Audism in Public Schools

Summary:

When I viewed the Pantene ad http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Um9KsrH377A it gave me a flashback of several incidents of audism that I went through while growing up in a public school just like that girl had experienced. Looking back, I recalled being ridiculed and snickered when my name was called to give a dancing performance similar to a mixture of Michael Jackson style and what we now would call it a hip-hop style. After winning the award, the attitude among the students had changed as I felt they respected me more ever since the performance. It is true that as a Deaf person, you have to work much harder to prove that you are capable of such things.
Another experience I had was when I was involved in a diving team, I did not get as much support and enthusiasm from the teammates and not even from the diving coach. I was again mocked and snickered in the first few weeks of practice and I was about to give it up until a Black janitor who watched the whole thing since day one recognized how I was treated came up to me. Although he didn't know sign language, I was able to understand him so well that he made an effort to communicate clearly with me. Just like this man in the ad, he came in the light and started to support me by giving me tips and encouragement. From there, I was able to dramatically improve my performance in diving.

The lesson from this is that every Deaf child needs a role model who believes in them by giving them support that they are capable of doing such things in spite of their hearing level.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Deaf
• Audism
• Thai
• girl
• ad
• advert
• Pantene
• shampoo
• advertisement
• violin
• concert
• chrysalis
• shine
• emotional
• music

[Deafartalex]

Teared!

[mfk1990]

Hi, may everyone explain what it supposed to mean `Audism` ? We cannt found some OXFORD Dictionary in malaysia. Thanks

[Bunjer]

Barb.. that 4 minute video.. of that deaf violin gal.. i think i almost shed some tears and was so heart felt!! was tough holding back!! GULP!! lol.. thanks for sharing your experience and this video.. :)

[DeafDragonLady]

one more thing is that i was a waitress for 2 yrs and those people called me angel there.. my mom encouraged me to do anything.. i was 7 yrs old i played piano and i should have continued playing the piano but it was not in my blood.. LOL

[DeafDragonLady]

and i also was mocked by neighbors and abused me and i still stood in front of them and didnt cry.. They left and it wasted their time trying to destroy me. LOL

[DeafDragonLady]

you brought tears to my eyes because i had many experiences in public school and i kept continuing to do whatever i should do .. They were shocked that i can do anything except hear.. I was on swim team, and i almost won the student body secretary , and i saved the 3 yrs old girl from swimming pool even though lifeguards saw her drowning and didnt do anything and my guts told me to save her and i did..

[mkrajnak]

Very touching vlog, brought tears to my eyes...have similar experience (boy scout and freshman in high school) Thank you for sharing!

[deafpcatoby]

Good vlog. I had some audism in sport but I proved hearing people wrong. Thanks for sharing with us!

[5KenX]

Very interesting I will make vlog today smile.

[MoDeafpayStateFedTax]

Wow!!! Thank you so much for sharing your experience through your own journey!!! I was so impressed with amazing janitor who have a BIG GOOD HEART to help you while you did bear from the Audism!!!