Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Education

Question: Why would they hurt my feelings?!? I'm a freshman at high skool. I'm deaf and mainstreamed. I have two honors classes geometry and biology. At my high skool, over 98% of DHH(Deaf and Hard of Hearing) students(yes 9th 10th 11th and 12th) have DHH classes(slow and gives less work). I and other junior are only mainstreamed kids. Ok Here's my problem On the first day, I went to high skool and it's huge! Some DHH students asked me if I'll be in their classes. I showed them my class schedule and they were shocked and said, "You're mainstreamed?" I nodded my head and they said, "Why would you take harder classes? You don't need them!" I told them that I want to have a good education. They said, "Pity! You really waste ur time working on hard stuff!!" I responded that I want to get into a good college! They-"Don't listen to ur parents! You don't need hard classes to get into a good college. You can enter a good college because u're deaf! Any colleges want to have deaf people!! We don't need hard work. And colleges will accept us! See?! Duh!" I told them they were wrong! They called me Stupid, Freak, Loser, Werid!!! They constantly tease me and I told them to leave me alone! They won't stop and I even told the teachers. The teachers are not willing to help me because I have mainstreamed classe and told me that I should figure out myself. I told my parents about high skool. They are hearing. They told me these students are losers because they won't get good jobs and any colleges would not accept unwillingly people. How can I ignore these students? It's very hard to ignore them. I want to show them that they are wasting their education!

Answer: You show them by getting the very best grades that you can,they are the ones that will be sorry in the end,good for you,I commend you for taking the harder classes,just because you may be hearing impaired doesn't mean that you can't use your brain or you are incapable of learning.Just ignore the kids,it's not worth your time and effort,it sounds to me like they are just using excuses for not trying to achieve a higher grade.You have a goal and just focus on that and in the end it will really pay off for you,nothing lasts forever and you will see just how fast school will go.You'll be the one that will excel and come out on top in the end.

Question: High school Problems? I'm a freshman at high skool. I'm deaf and mainstreamed. I have two honors classes geometry and biology. At my high skool, over 98% of DHH(Deaf and Hard of Hearing) students(yes 9th 10th 11th and 12th) have DHH classes(slow and gives less work). I and other junior are only mainstreamed kids. Ok Here's my problem On the first day, I went to high skool and it's huge! Some DHH students asked me if I'll be in their classes. I showed them my class schedule and they were shocked and said, "You're mainstreamed?" I nodded my head and they said, "Why would you take harder classes? You don't need them!" I told them that I want to have a good education. They said, "Pity! You really waste ur time working on hard stuff!!" I responded that I want to get into a good college! They-"Don't listen to ur parents! You don't need hard classes to get into a good college. You can enter a good college because u're deaf! Any colleges want to have deaf people!! We don't need hard work. And colleges will accept us! See?! Duh!" I told them they were wrong! They called me Stupid, Freak, Loser, Werid!!! They constantly tease me and I told them to leave me alone! They won't stop and I even told the teachers. The teachers are not willing to help me because I have mainstreamed classe and told me that I should figure out myself. I told my parents about high skool. They are hearing. They told me these students are losers because they won't get good jobs and any colleges would not accept unwillingly people. How can I ignore these students? It's very hard to ignore them. I want to show them that they are wasting their education!

Answer: First off, don't listen to them. Yes, a college won't reject you just because you're deaf but they also won't accept you because you're deaf. Colleges care about academics and extracurriculars. If those kids really believe that, then it's too bad for them. Just ignore them and say something like "Well, that's your opinion. If you want to take a chance and gamble that a school will let you in just because you're deaf but I actually want to go to a good school." And there is a major problem with your teachers. Even if you're mainstream, you should still be given some leeway. You really should talk to your principle or guidance counselor.

Question: How can I ignore them? They keep calling me A LOSER? I'm a freshman at high skool. I'm deaf and mainstreamed. I have two honors classes geometry and biology. At my high skool, over 98% of DHH(Deaf and Hard of Hearing) students(yes 9th 10th 11th and 12th) have DHH classes(slow and gives less work). I and other junior are only mainstreamed kids. Ok Here's my problem On the first day, I went to high skool and it's huge! Some DHH students asked me if I'll be in their classes. I showed them my class schedule and they were shocked and said, "You're mainstreamed?" I nodded my head and they said, "Why would you take harder classes? You don't need them!" I told them that I want to have a good education. They said, "Pity! You really waste ur time working on hard stuff!!" I responded that I want to get into a good college! They-"Don't listen to ur parents! You don't need hard classes to get into a good college. You can enter a good college because u're deaf! Any colleges want to have deaf people!! We don't need hard work. And colleges will accept us! See?! Duh!" I told them they were wrong! They called me Stupid, Freak, Loser, Werid!!! They constantly tease me and I told them to leave me alone! They won't stop and I even told the teachers. The teachers are not willing to help me because I have mainstreamed classe and told me that I should figure out myself. I told my parents about high skool. They are hearing. They told me these students are losers because they won't get good jobs and any colleges would not accept unwillingly people. How can I ignore these students? It's very hard to ignore them. I want to show them that they are wasting their education

Answer: ok, first, i can't tell you how impressed i am reading this. You have guts, you have determination and you have bravery most never experience. You have what it takes. I am over 40. I have lived through high school and beyond. I have traveled back into the past and seen what those people in high school are doing now. Some people you and others think are sooo cool now, that's it for them. THis is the high point of their whole life. Success is the best revenge. You are doing what you need to do to get where you are going. One message you have to internalize is that these people are stupid. Only you can make you feel bad. What they say can't hurt you unless you let it in. High School is often the high point or the low point in everyone's life. It doesn't define you. It doens't even have to leave a mark. You can't change them. You can only change yourself. Just think about it in 5 years when they work at Walmart and you are in university. Your life just beginning, their's is in marking down boots at the end of the season and staring at that yellow happy face. Is brutal, its not fair, but gritt your teath and bear it. OVer sooner than you think. Anyone that's been there, and sorry, that's all adults, we support you. It's only fun to taunt people when you get a reaction. If you just smile and wave, it's boring and they'll go away and bug someone else.

Question: Why People like to MOCK me? I'm a freshman at high skool. I'm deaf and mainstreamed. I have two honors classes geometry and biology. At my high skool, over 98% of DHH(Deaf and Hard of Hearing) students(yes 9th 10th 11th and 12th) have DHH classes(slow and gives less work). I and other junior are only mainstreamed kids. Ok Here's my problem On the first day, I went to high skool and it's huge! Some DHH students asked me if I'll be in their classes. I showed them my class schedule and they were shocked and said, "You're mainstreamed?" I nodded my head and they said, "Why would you take harder classes? You don't need them!" I told them that I want to have a good education. They said, "Pity! You really waste ur time working on hard stuff!!" I responded that I want to get into a good college! They-"Don't listen to ur parents! You don't need hard classes to get into a good college. You can enter a good college because u're deaf! Any colleges want to have deaf people!! We don't need hard work. And colleges will accept us! See?! Duh!" I told them they were wrong! They called me Stupid, Freak, Loser, Werid!!! They constantly tease me and I told them to leave me alone! They won't stop and I even told the teachers. The teachers are not willing to help me because I have mainstreamed classe and told me that I should figure out myself. I told my parents about high skool. They are hearing. They told me these students are losers because they won't get good jobs and any colleges would not accept unwillingly people. How can I ignore these students? It's very hard to ignore them. I want to show them that they are wasting their education!

Answer: Okay - here's where to start - you are correct - your parents are correct. These other students are merely relying on a politically correct climate to let a lower standard of work pass because of a disability - this is highly offensive and one of the products of a misguided liberal philosophy. These people are in serious need of a proper education as they don't appear to understand they are being exploitative. They should not get a free ride merely because of deafness. I work with partially sighted and blind people - and I have never witnessed any of them trying to get a free ride from society because of a disability - there is nothing wrong with being mainstreamed. These people are an offence to deaf people and it should be explained to them that we ALL have to work hard to do well - having a disability does not mean you get away with doing less - it is a challenge to you to try harder,which is exactly what you are doing and you should be applauded for setting a high quality example and not falling into the ways of those around you - hopefully someone like you will make it into a position to challenge the dumb views of your peers.When they see you succeed - then you will have shown them that you were right - stick to your guns.

Question: Why relationships are hard.....? I've been struggling with this question for years: I'm not sure whether normal people will ever enjoy a relationship with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing. But my experience speaks for itself. I come to realize that it is not easy building a relationship with someone unlike yourself... regardless of your confidence and ability to communicate. After 20 years and not being afraid to take myself out there (because of my hearing disability), I always wondered if people are just lying when they enjoy hanging out with you because they prefer to stick with their own kind. Of course, communication barriers exist but I keep wondering if people will ever learn to overcome our differences. Isn't this what we have been struggling with for years in terms of gender, politics, disability, religion, education, etc?

Answer: this is a question i ask too....i feel that people are born with the innate trait of being in groups...they want to be in groups, and they are willing to discriminate on people who are different....its probably safe ( and sadly) to say that normal people will not enjoy a relationship with a person with disability ( such as your hearing disability) there are people out there who do care...who have been able to flow in and out of groups with ease because they have been raised up, or just born with the idea that everyone is the same and should be treated in the same way.... personally, i am i person who is very respectful...im straight and i have gay guy friends, i can hear but i had a hearing impaired friend once....i dont look at people's physical ability or anything that can be changed easily...i look for the personality of each and everyone..and i judge by personality.... yes, this is what we have been struggling with....people cant really get over differences...thats why all these problems still exist today good luck with your (please pardon this term) enlightenment about relationships, and hope i have helped somewhat....>_< God Bless

Question: Ladies: Why relationships are hard.....? I've been struggling with this question for years: I'm not sure whether normal people will ever enjoy a relationship with a person who is deaf or hard of hearing. But my experience speaks for itself. I come to realize that it is not easy building a relationship with someone unlike yourself... regardless of your confidence and ability to communicate. After 20 years and not being afraid to take myself out there (because of my hearing disability), I always wondered if people are just lying when they enjoy hanging out with you because they prefer to stick with their own kind. Of course, communication barriers exist but I keep wondering if people will ever learn to overcome our differences. Isn't this what we have been struggling with for years in terms of gender, politics, disability, religion, education, etc?

Answer: I am not completely deaf, but I have a very hard time carrying on conversations with people who are hearing and aren't willing to accommodate my need for them to look at me when they speak, speak up, and don't cover your mouth. I have been in a relationship with a man for 10 years who is sometimes frustrated, but deals with my deafness very well.

Question: Please help with this question about fear and reasoning...(It's kind of long and ONLY MATURE ansers please)THX? I have a 23 year old son and we get into these debates and I am often left dazed and confused as to why he can't understand or comprehend what I am talking about. He is a highly intelligent young man graduated at age 16 and about to graduate college in June so his education ha nothing to do with it. I am starting to wonder that when "I" start talking he just closes his ears tunes himself out and becomes deaf because he doesn't want to hear "me" talk OR is it that he really doesn't understand what the hell I am talking about. CASE AND POINT: There was an earthquake yesterday and it was in Mexcali Mexico border to California so it was felt as far away as Los Angeles. We live in the Bay Area California and the last big earthquake we had was on 1989. With the way the weather is changing I can almost guess another big one is coming. But only God knows that. My son works in a tall building on the 6th floor. He said he wants to quit his job for fear that if an earthquake happens he may die. I told him if he thinks that is what he wants to do then fine he has to do whatever makes him happy. I went on to ask him ...well if you are going to quit your job out of fear of dying in that building due to an earthquake are you going to quit driving too? are you going to quit flying? and walking across the street? He told me that those things have nothing to do with it. He says that he can help himself (basically live) if he chooses not to work in a building he cant get out of if its an earthquake. All I told him is that if it's his time to go it will be nothing he can do about it. For we know not the hour we will be called home. I told him a story of a baby girl who was in a private plane with her parents and the pilot when the plane crashed all of them died but not her. She didnt have one scratch on her! It wasn't "her" time and she fell from the sky! All I was trying to get him to understand is that there is no preventative measure you can take to escape death. Unless you are doing something stupid like speeding 100 mph in a car (now thast stupid and you know you can die from doing that) I am talking about being at work and an earthquake hits. You can not forsee that coming. He thinks he is safer at home as well. I told him that if the earthquake starts off violent that house will come down in a matter of seconds before he can even reach his bedroom door. Somehow he thinks he would make it out of the house. I told him what does he think the house is made of? If a violent earthquake shakes hard that house is coming down. Help me to understand why his reasoning, perception of things and understanding of things is so obscured...I want him to read this Thanks all!

Answer: Well logically speaking it would be easier to get out of a ground floor bedroom than a 6th floor office but I agree with you 100%, you can't live your life trying to avoid the 'what ifs'. Perhaps there is more going on at work than he has told you, or perhaps he has trouble seeing things from your point of view (perhaps on the aspergers scale?) . Leaving his job because he fears an earthquake is not a normal reaction even for someone living in an earthquake zone. I think there has to be more to it and you need to ask him about his fears.

Question: Deaf/Special Education Teacher? I would like to become a teacher of students that are deaf or hard of hearing. The actual "Education of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing" or "Deaf Education" major is pretty rare in the United States. I'd say that there's many 20 or less colleges that offer this major. For those of you that have already been through the college search process, this isn't very many colleges to choose from & it's getting frustrating. Here's my question: Is there some way that I could major in Special Education and maybe take ASL as a minor? Or take ASL classes as extra? Anyone had experience with this? Please help me!

Answer: Check out New York University nyu.edu . Has both special education major and an intensive sequence of ASL instruction .