MTV True Life: I'm Deaf- Misconceptions

This is my last vlog on clearing up some misunderstandings that MTV portrayed about the cochlear implant itself.

English Translation:


"As I watched, I felt nostalgic because I too, was mainstreamed. I used to have hearing aids and orally spoke. Can you imagine me like that before? It just happened on a random saturday that I just decided out of the blue to go to the mall. I came across this food court that was PACKED with Deaf people all over the place. There were hands signing in the air. It was Deaf Awareness Day. I dropped my jaw and ever since then, my life changed from that moment. The rest is history.

[Captioner's note- Jeez!! I go off the point, don't I?! :-) ]

I'd like to clear up some misconceptions from MTV True Life: I'm Deaf. For instance, the implication that cochlear implant fully cures deafness is wholly false. The reason for that is because on the show when Chris received his CI, his peers began to reiterate claims "He can hear! He can hear!" and word eventually spread out- No! That would mean the hearing audience, especially those who have deaf children, who would watch that episode would began to mistakenly assume that their deaf child can hear, too with just their CI. No, they are STILL deaf no matter what.

Another misconception: CI's guarantee you better job opportunities- False. So I, without an CI, am much more limited? 'Course not, I'm just as equal as everyone else. Did you know that I've been contacting hearing companies for job opportunities and film internships? The key? Assertiveness! That's the key! Do I need a cochlear implant for that? No. And not only that, did you know that I can just put on my hearing aids and speak, but I don't want to. What do I do instead? I write back and forth, exchange emails, through pager if necessary. No one told me I had to do those things (write, email, etc). It's nothing like that. I decided that on my own. That's my preference based on my past experiences. I don't have to change who I am to conform to the hearing world- follow THEIR way. Speak, get a cochlear implant, all that- I don't have to do those things.

One thing I kissfist (Deaf idiom) is that on the show, it looked like one misconception gave the notion that a cochlear implant can get you a hearing girlfriend. Let me tell you from my mainstream experience (I was the only Deaf student there), I met a hearing girl. She was beautiful, blond and blue/green eyes! That time, she knew very little of sign language, mainly fingerspelling. That was about four, five years ago. NOW?? For a hearing person, she is superbly fluent in ASL. FLUENT in ASL. Even more fluent than some Deaf people I know! I think the most crucial thing is that if one Deaf person, surrounded by masses of hearing people- he/she has to EXPOSE them, educate them. Show them that I am living proof of a content Deaf person with pride and I don't follow the audio/verbal methods. I can function, I can fit in the hearing world WITHOUT a cochlear implant!

Another one- the interpreter. My friend and I quickly glanced at each other and back at the television. On the show, when the interpreter was in the front of the classroom and a student in the back raised his/her hand. The interpreter paused the lecture, ran up next to the student, and then resumed. Then again ran back down, repeating the same thing. With my eyes widened, I was like NO! My experience in school, I had two TOP qualified interpreters and whenever someone in the back said something, I would sometimes look back to see who and then look at the interpreter and go, "Oh." That was it.

Those things was all I wanted to clear up. That. Anyway, my next vlog I will be discussing the pros and cons of a mainstream school and a Deaf school! Thanks for watching!"

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• MTV
• True
• life
• I'm
• deaf
• Deaf
• ASL
• Cochlear
• Implant

[Deaffilmmaker01]

Hey, I guess I FINALLY added the English translation next to the video on the right. Read please! Sorry it took me a year to do this! You know how life is! Important that I finally pushed myself to caption this! It was less than half hour surprisingly, eh?!! Again, sorry!

[MegGriffinX]

Like any hearing person is going to know what you are saying. This video would only reach a deaf audience. And deaf people already KNOW the misconceptions. You'd be better off putting subtitles if you really want to get your point across to everyone who don't know much about the deaf.

[Deaffilmmaker01]

Yeah, you're right. True. I just looked at my videos and already I kind of feel overwhelmed by the need to caption it. It's funny, I do firmly and fully believe, support, and engage in full access for everyone that they fully deserve as a human. But dang. So much to caption, blah. Maybe voiceover? I could find someone to voiceover this.

[Deaffilmmaker01]

Haha. Well, I'm sorry. I suppose some people may refuse to use their voice because of misconceptions that may come with it. For example, hearing people are gullible to believe that one Deaf person speaking means all other Deaf people can speak. They instantly try to follow the oral method because it's easier for THEM, whereas it's more difficult for the Deaf people. Sign language is the best when it comes to breaking down barriers and it doesn't limit your communication with hearing people.

[soccer12mc]

you are so right, you can be a deaf and work any job you want!

[Deaffilmmaker01]

Yeah! And I'm not just saying that.. I mean, it IS a reality for Deaf people to do that without having to get the CI. If hearing people give them a chance to showcase their skills, then I'm sure it would be a success story. Just give them a chance.

[shawt192]

Just because we can hear doesn't automatically make us smarter. Sometimes I wish I were deaf so I wouldn't have to hear all the bull that falls out of peoples' mouths without a first or second thought. Hearing, deaf, blind, mute, doesn't matter. People are people, and in the end we're all imperfect. So get rid of that illusion of superiority that you've built up in yourself, diva.

[Bunjer]

MTV sucks now? showcasing a billion dollar industry.. tens of thousand more babies and younger children getting CI's now. Thanks alot! These devices does not always help one become a hearing person, believe it or not. GET IT? Its the worst thing being done.. Thats why it pisses me off. American Sign Language is beauitful as much as English, and its not taught or promoted. CI's get all that, and capitalize over innocent victims like Chris.. Being Deaf is true life, quit pulling wool over eyes!

[MuskicMantra]

i'm deaf wel hard of hearing always have been a hearing aid helps but I still miss things, still unable to talk in group bigger than 3 or 4 people. I can't sign in british sign lanuage never mind american. But even so I sort of understand this guy.

[cathavenfostermom1]

I really want to get to know the deaf community but I have a problem. I have hyper accute hearing meaning I hear more than most people do. I can hear sounds that are as low as -15 decibels and I can also hear an octave higher and an octave lower than people with normal hearing. Loud noises are extremely uncomfortable and sometimes painful. Would the deaf community resent me because I wish I didn't have to hear so much? I'm currently studying sign.

[Xxluisangelpr64xX]

can someone plz translate that in english words

[pisketty]

dickkkiiieeeeeeee! (it's leana)

[iluvhorse13]

excuse me, dont you relaize chris have been lonely and wanted to know what his friends talk about and his family is hearing hes the one whos deaf hes frustrated that he feel left out he wants to be able to hear and now it happened to him, hes happy, so your video the way you talk about, its not true. but hes deaf they dont know how to communicate with him and what now... he finally hears and all people excited to talk to him and chris looks very happy to hear anything. show some respect, thanks.

[TheUndergroundRave]

Sooo...with a CI you can't hear? I don't get it. I mean I know with or without a CI you were born deaf, and will always have your problems.But in the caption it said that after Chris go his CI his peers were all "he can hear!" and that's not true. I thought he could hear?

[KirklandsKnowBest]

Is he saying the implant is going to lik explode in ur head or something? haha

[peytonredrocks]

my little sister was born with hear problems they had to put tubes in her ears and from then on she can hear loud and clear, but as a baby she had to sign and i learned so that i could talk with her..i find it neat, signing gave me a way to talk to a loved one, and gave her a way to talk back....since then i have stopped using it ( the Doctor told us to :/ ) but it is very useful, and like someone said in one comment is a beautiful part of speech

[5yukjyhtgqreqwerijgv]

I wish I could speak sign language. No matter what, deaf people with CI's are still not able to hear like speaking people do. I don't know alot about CI's, but I know from experience that deaf people can't always cope with a CI. People can think that they are a cure for being deaf, but they have no idea how wrong they are. (Like I would know) Well, thank you for making this video. I hope people are not stupid enough to believe in a perfect miracle.

[PansyMk]

I understood nothing you said lol. But what you said must have either been deep or very annoyed? good job regardless! glad you spoke out about it