Land of Silence and Darkness

[irkenequine]

It is a shame with all of the technology and capabilities we have in this world, how this young man was failed so terribly.

[HabeKeinMitleid]

@irkenequine How can technology help congenital defects? We cannot know at this point in time.

[irkenequine]

@HabeKeinMitleid He never received an intervener...never received enough stimulation to help his brain continue to develop, to help him find some peace and understanding in his world. His brain was left to rot confusedly inside his own skull. It is not his fault, WE know how to handle deafblind children; there are protocols, languages, and classes. We as a society however, failed this child. Thats what I'm referring to.

[brookeafer]

It looks like he also has down syndrome

[HabeKeinMitleid]

@brookeafer He does.

[TheLanabanana3]

I just died on the inside

[blindthief]

Technology and advanced programs help but u must understand they are not the most important factors in the development of a disabled person because we're talking about simple motor skills that even a toddler can pick up. I know of parents and a deaf child who found a way to communicate without the aid of schools and professional help. It's really about a strong support system and continuous effort. I'm a paraplegic and I never really needed a therapist to learn how to be independent.

[blindthief]

@wpcp12 Yes, limited walking would be a big accomplishment and something they should be proud of. I don't deem the parents as bad people. I just wish they would've put more effort into helping their son pick up very basic skills. Thanks for taking the time to research and look into other videos. For me all I needed was to see that he has normal usage of his hands/arms to know he can learn how to walk if given the right support. He learned how to crawl on his own. That should tell you something.

[blindthief]

If he was a sitting vegetable I would concede to the sad fact that he would not be able to do anything other than lie in bed and stare at the ceiling. But that's not the case. I believe there is hope since we see that he is able to use his brain even if it's very limited. Again, we're talking about simple walking (not dancing or playing soccer). It's a reasonable goal. I guess it comes down to what you believe in.

[blindthief]

@wpcp12 I don't like to sound harsh because I know what it's like to face difficulty in life. And I don't unfairly judge people. But I believe this particular individual can achieve certain goals given the right support from parents. I'm not an expert in the medical or science field but my senses tell me one doesn't necessarily need professional help to learn how to walk and/or communicate to a certain degree. Finance can be an issue but it shouldn't take them 20+ yrs to find a solution. Sorry.

[blindthief]

Also, let's consider the fact that, as seen in the video, the person does display usage of motor skills (throwing and retrieving a ball), although limited. That being said, I think with the right amount of continuous effort, he should be able to learn how to walk and perhaps communicate in some way. Not the easiest thing in the world, but I believe it's possible.

[blindthief]

@wpcp12 If someone loves a child enough, he/she would make sacrifices despite difficult circumstances. Back in the day when my mom was a single mother on welfare taking care of 5 kids including one who's disabled, my mom made sure I didn't miss any doctor's appointments. I'll admit it's a difficult situation as some respectable people have told me it's not possible for certain mentally disabled children to walk and talk. I think that's closer to opinion than fact. He's not completely braindead.

[blindthief]

@wpcp12 Let's rule out learning milestones such as reading and writing. Due to severe disabilities I think it's rather safe to say he's not as capable as H. Keller. I used Keller as an example for people who underestimate the ability of a disabled person. I was not suggesting every disabled person can be as successful. As a disabled person myself I have accomplished many things that were thought to be impossible. The goal for this man in the video should have been or be to learn how to walk.

[firelord9000]

Their lives are perfectly normal, since they don't have anything to compare it to

[BlatentlyBooshified]

It must be so lonely. Not being able see, or hear.. Is it frustrating?

Might not be, they might not be aware that 'seeing' or 'hearing' actually exist, they might think everyone's like that. But still.

[D4MVP]

THE INTERNET!

[MEEG0L]

somebody get that kid a Nerf ball

[kytrader007]

Oh, that poor man, how awful for him :(

[TheChrissette]

This really broke my heart, to watch this. He's only about a year older than me. Someone should have gotten him some special training. It's like that little girl, Lauren did. And she's come so far.

[PAPASCROTUM345]

....dumbass

[lyricalsaviour]

shut up u

idiot how would u like it u should go to hell DUMB ASS

[PinkSander]

I wonder if this late in age if Vladimir would benefit from a deafblind instructor? I have watched many videos and documentaries on Feral children, and it seems for a normal hear and seeing child the window past the age of 4 for children to be taught communication is next to non existant. I wonder if it is different for those whit out the ability to see or hear.

[viharsarok]

Blind people have no problems learning communication because they can learn their local language the same way seeing people can.

Deaf children, however, have to be recognized at the youngest possible age so that they can start learning a sign language.

Deafblind chlidren can be thaught to communicate, too, provided they get the right education. They use a kind of touch-language to communicate.

[viharsarok]

It doesn't depend on the ability to see or hear. So no, he couldn't be taught to communicate at his age.

[PinkSander]

Yeah, but in a sense, deaf blind people are like feral children, until they get that intervention of learning just what their surroundings mean and are. What I was saying with Vladimir's combined disabilities (deaf blind and down syndrome), his age and the fact that nobody had ever tried to help him learn and communicate, can he still learn to the extent of being able to communicate and have some semblance quality of life?

[viharsarok]

The difference lies in when they start being thaught to communicate. Deaf blind people usually get this education at a very early age, so they can develop normal mental abilities. However, if their critical period is missed, they no longer have a chance to make up for it. Feral children miss their critical period, just as this poor guy, so he can't recover.

Btw, a feral child is defined as a child who didn't learn to communicate, so Vladimir is techincally a feral child.

[viharsarok]

If you really are into child development, I suggest you to check out this site if you haven't already found it:

vvv feralchildren com

(Replace vvv with double u's.)

[kingcrimson234]

this is the most awful thing i've ever seen. how could you even possibly begin to imagine what life is like for people like this? i can't imagine anybody who was completely deafblind wanting to even be alive.

i guess at least they don't know what they're missing. this is just really hard to watch.

[Drakon222]

They don't. How can you tell what's sight and hearing when you never experienced it? It's like being an overgrown.. worm. No offense. But it's horrible.

[SuzyMac57]

you obviously have not met any deaf/blind people. this boy appears to have developmental problems as well.

Being deaf/blind doesnt make you a worm! havent you ever heard of Helen Keller? She was a brilliant woman who wrote and advocated for disabled people all over the world. I work with deaf/blind people - they are smart, funny, interesting & important, just like everyone else. One of the smartest guys i know is deaf/blind

[Drakon222]

You're right - I haven't met any deaf-blind people but I heard about Hellen Keller, I watched this whole documentary and here I just became overwhelmed by sadness..

I didn't say that being a deaf-blind person makes you a worm. I was referring to what happened to this boy because of lack of treatment.

By the was - he was deaf and blind from birth, which makes it different as well. Some deafblind people become great people, some cannot cope with the situation.

[hero99a]

i couldnt watch that its to sad it doesnt make sence it isnt life

[AmericanIdolQueen84]

he looks like he has downs syndrome too,

[CrunkinLiLy]

my friends baby was abused by his father & the baby is now deaf & blind. what sucks is that that the mother is still with the man.

it makes me so sad, i wish there was a solution.

[NubCakeNick]

so ur friend abused his baby.. or ur bullshittng

[CrunkinLiLy]

yes he shook the baby.

[melonhead28]

If i knew i was deaf-blind or i became deaf-blind i'd ask someone to kill me. That's how extreme i think it is. Poor guy. :(

[BAMOORE94]

people should pray for him

[Crunkydude]

yeah like praying's gonna help him

[BAMOORE94]

you must not believe in god because he can help hom

[viharsarok]

There is no God, dude. Prayer does not help this poor guy.

[marcjusz]

God is in all this people who helps him

[viharsarok]

God is nowhere, he's just a bronze age fairy tale.

[LOACHABLE]

There is a god who created the earth i know youll say big bang theory but who created that and the createor of the big bang theory god started it .he probably doesent know we exist

[viharsarok]

And who created the creator? Please use your brain if you have one.

[LOACHABLE]

Hey dick how do you think it all started

[viharsarok]

Hi twat, well, how do YOU think it all started?

[LOACHABLE]

Something we both dont know Nob Jokey

[viharsarok]

We both don't know? Well, you said just several comments ago that it was God, didn't you, moron?

[Drakon222]

I'm an atheist too but...

I so wish there was an explenation or something consoling for all the suffering and injustice in the world.

And - who created the creator? When does the regress stop? It has to at some point.

I wish everything was filled with beauty, gentleness, kindness and understanding. Goddamn it, it isn't. :(

[aleksandrovskysad]

what songs are played by Bach and vivaldi in this movie?

[blindthief]

There is no excuse for this situation. It shows a lack of competency and care in his parents or guardians. It's very possible for him to be educated. HELEN KELLER was a deafblind who became an author, activist, and lecturer. This young man can't even walk?? It's a tragedy to say the least.

[foamy2345]

i couldnt agree more.and why is everybody just standing around waching him hitting himself?why doesnt anyone help him?do you think its too late?

[frencherable]

@blindthief He has down syndrome, To have that and be deaf/blind know wonder he cant walk and stuff, helen keller did not have down syndrome, (srry i know u wrote this three years ago but it was bugging me)

[blindthief]

@frencherable There are people with Down syndrome working at Mcdonald's. You're telling this young man shouldn't even be able to walk? I understand Keller was a one of a kind woman. However we see in the video that the person can pick up a ball which is a sign of motor skills. We're not talking about leaping from one building to another here. Just something as simple as walking.

[Deafdoggy]

What happened to the Deafblind Institute in Russia? Why didn't he get help from there????

[blindthief]

Two of his senses are non existent. But I figure his brain has not sustained any damage. Is there absolutely no hope at all for this individual?? There must be some way for him to learn basic human function if his brain is in fact still healthy.

[bananaPLEASE]

I'm no doctor but I believe that if a child does not learn to walk or talk/communicate within the first few years it becomes almost impossible for them to learn later on as the chemistry and dynamics of the brain changes with age. Almost as if there is a window of time to be taught. If you are not taught within that time limit you're out of luck.

[viharsarok]

Yep, you have to learn how to communicate in the first 2 years of your life to be able to function like a human being. This is called the critical period. There are some cases of children (so-called feral children) who grew up isolated from other people. They are biologically normal, but the lack of socializing made them retarded.

[Blaz92]

the purpose of this vid was to show how greatfull we should be for what god has given us

[EmpathicResonator]

Are. you. serious?

[viharsarok]

"the purpose of this vid was to show how greatfull we should be for what god has given us"

I really don't want to start a religious fight

here, but ARE A YOU FUCKING NAZI? If you imagine a nazi god who makes people suffer for you, you are a nazi yourself. Christians like you are a shame for humanity, fuck you idiot.

[pinkpogostick]

that was disturbing

[jackboyproductions]

What's the purpose of this video?

[bichode7cabecas]

shocking!!!!!!!!!!!! JEBUS!