of that, they most likely go to a school that specializes in education for the deaf, which is accomodated to help them understand better..(yes i know there are alot of exceptions with speech issues, etc) instead of putting the extra effort and going to a standard school with the gen. population.

And i base this on my perspective due to the fact that i went to the local elementry school, highschool and went off to university and college...and did really well...only help i had was an TA in elementry school until i reached grade 7...

:)

My momma always said you could lead a horse to water, but can't force it to drink. I too overcame a lot of crap in my life. I took the hard road. And when I see people who are exactly like I was I try to help them with the experience I gained by merely being born before them. And they just look at you like you're no longer in their world, like just because you got out of it you don't understand them now. It's sad. It seems some people only exist to be divisive. It's like some people revel in their own filth.

[thahouse]

no words spoken truer than what you said hal. I just wish there was a way to show them that there is far more for them than what they believe/are used to...

I think ill stay out of this topic until further notice so i dont piss off any more ppl on here than i potentially have lol.

[SR_matt]

im not deaf but my grand parents have lost a lot of their hearing and my brother has lost a decent amount of it from playing shows with no or not enough hearing protection. thats about as close as i get to it (hopefully i wont lose any or much hearing in my life). but i would love to learn sign language but like a bunch of languages the only words i really know are curse words

i do remember when i worked at a field there was a guy that came who was deaf (i also think he was autistic but i cannot remember). i remember this specifically because his brother had to lift his mask up
so he could read his lips to know the rules and then there was an issue when he got shot out (i think he really didnt understand what was up well enough due to his autism but of course that is a totally separate thing)

a good friend of mine (he was my confirmation sponsor and youth group leader) is an audiologist so while he doesnt get to deal with many people that are deaf from birth or a younger age he does get te deal with plenty of the older people with the "ehhh?!?!" hearing loss

-matt

[punkrex]

:)

My momma always said ...

My momma always said alligators are so ornery cause they got all them teeth but no tooth brush.

Name it?

[SR_matt]

w-w-w-w-w-water boy
-matt

[TeamJackal37]

im deaf, and have a cochlear implant as well. I hail from the great white north...AND absolutely love mags!

As for it affecting my playing style...it does keep me very aware of the field, and i had to learn how to utilize bunkers in terms of not sticking my head way out to see whats around me...thank goodness for wood bunkers and the gaps in em

In terms of communications, i cannot keep in contact with my team via throat mics/headsets, so we have adapted with hand signals that all teammates are to know, but also wear headsets with throat mics...so they relay messages to me and we mow muppets! muahahaha.

Its Great to know that they are some deaf Mag lovers out there, We use ASL, and sometime I use Mics but always telling my partners everything they say, when we are far apart we use Sidekick that fits perfect on the Flurry Vest. We have about 2 deaf that are hardcore paintball players, few come and go,we are continuing try to bring deaf into the games,That is our Goal

[TeamJackal37]

It's not a culture, it's a disability. If my parents and sister had thought of it as a culture, she'd still be deaf. She can hear and speak now thanks to modern medical science. There were "deaf culture" people local to us who berated and even threatened my parents when they made the decision to implant her. They are ignorant people and would rather remain deaf. I'm sorry, but that "deaf culture" crap blows my mind.

No matter what, Its still call Culture, there are 3 cultures in our deaf life, Hearing Culture, Hard of Hearing Culture, Deaf Culture. We dont not see colors of race, we see "Hearing",That is the way of life, But here where I live are mostly Mainstream, we went to Public school took class with all the Hearing people,we play High school football with Hearing people, So we are not like "Special People" We dont need your mouth to open big for us to understand what you say, Talk normal like everyone else, We can read lips. As on the Paintball Field, You wont hear us coming, we will see you before you see us, that will be after you get hit, We lost one sense, but makes our other sense more higher than other, we see better, we can smell a smoker a mile way. One way or the other,Some say we are gifted, I'm just thankful I got an arm and leg to play with my little 3yrs old girl, of course Paintball too

[TeamJackal37]

I've got to say that I am very much interested in this post! I've been playing paintball for about 11 years now and for the same time I've been "hearing impaired". I was lucky enough to develop ottosclerosis at an early age. To be fair this is the most common type of hearing loss and it is in no way total hearing loss (*about 65% loss in the human vocal range). Most who have this issue begin to develop it beyond their late thirties. It tends to affect specifically what frequencies you can hear. In my case (as is in many others) it affects my ability to hear most of the human vocal range. While this is disruptive during conversation, or pre-game planning, it's not particularly troubling during the game. In game, if people are talking they are generally shouting. I can also hear twigs snap or leaves move because those sounds are at different frequencies that I can still hear somewhat OK. My hearing is a little more tuned into this for the same reason. You'd also be surprised at what I can hear in a car engine

I wonder what it's like to play totally deaf. I find that I have a slight advantage up front because I don't get distracted by noises so I stick to business. Then again, it could just be because I don't like playing backman!

For me I cant hear very low sound, I can hear high sound, that might be why I like talking to women mostly, LOL, Like Microware might not hurt your ears, but they hurt mine so bad I need earplug,I have a friend that is oppsite of my hearing, he is good for listen car engine and tell you what wrong with it,

[AirAssault]

Yea my parents fought pretty hard to get insurance to cover it. It's unfortunate but worth the struggle. I mean she was stone deaf before and now she can hear everything.

That't the problem with freakin insurance companies. I had a friend that was a quad, his freakin manual wheel chair was $3000 His electric $7000 You think they covered any of it.... one guess.

My son is on the spectrum (autism) and I had to switch insurance companies to get them to cover his ST and OT.... We need big time health care and insurance changes in this country.



Now to get on some of you...... Yes it is a culture, no they do not need your help to feel more confident about themselves. There are many different views on implants and to do it or not. The folks that dogged your family because you wanted to implant are wrong, but some of the things some of you are saying are just as wrong. This is why I said let's keep our heads on..... I know a LOT of deaf people, and like I said, was pretty much only around deaf people for the greater part of 3 years. The BS the deaf put up with is amazing. Walk into a store, no one comes to ask to help like they do with hearing folks, of course until I call them over. Go out to eat, help is scared to approach the table. They "yell" hoping that will some how cure the persons deafness...... No it won't. Kristy (my GF) was not born deaf, she lost her hearing due to high fever at the age of 3, she was/is stone deaf as they say, has no hearing at all. She could however speak very well and read lips as well as I could hear. The deaf know when people are "yelling" and they laugh there butts off when morons do it. Now most of my deaf freinds tend to want to be around other deaf people, just as ethnic groups tend to do, gays/lesbians tend to do, just as most of us tend to do... we feel more comfortable around peopole "like" ourselves. There are some deaf that try to avoid situations where they will have contact with the hearing, just as some hearing try to avoid contact with the deaf. That is simply the way some people are, right or wrong.

Thahouse, you really need to understand that not all deaf are like you, which Im sure you do but ffs man, some of the things you said make YOU sound ignorant. Not trying to put you down, in fact that is the furthest thing from what Im trying to do. I applaud you and the choices you have made r/t your situation. Yes, Im sure you catch grief from some in the deaf community because you chose to implant, and they are wrong to judge you like that. Just as you are wrong to judge those that don't. Implants won't help EVERY deaf person. Implants were not an option for Kristy when we where together. Now I don't know if things have changed and and it is now an option (haven't seen her for 10+ years, have not followed the technology) but she always said she would not implant even if it would work for her and every one needs to accept that, including you and other deaf that have chosen to implant. Kristy was on the Deaf Olympic Volleyball team and traveled around the world playing, she was Mrs. Deaf Colorado as a few of my current deaf friends have been/are. To many deaf, it is a lifestyle, a culture a way of life that they chose not to change even if that option is available to them..... how about we respect their choice as they should respect yours. There are a holes in every walk of life, the deaf community included but that should not change the fact that respecting peoples' choices should be #1.

[thahouse]

That't the problem with freakin insurance companies. I had a friend that was a quad, his freakin manual wheel chair was $3000 His electric $7000 You think they covered any of it.... one guess.

My son is on the spectrum (autism) and I had to switch insurance companies to get them to cover his ST and OT.... We need big time health care and insurance changes in this country.



Now to get on some of you...... Yes it is a culture, no they do not need your help to feel more confident about themselves. There are many different views on implants and to do it or not. The folks that dogged your family because you wanted to implant are wrong, but some of the things some of you are saying are just as wrong. This is why I said let's keep our heads on..... I know a LOT of deaf people, and like I said, was pretty much only around deaf people for the greater part of 3 years. The BS the deaf put up with is amazing. Walk into a store, no one comes to ask to help like they do with hearing folks, of course until I call them over. Go out to eat, help is scared to approach the table. They "yell" hoping that will some how cure the persons deafness...... No it won't. Kristy (my GF) was not born deaf, she lost her hearing due to high fever at the age of 3, she was/is stone deaf as they say, has no hearing at all. She could however speak very well and read lips as well as I could hear. The deaf know when people are "yelling" and they laugh there butts off when morons do it. Now most of my deaf freinds tend to want to be around other deaf people, just as ethnic groups tend to do, gays/lesbians tend to do, just as most of us tend to do... we feel more comfortable around peopole "like" ourselves. There are some deaf that try to avoid situations where they will have contact with the hearing, just as some hearing try to avoid contact with the deaf. That is simply the way some people are, right or wrong.

Thahouse, you really need to understand that not all deaf are like you, which Im sure you do but ffs man, some of the things you said make YOU sound ignorant. Not trying to put you down, in fact that is the furthest thing from what Im trying to do. I applaud you and the choices you have made r/t your situation. Yes, Im sure you catch grief from some in the deaf community because you chose to implant, and they are wrong to judge you like that. Just as you are wrong to judge those that don't. Implants won't help EVERY deaf person. Implants were not an option for Kristy when we where together. Now I don't know if things have changed and and it is now an option (haven't seen her for 10+ years, have not followed the technology) but she always said she would not implant even if it would work for her and every one needs to accept that, including you and other deaf that have chosen to implant. Kristy was on the Deaf Olympic Volleyball team and traveled around the world playing, she was Mrs. Deaf Colorado as a few of my current deaf friends have been/are. To many deaf, it is a lifestyle, a culture a way of life that they chose not to change even if that option is available to them..... how about we respect their choice as they should respect yours. There are a holes in every walk of life, the deaf community included but that should not change the fact that respecting peoples' choices should be #1.

Airassault, i appreciate the feedback on my logic of things. I wasnt implying that all deaf people should get the implant..its their choice, and thats respectible and admirable. I did misphrase what i ideally intended to state, and looking back, it does make me sound ignorant. I just find it hard to see how they stick together instead of venturing about in the gen. population....maybe im out of the loop within their "culture" as you percieve it, and ill admit, i have never socialized with another deaf person...so..ill shall leave this thread in a good grace. I do hope we all can meet someday on the field and have a blast, and shoot the shiate.

[p8ntbal4me]

I've got to say that I am very much interested in this post! I've been playing paintball for about 11 years now and for the same time I've been "hearing impaired". I was lucky enough to develop ottosclerosis at an early age. To be fair this is the most common type of hearing loss and it is in no way total hearing loss (*about 65% loss in the human vocal range). Most who have this issue begin to develop it beyond their late thirties. It tends to affect specifically what frequencies you can hear. In my case (as is in many others) it affects my ability to hear most of the human vocal range. While this is disruptive during conversation, or pre-game planning, it's not particularly troubling during the game. In game, if people are talking they are generally shouting. I can also hear twigs snap or leaves move because those sounds are at different frequencies that I can still hear somewhat OK. My hearing is a little more tuned into this for the same reason. You'd also be surprised at what I can hear in a car engine

I wonder what it's like to play totally deaf. I find that I have a slight advantage up front because I don't get distracted by noises so I stick to business. Then again, it could just be because I don't like playing backman!

Chafnerjr;

Do you play at AG Paintball????

Theres a guy that plays there a bit with us (my little group of mag owners) and I think Ive played with you a few times,... if your the guy Im thinking of.

I usually shoot my Tequila Sunrise E-Mag or a Blue Micro E-Mag there.

~ P8nt

[chafnerjr]

Chafnerjr;

Do you play at AG Paintball????

Theres a guy that plays there a bit with us (my little group of mag owners) and I think Ive played with you a few times,... if your the guy Im thinking of.

I usually shoot my Tequila Sunrise E-Mag or a Blue Micro E-Mag there.

~ P8nt

I don't think I'm your guy. The only AG I know is adventure games in NH. I haven't played there in years because they can't seem to more than five games a day in. I play at OSG now. I love those guys! I'd love to hook up with some of the AO mag folk sometime but I mostly stick around NH. Any one here from NH?

P.S. nice pneu video. I can't wait to see your kit!

Sent from my iPod.