Deaf Paintball Players

[Ultimator]

Well, I figured I would just address this. I have 2 deaf brothers and the one who is 16 is ALWAYS getting compliments on how good he is. I don't know if people are just saying that because he's deaf or what, but I myself have noticed how good he is for how long he has been playing(he's been playing for around 2 or 3 months and owns a Spyder Xtra.) He's a member of this forum, and so is his friend who also plays paintball (they both go to Alabama School for the Deaf in Talladega.)

Anyway, to the point: has anyone else seen any deaf paintballers, and if so, did you think they were good considering they were deaf?

[RT_Luver]

i dont think i've ever seen a deaf person, but i've seen a person with one arm, thought it was kinda cool

[shartley]

[dansim]

sorry a lil ot but if your deaf do you still get headaches? like whenever im done pballing i always have a headache from the noise all day(or maybe dehydration) just a stupid lil question

[Will Wood]

I do think it would be harder...besides of being good or bad....how do you know when people are firing/not firing? You will have to look/feel, or something. It also helps alot to figure out where your opponets are. I would say he is VERY VERY good if he is good, without the advantage of sound.

[Fred]

There was a kid with one arm playing at the Tippmann world challenge last year, IMO that's pretty hardcore. He did alright, carrying a spyder with full hopper, boomstick, and 20 oz tank.
I think he had a buddy carrying paint for him.

I have a great deal of respect for people who go out and play (any sports) despite percieved physical limitations.

---Fred

[rjvemt1]

in '91 i biult a 34k square foot indoor field in the sf bay area called hyperball. several times the ironmen came out and played there, they had a def guy on the team at the time, i think his name was mike. needless to say he was very good (you dont play for the ironmen if you suck!). i think that the sences that compensate for the loss of hearing (or congenital lack of) carry over to pb qiute naturaly. dansim, your headaches are probably do to mild dehydration. drink more water between games and get into some cardiac workouts(dont take that the wrong way)

[than205]

My buddies stepdad is deaf. It's the wierdest thing. I haven't seen my buddy in years. I keep running into Butch at a bunch of different fields. I didn't notice any handicap when he was shooting at me.

[Paintballer86]

Thats intresing. My mom used to work at Pennsylvania School for the deaf, and While she did, I picked up ALOT of Sign Language, and am quite advanced. Do you sign with your brother?

[graycie]

there was a deaf puerto rican guy in a private group last year at the field.

[Hacker240]

Thats pretty cool that he can play without being able to hear his teamates communicate wiht him.

[shartley]

Thats pretty cool that he can play without being able to hear his teamates communicate wiht him.

There are ways to communicate with teammates other than by talking. Using hand signals is not uncommon and is actually used in the military while on patrol.

[hitmanng]

I have a significant hearing loss and wear hearing aides. I often play without them and to be honest I think it is helpfull. You focus more on the slight movement that signifies another player moving. I can still hear well enough to hear my teamates though so cannot speak to the communication factor.
Hitmanng

[sbrookeinmd]

I played with a team of deaf guys for a year. Cybersplat in Maryland. We even went to the Zap Amateur open. Great group of guys. I fell away from the team over time. It was very odd being the only hearing guy and not knowing sign language. There were good players and not so good players (myself included). I think some of the good players did compensate well with some of their other senses. There were times when shots were going near them and they didn't realize it though. Also, communication on a wooded field is quite difficult. Still, it was a blast to be part of their team for a while. On a different note, you've never heard as much bodily noise as there is camping at night with a bunch of deaf guys!

If any of the old Cybersplat guys read this, drop me a note!

Scott

[Temo Vryce]

Well I haven't played with a Deaf player but I have played against one on a few occations and he is quite good. He's not completely deaf but he is hearing impaired. Mind you I have play with someone with 1.5 eyes. The front half of one of his eyes is a glass lens. It's a little weird but he's really good considering. For the most part I try and treat everyone the same. There are some execptions though. For deaf players you need to get eye contact for example. Treat them fairly and as an equal and they'll do the same for you.