Author Topic: A hidden disability ?  (Read 2135 times)

tony

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A hidden disability ?
« on: June 06, 2007, 12:15:15 am »
I saw references to this on another post - and thought to raise the profile a bit.
Basically if you had a white cane/dark glasses and walked uncertainly
across a rail station or a shopping mall 99.5% of the worlds population
would move aside, offer help or make allowance somehow
However hearing impairment/SSD is largely an unseen issue
- a group interviewing me were quite shocked when I explained
I was lipreading - its not always clear to others etc .
The white cane etc gtees people notice - not so easy
with hearing issues - people may conclude you are simply
not paying attention or plain dumb - they make a judgement
based on no real information
Most are quite upset when they realise the error
(bit like knocking a blind man over ?)
But it is a fact of life - the error will be made...
Best Regards
Tony

HeadCase2

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Re: A hidden disability ?
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2007, 07:52:35 am »
Tony,
  Yep, this happens to me all the time.  I don't always notice people speaking to me from my non- hearing side.  Some think I'm being rude, some think I'm ignoring them on purpose, some don't what to do since I'm not responding and walk off.
Regards,
 Rob
1.5 X 1.0 cm AN- left side
Retrosigmoid 2/9/06
Duke Univ. Hospital

GrogMeister of the PBW

Sam Rush

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Re: A hidden disability ?
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2007, 09:25:33 am »
 Rob,

Have you considered a BAHA ??
1 cm AN translab, Dr. Brackmann, Dr. Schwartz, Dr Doherety HEI   11/04   Baha 7/05

Kathleen_Mc

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Re: A hidden disability ?
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2007, 02:39:04 pm »
Tony and gang: After 16+ years of being deaf in one ear I have long come to the conclusion that if people want you to hear what they have to say they'll make sure you hear them, even if they do not know of your impairment. That being said there are people who won't but I guess one cannot miss what they don't hear.
kathleen
1st AN surgery @ age 23, 16 hours
Loss of 7-10th nerves
mulitple "plastic" repairs to compensate for effects of 7th nerve loss
tumor regrowth, monitored for a few years then surgically removed @ age 38 (of my choice, not medically necessary yet)