sse happens!

Save our brain cells

2008-06-26T14:31:00.003Z

You know we unluckily lost millions or billions? of brain cells... wonder where did it go from? Unless we rescue our brain cells the lost property from Stomach under Tyne bus station before bin these in the sewage. We don't want those fishes to be brainier than us eh? Imagine they go humaning..

Zombie commuters

2008-06-26T07:29:00.003Z

It was the 24th of June, yep that's Monday but quite out of the ordinary story. On the packed smelly and anxiety (obviously) train, I tediously was standing up (ungenerously and pitiful looking people who sat looking at us diginty people standing) stared at the Leeds new and new buildings, apparently they arrogontly are trying to beat beautiful Bradford.

I was thinking 'Why do commuters always nothing but doing zombie expression apart from reading the Sun newspaper which is suitable reading age as 10 years old and Guardian wannabe Metro too?' They need to show facial expression as same as us expressively Deaf people in case they would have any wrinkle (of course black people doesn't have screw up).

Passing new and old building, grr, as a Bradfordian guy, obnoxious! I just was switching off my mind while we approached the Leeds train station before I walked for 2 and half metres, don't ask me why not 3 metres, suddenly I bumped a petrified woman's back... I understand why we should be zombie...

Heath Ledger the great

2008-01-29T09:36:00.000Z

Skin Implant

2008-01-28T16:50:00.000Z

The parent is expecting a healthy baby very soon. They look around the baby shop for their unborn baby like Barbie/Action man or a cute brush. The father is dreaming of his daughter or son becoming a premiership football manager. The mother is dreaming of his daughter or son becoming a princess in England. Their expectations are so high, when it comes to new babies.

The mother is in the labour as the father supports her with breathing. She screamed and foul-mouthed at everyone but for those of pregnant women, that is very normal thing to say. Suddenly, the doctor and nurse’s face is not that the parent is waiting for.

The excited parent’s world turned upside down when they saw their new baby boy. It seems nothing wrong with it. He has got legs. He has got arms. He has got feet. He has got hands. He has got nose. He has got mouth. He has got everything we have. What the hell wrong with him? You wouldn’t see anything wrong with him. He is like every baby in the world.

But for his parent, they think that their black baby boy wouldn’t have a great life as white baby. Yes, just different skin from his parent.

The egotistical doctor or you call it a medical model, he strongly advised the parent to implant the white skin on their black baby otherwise he will struggle being a black person or being a second-citizen. So a newborn baby will improve his language development, white culture, well-manners, have to smile all the time (show his white teeth), talk or walk like a white person does, making a lot of new white friends, he will have a same level as white people academically and professionally if he went to white-only school, even won’t get into trouble like other black people stereotypically or so even his favourite line would be ‘I am not a racist but...’

As the parent openly asked about black people, the doctor suggested black people’s culture will affect their son’s process in the future.

Remember the parent’s expectations, the mother wants to give an Action man for her son’s birthday or the father is dreaming of his son becoming a premiership manager which black footballer rarely get a managerial job. As saying that, they realised it is too much for their son if they refuse to accept the white implant. They agreed with the doctor. They did it for relieving their worry and unhappiness with his blackness. Even before he could spell 'C-H-O-I-C-E'.

Their son has been implanted ‘white’.

The newspaper headlined ‘Good, clean and happy baby!’ The mother said "He is still black but we just want to give love and we know what’s best for my beautiful clean son, look at his face, he looks happy." The black community (some people call black activists 'Troublemakers') backlash at their decision. One of other people's views "The parent know best"… (Echoing)

Sadly, 25 years later, he is at the mental hospital not as a manager, not as a staff, not even as a chef. He is a patient.

It’s all because all so much fuss made him to be somebody, not himself. He is not very happy with himself at the moment…

His life would be very different if the parent invites black role models, not just ignorant or know-it-all medical or 'professional' models.

You can give a lot of love and happiness into your children naturally not medically. You can do same thing for Deaf children too.

By Ashton Jean-Pierre

Facebook world

2008-01-28T12:30:00.000Z

On Monday evening, Penny walked in the street, reading a Mini-feed newspaper. Suddenly she jumped as she felt like someone shot her squashly shoulder.. actually her annoyingly friend George tap her hard behind Penny's behind without a warning. Penny frowned her sparkly eyes and crossed her arms. She could tell George's face as if he have got something good to tell her.

George said, 'Good news!' (he rolled his eyes up and nodded his head)... 'Of course, for me!' Penny unenthusiastically asked what the good news is.

George said, 'I added 803 friends so far!' 'I must be a good person or everyone love me!' He looked up in the sky for 7 seconds then he stroked his crappy hair.. said 'Oh yeah what do you think of my profile photo?' Penny thought 'He is getting be lonelier and lonelier every day'. She prefers adding REAL friends which has 31 friends.

2 days later. Penny got in the MSN bar and saw George again. He unexpectly asked Penny something. 'Why didn't you answer my question about my profile photo?' Fortunately Penny ran out of the MSN bar.

Next day, George was lying to his fake friends that Penny and him got on very well. Actually he deleted her mobile number furiously.

Penny and George painfully ignored each other, even at the MSN bar. This awkward situation henced her to go to the Camfrog bar.

Suddenly, she felt someone shot her shoulder again.....

'Shitbook happens!' she screamed.

Black consciousness

2008-01-23T13:01:00.001Z

Banksy... (wannabe)

2008-01-23T12:36:00.000Z

Are these genuine?

Hooliganism (white on white violence)

2008-01-23T12:26:00.000Z

What make Miss Deaf World 2007 content good?

2007-10-23T14:22:00.000Z

1) Don't hire Deaf-impaired who is an organiser. Must be Deaf.

2) Ban Hitler's great-granddaughters, British empire-supporters & any girls who did vote for Danielle to be crowned of Miss Great Britain in 2006.

3) Miss Ukraine 2007 should be sent into bunch of aggressive African monkey in Zimbabwe.

4) Blindfold those white models to like non-white models.

5) Due to her loss, Miss Lithunia 2007 should be awarded for Best BNP member.

Power to the Leedians

2007-10-08T14:51:00.000Z

Unemployed today, employed tomorrow!

2007-09-02T15:30:00.001Z

I am so looking forward to working as a Deaf instructor at Cottingley Primary School (mainstream/sign-bilingualism) in Leeds, starts tomorrow!

Yay!

Who's who?

2007-08-17T11:06:00.000Z

Blackpool Rally (Deafpool) in 2003. Could you send comment here if you recognise any of them? You could win your trip ticket to Mary Hare(!)

My new baby

2007-08-16T14:22:00.000Z

My new baby called Pentax K100D DLSR!! I am so excited! I will feed her alot and saying 'I love you' every day....

NiceRacca but nicer

2007-08-13T11:09:00.000Z

This is Rachel. I often call her 'Racy' or 'NiceRacca', as most people know her as NaughtyRacca which I was't agreeing with ! She was bit annoyed with the name NiceRacca but apparently she is really really nice and lovely.

My best friend Ovais first introduced her to me 3 years ago. Thanks pal!

We have been dating on and off but we are still great friends. It was too good to be true... She finally found his right man Wayne, I can see her happiness whenever she is with him. I am pleased to tell you that she just had a baby girl called Chloe Hope on Sunday 12th Aug. This is my first god-daughter. I will visit and congratulate them this week. Great thing was when she arrived at Guyana airport from the UK, I put up the cardboard says 'Nice but nicer', it definitely annoyed her! I would like to put great memory pictures of our first holiday together in Guyana, South America and Dominica, West Indies in 2006.

Shot for fire

2007-08-12T16:55:00.000Z

I took photos of a female fire-spinner at my VSO's fund-raising event at the Dominican Assocation, Bradford wheresa my Mum organised in 2005. Using Olympus digital camera.

Captured by my digital camera

2007-08-12T16:36:00.000Z

Honestly, I really don't like digital cameras because it only control itself most of the time but as using my 4 years old digital camera Olympus AF 3x op. zoom, I took these photos in my imaginative way. You can do great pictures by any kind of cameras.

Capture myself

2007-08-12T12:14:00.000Z

Ash

2007-08-10T13:44:00.000Z

BNP terrorist

2007-08-10T10:17:00.001Z

'BNP terrorist jailed '

by Lester Holloway 31/7/2007

AN EX-BNP CANDIDATE has been jailed for stockpiling bomb-making chemicals.

Robert Cottage, 49, was today found guilty of storing explosive chemicals he had built up believing that immigration would spark a civil war.
The former British National Party council candidate from Colne in Lancashire had pleaded guilty to possession.

He was sentenced to two and a half years behind bars, but could be released before Christmas.
The former school bus driver had previously been cleared of conspiracy to cause explosions after two trials at Manchester Crown Court.

Cottage’s wife Kerena told a social worker she was concerned about the substances and her husband’s belief that immigrants were swamping Britain.
After the case, Detective Inspector Dave Hickey said that Cottage held "eccentric... honestly-held views" and was "of previous good character."

'low risk'

DI Hickey said: "He has already spent a long time on remand, and that coupled with the early release scheme means he is likely to be out within six months. After that, he will be monitored closely by parole officers.

"He is a man of previous good character and his life has dramatically changed because of this investigation.

"His marriage has broken up and he has lost his job so when he comes out of prison he has got to rebuild his life. His experience will perhaps have a sobering effect on the more radical elements of his views.

"We feel the sentence justifies the way in which the matter has been handled by the police and the prosecution authorities.

"He was a very eccentric man with very eccentric views that most people would not agree with, although it's probably fair to say they were honestly-held views."
Sentencing Cottage, Mrs Justice Swift said Cottage's actions had been "criminal and potentially dangerous".

She added a pre-sentence report said Cottage held "over valued ideas" but said there was a low risk of him committing further offences.

She said: "It is important to understand that Cottage's intention was that if he ever had to use the thunder flashes it was only for the purpose of deterrents.

"I am satisfied it was Cottage's views on how he put it 'the evils of uncontrolled immigration' would lead to civil war which would be imminent and inevitable.

"The pre-sentence report says Cottage continues to hold views that via towards the apocalyptic. The risk of further offending of the same type is low but it cannot be ruled out.
"I accept the intention was to hold these chemicals until the outbreak of civil unrest. That was a criminal and potentially dangerous act.

"In letting off any such thunder flash mistakenly believing you were under threat you may have caused injury to some innocent person."

A second man, retired dentist David Jackson, 62, from Nelson in Lancashire, was also charged with conspiracy to cause explosions.

BLINK

The way the police commented on BNP terrorist sentence is so hypocrite, comparing to their comment on 'Islamic terrorists'.

Terrorist is terrorist.

I am more terrified of white terrorists than Islamic terrorists because our famililes' houses and cars afew has been racially attacked by whites in the past. Never has been racially attacked by non-whites.

I can't believe that the police think that Robert is no harm now, he is racist role model to younger white generation. The police had a pity on him because of his failed marriage and 'good' character. The British police see white terrorist as good terrorist, the British police only see Islamic terrorist as bad terrorist.

That BNP terrorist should be locked away for years and years to protect our British black community.

I read the Asian newspaper about other BNP terrorists who wanted to do massacre of blacks, Asians & non-Britishs, it says British media never broadcasted this news. I wonder why British media still broadcast black victims who had been shot dead as black on black. Do they assuring us that the real black culture is that what it is?

I am more interested in finding out the news about BNP, NF, Combat 18, KKK than white British people's most fear of terrorism is anti-American/British propaganda because I am only looking after myself and the black community. That's it

Other black men can't dance too..

2007-08-08T16:09:00.000Z

You know so many black people are really good.. at dancing (includes me unarrogantly) BUT I am really disappointed with Brian from Big Brother who is black (and seriously unintelligent)'s dancing! He must be first black man dancing really bad in the world. Still, he is very sweet. He makes me like a hypocrite because I vote for him to win.

Take Paris Hilton back to the jail please

2007-08-08T11:24:00.000Z

I would like to charge Paris Hilton for making people sympathise her over her feckin' extremely-short stay at jail.

What evidence?

1) Spiritual Warrior
2) Count Your Blessings
3) The Power of Kabbalah
4) The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment
5) Holy Bible

That attention-seeker who think the world THINK she is the new Marilyn Monore, (as if) carried these books to show off with a BIG designer bag. Why doesn't she just put these in her BIG BAG?

Whenever you see her with these 'unread' books, please please please take these back to Waterstone's. Real criminals who deserved the long-term need it.

What make Miss Deaf UK content good?

2007-08-08T11:21:00.000Z

1) Don't hire Deaf-impaired so-called professional Melissa Sterry.

2) Barred Bobby Darvo. Hire our favourite John Smith.

3) The winner of Miss Deaf UK shouldn't win, she clearly can't walk properly.

4) Book Winter Garden ballroom in Blackpool not world's smallest pub.

5) Treat Deaf celebrities like royalists.

6) Select more BSL signers less broken BSL signers.

7) Who is fecking Corin Greenhow? Hire a Deaf presenter.

8) Anti-chavism enivornment.

9) Cancel one of 2 Deaf-impaired judges to add one Deaf person at 'last minute' - 9 Deaf judges.

10) Don't be clown (I am scared of), just natural.

That's it.

PS '3) The winner of Miss Deaf UK shouldn't win, she clearly can't walk properly.'

For those of you might misunderstand this quote, just because of their balance, which is not true. It is about the catwalk. I have seen this Miss Deaf UK winner walks normally is much better than trying to catwalk 'hard'. Although other losers catwalked much better than that winner.

Special offer - 35p

2007-08-04T19:12:00.000Z

Friday.
Bought the ticket with 'disabled' Metro pass for 35p.
On train to Leeds from Bradford.
But I was in rush.
Too foo to buy the train ticket for Derby.
On the train
I enjoyed reading ZOO.
I hopped off at Derby without paying anything.
Drinking, signing & hugging.
Sleeping at Heritage hotel.

Saturday.
Missed most important meal of the day.
Still too foo to buy the train ticket for Leeds
On the train.
Reading The Guradian.
About BNP celebrating the British 'Heritage'
Spooky.
Hopped off at Leeds without paying anything.
Saw the train would leaves in a minute.
Or buying the ticket.
Feck it.
Hopped on the train for Bradford.
Communication broken down.
Couldn't bother and pity on me.

Fantastic special offer, Bradford-Derby returns for 35p.

Yep, it's true. Yes, I was playing my Deaf card but 'tiniest' part of my protest over TV license.

Rammie Gang

2007-08-04T18:37:00.000Z

Last night, Rammie Gang at The Standing Order in Derby, about between 100-200 Deafies gathered. I enjoyed breaking my viriginity at Rammie Gang (actually this is my first visit at RG, not what you think). Robin Hood Gang is next.

BDA congress who?

2007-08-02T12:02:00.000Z

Anne Cunningham's comment: The publicity for this conference has been very poor. I was at Liverpool Deaf Club yesterday afternoon and many many people knew nothing about it (despite Southport being just up the road!)

Grumpy Old Deafies

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Blimey!

RSPCA + RNId = monkey

2007-08-02T10:59:00.000Z

RNID appoints Jackie Ballard as new Chief Executive - 30 July 2007

Jackie Ballard said: "I am delighted to be moving to RNID after five highly enjoyable years at the RSPCA. It has been an honour and a privilege to work for the RSPCA and it's very reassuring that I’m moving on at a time when the Society is in such a healthy position and has achieved so much, particularly our successful campaign for the new Animal Welfare Act.

"I’m ready for a new challenge and very much looking forward to my new role at RNID. I count myself extremely lucky to be moving from one fantastic organisation to another."

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In the past (even now), igronant Deaf-impaired (deaf too) people still call us 'monkey' just because we sign our own language naturally, let alone Jackie Ballard who worked at RSPCA just got a job at so called 'deaf' organisation which is most famous organisation in the UK. Interesting.

My first visit at Rammie Gang!

2007-08-02T10:39:00.000Z

For those of you don't know what Deaf gangs in the UK, Deafies gather every 2 months. Where? Yorkshire Pudding Gang in Leeds (Jan, March, May etc), Geordie Booze Gang in Newcastle (Jan, March, May etc), Rammie Gang in Derby (Feb, April, June etc), Scouser Gang in Liverpool (Feb, April etc) & Robin Hood Gang in Nottingham (Jan, March etc).

On 3rd August 2007, my visit at Rammie Gang in Derby will be my first time ever, although as a ex Yorkshire Pudding Gang organiser, I advised the RG organiser to set up RG 3 years ago! I will be interested in finding out why this gathering is much greater and exciting than former YPG as well as second best to Geordie Booze Gang who recently has been awarded for Best Gang of the Year 2006 in the UK.

Ovais & Lenka

2007-07-30T12:22:00.000Z

Ovais' stag night and Lenka's hen night on the very same night on the 26th of July 2006.

Ovais and Lenka got married in Prague, Czech on 27th July 2007. I was so pleased that about 65 relatives and friends cried laughing WITH my best man speech in BSL, CZSL and Gesturo...

The Truth about Miss Deaf UK

2007-04-22T18:57:00.000Z

I just found this very, very, very uncomfortable to watch this event on See Hear. Clearly, hearing power took over Miss Deaf UK. I felt really sick to see 10 Deaf-impaired celebrities who are naive about the Deaf community being treated like royalists while John Smith's gig cancelled.. Bobby Darvo encouraged the mostly Deaf audience to sing the Sinatra classic New York, New York... good Deaf awareness(!)

Check out article on The Guardian http://society.guardian.co.uk/social...

You can send a comment if 'Social Care' offend you

Misconception of a Blender

2007-04-22T18:53:00.000Z

Blender. Try oil and water. But you can't mix these easily. It would look funny. So you learn your mistake. I prefer using these separately. Wash a blender then dry. Try English and BSL. You try to look away. Being a teacher's pet. You already learn to look away. So you still won't learn your mistake. I can write English but can't sign English. I can sign BSL but can't write BSL.

Press a button

2007-04-22T18:50:00.000Z

Bad fume. Wild driving. Countless horns (I happily never know how Deaf-impaireds feel). Black Men Womanisers. Global warming. Give you two fingers. Bad breath on mobile. Still, you can’t have a power to stop them by pressing the Wait button for walking across the road except Zebra crossing with these Wait machines.Ironically, many curious people still press the Wait button several times for stopping the vehicle.

Apparently, this machine who had its own language - word ‘Wait’ only let you know that you have to wait rather, not that you had a mystery power to stop. Or you still could enjoy with pressing this button senselessly. You know when the woman say wait till she is ready, you just can’t take a button off twice. For women, wait till footy match finished, you just can’t press the control remote twice.Otherwise you would see many white big cotton balloons in the street, after all.

Typical white British media

2007-04-05T15:35:00.000Z

Why? check it out - Muslim Terror Threat

Blacks at Oxford Uni

2007-04-05T15:26:00.000Z

'Currently Oxford has just 22 African and Caribbean students, and not all of them are from Britain. A significant portion of this number come from the US and Africa.'

BLINK

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British education is still failing British black children... we need more British black teachers. Apparently, for black pupils, black teacher would be better role model than white teachers. They would know how to teach black and other races about slavery without big deal.

My ASL, how?

2007-04-04T20:19:00.000Z

My'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyh3pTJo9Lw">My ASL, how? You can comment on this post!

Why I become a Cub Scout leader

2007-04-04T19:02:00.000Z

I would like to tell you why I become a Cub Scout leader of 61st Scouts Bradford North in Bradford, West Yorkshire since I quitted Scouting at 17.

I joined last Oct when I found out there are Deaf people involved which tempted me to join. Actually during doing my voluntary work in Guyana, South America, my Mum met a Deaf Beaver leader who is working with Beaver troops aged between 5 and 8 years olds. He is my old friend though. He was looking for a new Deaf leader of cub scouts. Both him and his hearing wife set up a new group a year ago.

I am working with 15 cub scouts includes 4 Deafies and a hard of hearing, they are 8 ½ and 10 years olds. They all are BSL signers. They were fascinating to getting know about my life, my voluntary work, Deaf identity etc. Hearing beavers and cub scouts sign BSL which is fantastic, they love BSL! Most of them approached at me for learning more BSL. Eventually leaders set up a BSL class for everyone. They provided one communicator and one interpreter. They are lovely!

Reasons I joined because I was a Beaver, Cub Scout, Scout of 39th Bradford South and Venture of different group for 11 years. Unfortunately I was only a Deaf person among with rest of hearing troops and leaders. It was very frustrating and lonely. I used gestures to communicate with all of them most of the time rather than BSL except my Mum picked me up at end of the night. None of them signed or even learned any BSL, so it was difficult for me to sign in front of them.

I only remember that Beavers DID sign BSL for a play when I was about 6 years. That’s how my Mum taught them to sign song ‘Rainbow’. But after that, they didn’t learn any more BSL because my Mum wasn’t a leader. Only Deaf-impaired leaders. They didn’t know any of BSL. No Deaf awareness.

Whatever I was so bored, I often played different of famous characters, make faces or showing my ‘clean’ white teeth to make people laugh, it was my only way to communicate with non-BSL signers. I also enjoyed to playing any sports as there was unnecessary of communication.

While I was a Scout, about 12 years old, I have been bullied by white troops for being black. They gestured ‘black bastard’ often, (two fists circled on cheeks, then gestured glasses on eyes). I said nothing but only smiled scarily because there were 10 scouts plus a Venture who was supposed to look after us all. I even was a vice troop of Kestrel. Obviously I was very easy target for being black and Deaf. Apparently, it sometime made me feel like I hate white AND hearing people. It wasn’t their fault. It is just society, peer pressure and lack of education.

It was certainly impossible for me to sign in front of them, let alone racist bullying.

They also were making fun with their hand and faces. It creep me out!

I often didn’t know where we would do next. The leader explained to other Scouts what we would do, then he told me to follow him or them to do something. It was really awful. Missed so much information. I felt like a KFC without a head.

One time, my Mum explained something brief as she expected the leader explained to me full information. I thought we would walk up the mountain and eat some food in the night then return home later. She bought me a massive orange plastic (I even didn’t know what it is for) and gave me some food. I met 39th Scouts and leaders to drive us to somewhere in the North I didn’t know where exactly. I had a rucksack on my back walking up along with Scouts for 5 hours in the night. Nice moon but no Michael J. Fox. As we walked for ages, we couldn’t walk back to the car parking at time of the night, so I expected we are staying at the old guesthouse. Suddenly we stopped in middle of moorland, it was so dark. I didn’t see any house with lights. I wonder why. I saw all Scouts put out the orange plastic, same one I had. So I had to put mine out… I just realised we had to sleep in a sleeping bag with the orange plastic outside all night! It was so windy and very cold. I enjoyed it very much, loving it! Apparently most of other wimps Scouts refused to go, I would refuse IF I got right full information.

Best part was I had to bring a friend. It was Paul Marlow. He is Deaf and fluently BSL signer. So I would get a badge. It was because of our communication - beautiful BSL IN FRONT OF hearing troops. Most of them dropped their jaw. They expected me being deaf and dumb. So they were hearing and dumb then because they can’t sign. But it was only one night. Short life. Fucking hell. Why did I say in bad language (or call it French???)? Because it got worse afterward. I was more frustrated, leading me to get into trouble more instead of being funny boy.

I had a crush on a Guide girl called Jenny. She was so popular and very pretty. My skinny cheek was painful, I smiled at her so many time. Of course she is Deaf-impaired. Why did I like her? She was good at gesturing as if she wanted to learn BSL. I couldn’t teach her BSL in case she might tell other troops. I feel pooing myself when she smiled at me. I sometime feel like a deaf and dumb as left out from chit-chat.

Amazingly, I met her again after 5 years. She knew finger-spelling and some basic BSL signs. We dated for a few weeks!

That’s how I realised I wanted to go to Deaf Youth club where I rarely visited, I feel myself when I was with Deaf youngsters but my Mum wanted me to cope with hearing world in reality. She only wanted the best for me. Imagine other (yours) parent thought too. I was still not happy with hearing world for 10 years except mainstream primary school.

Although, I did enjoy camping, knotting, making own fire, trekking, drama, games, many badges and more. Overall, 39th Scouts was fantastic.

When I left 39th Bradford South at 15. Becoming a venture of different group, I don’t remember what group. I didn’t give a poo. Because it was much worse than 39th. They treated me like an African slave. We didn’t talk very much. I even didn’t know their name. I happily quit just after a year as I was focusing on my playing for under-16 hearing football club. That group even didn’t notice that I left!

I feel so free and so happy. I am so me when I am with the Deaf community. I found my Deaf identity. I looked back, realising I was so naïve. 39th Scouts once asked me to be leader. I refused because I didn’t want to put up with them again, even they would offer me to teach BSL. I just lost faith in them. Although I still use my experience to do something. Good thing.

But when my Mum found out that there are Deaf/hearing troops at 61st Bradford North. I realised that I want to join as a leader because there is BSL. I also want them to have a great experience at Scouting unlike my experience. I missed so much information and no BSL or Deaf awareness. BSL is so important to every Deaf child. I can see all 61st Cub Scouts enjoy themselves very much.

I had a great chat with a Scout director of Bradford North, as a black Parksion, I asked her many, many, many, many questions that I never asked before!

It could be different if my old 39th Cub Scouts or Scouts learn BSL at their school. I would be more happy and less frustrated, integrating with hearing who learn BSL.

As a football referee (sorry, Ian Wright, you are still my hero) at Cub Scout Bradford North’s 5-a-side football last January, a hearing boy about 9 years old with a different group. He approached at me and signed BSL, I was so surprised! We had a good chat!

I would like more Deaf youngsters to join different groups as there are only one group with Deaf troop in Bradford. I suppose there are many Deafies in the UK. Nowadays, I really hope there are no Deaf have experience like me. At 39th, I would encourage more Deafies to join.

I love being a Cub Scout leader!

My ASL handshape - motorbike

2007-04-03T12:26:00.000Z

You can check out my ASL handshape of motorbike on youtube.com. Click this clip on left. You can comment this post if you want to judge my ASL skill.

Major League copycat?

2007-03-18T18:17:00.000Z

Football League's ideas for penatly shoot-outs or score from half way in 8 seconds instead of draws?

For those of Americans who may not know what football mean, I am talkng about 'soccer'. Rest of world call it 'football'.

Should Football League be like Major League? No way. Imagine another crazy idea, Arsenal FC won so-called 'World Serie'.... in the Premiership in England.

English football, we may be small but strong like expresso.

Happy BSL Day, Mum

2007-03-18T17:27:00.000Z

Broken BSL signers must had a great half day. Happy Mother's Day. Today I awarded my Mum with 4 certificates which I created - Best Mum, Best Parent, Best Loyal & Best Nag.

Mother's Day V BSL Day from Deaf Scene.

St. Paddy Ladd's Day

2007-03-16T13:53:00.000Z

Happy Paddy Ladd. I only know 3 well-known Patricks are Ladd, Vieira and my old schoolmate. At least we British had a good excuse to get pissed.

Shoe freak

2007-03-16T13:48:00.000Z

I am abit like shoe freak. I can tell people's personality with their shoes! I really don't like Nike Max trainers mean I don't like Chavs then.

As a fake 'macho' straight man, I always look at women's shoes because I would know what they are really like. I could be 75% right.

Why did I run slowly in my dream?

2007-03-15T17:34:00.000Z

I dream every night. I am not talking about Beyonce or Miquita Oliver (I haven't dreamt about them yet which I would like to.)

I sometime remember most of my greatest/scariest/strangest dreams. I wondered why I ran very slowly when I want to run fast not that I am overweight.. I should run faster in my dream than a real world. A friend explained the very very very interesting theory (should be fact). Tell you.. why did I (you too) often run slowly when i wanted to run fast? I pull my duvet with my feet pushing.. automatically linked to spoil my dream. Interesting.

Did I communicate with/to people in my dream? ..BSL? yes. Communication through our read-minding? yes. Oral? fortunately no.

Faking orgasm?

2007-03-15T16:57:00.001Z

I went to the job centre last Tues. I expected a sweet CSW with very broken BSL or too hard to sign BSL. Fortunately I met a CSW, not because she is so sweet it's because her brother is maunally Deaf, meaning her BSL, facial expression and grammar is much better than broken BSL signers. Even from job description on the computer, she translated printed English into BSL with right grammar not cumbersome broken BSL.

We had a brief chat about her BSL level 3 class where she studies. Some of her fellow students told her that they think her facial expression is stupid, she should be polite. Level 3? Same level as an A-Level standard... those cold faces should understand that other hearing people naturally express their BSL through Deafhood or even they can be able to express their face without.

Maybe they are jealous. They might be failing to fool their partner by faking orgasm. Facial expression is so important to women if they want to fake one. Unless men can cope with groaning and moaning without facial expression.

I wonder, those cold faces who could pass their level 3... a teacher for the Deaf wannabe. Eeek!

Tesco equal cochlear implant

2007-03-13T18:03:00.000Z

Just ramblings!

2007-03-08T16:32:00.000Z

Come on BDFC!

I am so excited about playing 5-a-side football against third-placed Deaf-impaired team 'The Wanderer' tomorrow night. We would be still second-placed with 6 points clear. Either 8 or 5 points behind a leader.

With 5 games to go!!!!

Deaf Concert, Guyana, South America
Guyana's Deaf Community are presenting the concert at the Saint School at 1pm on 10 March. They are raising fund for Deaf Awareness Week! Im looking forward to knowing whats news!

Februray Fantasy
Again from Guyana, I got an email from my friend Tricia who is a schoolteacher, 2 Deaf young girls Sherika and Asiyah signed Guyanese Sign Language in poem in front of people to celebrating Februray Fantasy! I remember when I first met them, they signed most of homemade signs but their GSL skills improved!!! I am so pleased for them!

Boring, boring Arsenal
I was not very happy with their process... can't believe we lost 3 silverwares in 11 DAYS! Always next season...

Happiness is strength

2007-03-08T15:15:00.000Z

Why are single-minded people moaning that I am so happy being Deaf? Happiness is strength, you can't stop me being Deaf. Maybe they don't have it yet.

Hamilton Lodge or RSD, Derby are better than Mary Hare

2007-03-07T19:04:00.000Z

I would choose Hamilton Lodge School or Royal School for the Deaf, Derby if my children are Deaf. I believe bilingual education are better for Deaf children. I wouldn't send mine to 'OFTED's best Deaf schools' Mary Hare or Boston Spa as they still abuse Deaf children's natural language. I even still wouldn't send mine there if they accept BSL because oralism still would be around for a few years especially non-terminated hearing teachers with no BSL qualification. I would be amazing if Mary Hare give Deaf teachers with fluent BSL teaching jobs.

sign, sign, sign

2007-03-07T18:39:00.000Z

I changed the title 'stop bad breath pollution. sign BSL' instead of 'use'. Same for Deaf impaired's saying ' I speak English'

Googled: deaf-mute V manual deaf

2007-03-06T16:10:00.000Z

Deaf-mute - 997,000
Manual Deaf - 1,110,000

Yay!

manual Deaf V Deaf-mute

2007-03-06T14:48:00.000Z

I think this term manual Deaf is much more better than Deaf-mute. Why? When I see Deaf-mute, I don't see any specific concepts of sign language. Could be broken BSL or SEE. Imagine if you accept being Deaf-mute, you had to sign WITHOUT a voice or broken BSL or SEE (these cumbersome forms often using a voice). Deaf-mute doesn't mean you just sign, you could lost your voice, kind of disabilities affect a voice etc.

There are so many 'D'eaf people sign broken BSL in the UK as well as in the USA for broken ASL. I don't use any voice when I sign except on one to one with my Mum. I don't speak very very very very very well but I don't give a SSE. My mum even asked me if I wanted to go to oral school Boston Spa when I was 8, I said no I like BSL. I never have been to any oral school or being certainly forced to speak all the time (actually my hearing mainstream teacher forced me to speak twice but she gave up immediately as I found this very uncomfortable.), as saying that, I didn't have any oralism experience so I don't have any motivation to stop using my voice generally. I still sign without a voice anywhere.

Manual means I sign any sign languages without using any voice. Also it doesn't mean broken BSL or SEE.
Mute means I choose to not speak which I don't speak. It doesn't mean sign language.

Which is more positive? I prefer to sign or I prefer to not speak? So that's manual Deaf.

That's my view.

Recognition of BSL march (photos)

2007-03-05T19:34:00.000Z

I took photographs of recognition of BSL march in Bradford in 2001. Organised by Bradford Deaf Forum with support of FDP. Around 80 BSL-supporters marched.

BSL Act now! (another photos)

2007-03-05T19:26:00.000Z

Another photos of BSL act march in Bradford in September 2003

Use, use, use

2007-03-04T18:12:00.000Z

From all the young dudes

"And lastly, I’m getting fucking pissed off at the usage of the word USE when referring to sign language. We don’t fucking USE sign language. We SIGN! Get with the fucking program"

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Interesting! I don't realise that the word 'use' is refering to sign language. 'I use English' sounds funny... but for BSL, its not funny(!) I will try my best to not using 'use' from now!

hearing-still is the new deaf-mute

2007-03-03T21:47:00.000Z

All fuss over 'Deaf-mute', imagine if we accept this term, hearing people should be called 'hearing-still'. For oral users, them who secretly enjoy calling us deaf-mutes, they are 'deaf-still'.

If you think this term 'hearing-still' is stupid, you are doubly stupid hypocritically then. Without question.

Must be a world record. Why? always refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism, refering to oralism

I prefer Deaf.

BSL Act now!

2007-03-03T21:24:00.000Z

BSL activists marched through the town of Bradford among Bradford Deaf Forum and FDP to fight for BSL Act in September 2003. I picked best photographs.

Not very hard

2007-02-28T16:33:00.000Z

Originally Posted by SB_GB_4ever
I prefer PSE that is what i have learned and am still learning. For hearing people like me ASL is ver easy to sign but very hard to understand. I would go with PSE.

gnulinuxman replies:
Hmmm...I'm a hearing person and don't have that many problems understanding ASL. I would prefer it if people wouldn't generalize like that.

Alldeaf

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For the USA, PSE is like broken BSL which is based in the UK. Its nice to know that a hearing person to understand ASL plus defend this beautiful language!

This quote 'For hearing people like me ASL is very easy to sign but very hard to understand' is not very true, my hearing friends who sign BSL fluently way too better than Deaf broken-BSL users understanding me completely.

My passion

2007-02-28T16:14:00.000Z

Photography

Painting/illustration

Good quotes!

2007-02-28T15:56:00.000Z

An educator attended a convention in the mid-west at 1990's. During one of the workshops, a hearing mother said proudly that her oral son aged five had seven words in his vocabulary: "He can pronounce seven words perfectly." Another hearing mother said proudly that her oral son had 15 words in his vocabulary and could pronounce the 15 words fairly well. Several deaf mothers gasped: "Seven words?" "15 words?" The two hearing mothers nodded with the glowing joy. The several deaf mothers then said, "Why? My deaf children have over 500 words in ASL."

Jean Boutcher, 1994

I happen to be postlingually deaf and speak quite well. When I have to, I use my voice in situations like ordering food in a restaurant.

My mother, on the other hand, is prelingually deaf and never has been able to speak despite years of speech therapy as a child. She always signs or writes on paper.

Technically speaking, in terms of ability, I should be considered the least sheltered member of my family because I can use the mode of communication used by hearing people.

However, it doesnt work out that way; what usually happens is that the minute I use my voice, hearing people inadvertantly assume I can hear better than my mother and they begin to talk faster. In no time, Im lost. I have to say "whoa, waitaminute, back up a bit here..." and the hearing person has to repeat the whole thing. And they usually have to repeat often.

My mother, on the other hand, writes down her question on a piece of paper and establishes from the get-go that she's completely deaf. With that understood, the hearing person is usually more accomodating and writes back on the notepad. In no time, my mother has the information she wants, while I'm still going "eh, what did you say?" with my superior (but worthless in this situation) speaking skills.

Mark Deffman, 1995

Most of ASL signs links to English letters

2007-02-27T14:56:00.000Z

ASL is great but most signs links to English letters. For example, signed 'People' with fingerspelled 'P'

Who created it? hearing?

BSL doesn't have these..

Point to my ear and 'pen and paper'

2007-02-27T12:34:00.000Z

At any shop, I usually point to my ear (I move my lip - 'DEAF' without a voice) and gestured 'pen paper... pen paper... pen paper...' with my eye raised to control my frustration. These hearing cashiers would drop their cheerful face to puzzled face, thinking they wished I was forced to go to Mary Hare.

I have been treated like a deaf and dumb child, one time at McDonald's, the cashier (he reminded me of my old dinner-ladies at the mainstream school) had a brief chat with 2 other cashiers while he get some food for me, they looked at me and then smiled at me like I was a cute black baby or something.

That cashier gave me food. I knew how much it was because I can see how much on the till front even if it weren't there, I still would know but he pointed at the till cheerfully like a mental patient. He apparently embarrassed me in front of other customers who may not know I am Deaf.. as if they might think I could be anything except Deaf.

I tried to control my frustration and give him the excat amount I paid. He looked at these for 5 seconds... his expression was like a miracle, making it sounds I can be able to count how much and pay - £2.38. Luckily he couldn't see my red face as Im black, I walked off... worse, he was smiling when I turned around. I would like to strangle his neck, he even may be still smiling!

What would happens if I speak flunetly? He might treat me like a hearing man (with a good breath!). Other cashiers and him could hand-shake and congratulate me for breaking my voice not BSL!

It would be much less frustrating and more intergrating for my Deaf grandchildren if BSL to be taught at all UK schools because most hearing expect us Deaf can understand them through speaking 100 PERCENT! I wonder how they feel if I expect them to understand me through flunet BSL. I know some hearing workers can sign basic BSL which I feel less uncomfortable and relaxable.

Not many Deaf people can speak very well, not same level as hearing. More like a working-class child voice or even can't sing! I can't imagine if an oral person try to sing in front of Simon Cowell.. ahem!

Imagine if BSL is legalised plus BSL taught at all UK schools long time ago, I wouldn't have to do the point to my ear/pen paper thing again. We would be treated equally.

In South America, I once asked a lovely woman for pen and paper, not because she is Deaf-impaired, not because she is GSL-impaired (Guyanese SL), not because she is ASL-impaired... because she signs in SEE!!! Signed Exact English! Ar-r-r-r-r-r-r-gh! She is hearing herself and Nigerian. Actually I met a person who uses SEE for the first time. I found this very very very uncomfortable because I had to follow her hands and lips at the same time (like I'm Deaf-impaired, look at hands) because I find it almost impossible to understand her if I look at her beautiful face.

She learned that from the BOOK and church in Nigeria. I don't know what situation over there. (One of new VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas) volunteers who is Deaf Canadian woman Christine will work with the Deaf-blind community in Nigeria this year. It wil be interesting to know more about her diary!)

She thought it would help Deaf people to literate through SEE. She believed (yep past tense) that sign language affected reading and writing skill. I explained to her a lot. Deaf children would excel in English and sign language by language development at early ages plus teacher had to be able to use both English and sign language. Of course that's bilingual education. I also explained that I born hearing but became Deaf when I was 18 months old with meningitis, my Mum chosen BSL for me as first language at Thorn Park for the Deaf (bilingual edcation) but their education was so poor. I was supposed to learn at same age level which I really didn't. All my hearing teachers weren't like Deaf teacher who knows best. Their teaching should be for babies. So my Mum found out and not happy with my literacy skill, so at 11, I was transfered to the mainstream which wasn't strong enough for me as my English was slowly better since I was 11. Although mines much better since 16. I realised that I should use both BSL and English at same level.

I teached GSL to that woman, it was more relaxable. Better than an awkwardly form -SEE. Plus GSL saved my sore eyes.

At the moment, my English is same level as SSE users meaning my English need a lot of work on because I respect and admire English unlike most SSE users on BSL. May I excel in English one day? Unlikey but I would be happy if mines get better and better.

best breath comment!

2007-02-26T17:19:00.000Z

Hearing mutes are people

Lejon said...

I love you, Carl! I'm Deaf (yes, with a capital "D"), but I'm not a mute. Because I can speak fluently. (Ironically, I do feel that it's an unfortunate that I can speak.) It IS OK for anyone who can't speak and they call themselves mutes.

Again, I love you man!

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I rarely see a person who speaks fluently admit that he is 'D'eaf! Almost like it was really a CODA!

best breath blog!

2007-02-26T17:04:00.000Z

'Can you lipread? Yes but'

Kalalau's Korner:
Last Thursday I had an honor to accompany Frank Parker who is the (hard-of-hearing) headmaster of Horizons Academy of Maui to a reception in honor of a new school principal, Ms. LeeAnn DeLima, at Kamehameha School Maui. It was a great Hawai’ian celebration, and numerous influential people came to this ceremony.

While waiting in the line to congratulate Ms. DeLima, we had some small talks with people around us. Right behind us was a lady by the name of Ms. BJ Alexander, who is the CEO of Kamehameha Schools in all Hawai’i. She was very sociable and friendly. Upon discovering that I am Deaf, she quickly asked if I could read lips. I answered yes but explained that it would be a lot of work and that I would miss a lot of it. She would have to speak to me very slowly. I told her I use American Sign Language. She was very impressed and we talked a little bit about teaching the language and culture of the Deaf and Deaf Education in general.

When it was our turn to meet and congratulate Ms. DeLima, I got very excited. Frank Parker introduced me to her, using as much ASL as he could. I could sense how impressed she was because she offered me a kiss. I became flippant.

Comments

Jay Croft said...
When hearing people ask me, "Can you read lips," I often respond, "Not too well. Can you?"

Epeachy News said...
Jay,I like your comment - (can you?)I'll try to remember that when hearing people ask me near in the future.

DeafLinux said...
And in addition, tell them with the "lights on or off?" That will make them think.

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Plus I like his other blog... Philosophy and Deaf children

One of my favourtie quotes..

2007-02-26T16:21:00.000Z

"I have been fighting against the legacy of empire all my life... Anybody who has thought of giving me this OBE can't have read my work."

"It's partly the protest against this government, but to be honest if there wasn't this war happening I still wouldn't accept this OBE from the Queen," the poet said.

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Black poet Benjamin Zephaniah's quote is perfectly an example for against the war. Just remember the British Empire killed countless Africans plus destoryed their values and communities.

You are wayne-r!

2007-02-26T16:01:00.000Z

I am talking about Wayne Bridge the left-back Chelsea player. He is officially a cheat. He is left-back obviously. Yeah that's Asshley Hole. His wife was once racist calling a toliet attendent who is black (no, not British Empire era) a black bitch, unfortuntely born-bred Bradford singer Kim Walsh's mate.

Anyway Asshley Hole must advise Wayne-r to act wound, shot by a sniper. Why? Wayne-r has been talked to the linesman afterward, then that fool told referee. Send our hold-a-heart player off.

I think young guns should deserve a win because they are not rich bastards like £100,000,000 players. We played much better than those diamond-diggers.

Well done, Theo Walcott for your first goal!

Scotland's newspaper Daily Record and Dumb

2007-02-26T15:41:00.000Z

Daily Record

SIGNS OF THE TIMES
By Hilary Barclay

IMAGINE if your baby could tell you when they needed their nappy changed, when they were hungry or thirsty, or even if they wanted second helpings.

Well it is now claimed that they can - and from as early as three months old.
A simplified version of the British Sign Language designed for the deaf and dumb is being taught to some hearing infants.

Using sign language to communicate with babies and toddlers has been the subject of 20 years' research in America and is now part of the school curriculum over there.

Now we have our own Scottish "baby whisperer" in the form of Yvonne Mitchell, who is teaching this second language in nurseries and pre-school groups in Glasgow, Paisley and East Kilbride.
The 37-year-old said: "Parents are probably signing to their children already without realising it. For example, when they wave goodbye in an exaggerated fashion and say 'ta-ta'.

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I am sure anti-BSL supporters are secretly sniggering (maybe just nerve thing)... ghosts of pro-Milan 1880 too.

As a British VSO volunteer, I facilitated Deaf awareness across Guyana, South America. Still Scotland who is part of Britain still call us deaf and dumb... Ah, Nationalist issue... obviously!

Should I ask a Deaf Guyanese VSO volunteer to come here for helping Deaf awareness in Britain? UNICEF would agree...

Shame on you, Daily Record and dumb!

"You are like a white man"

2007-02-25T13:41:00.000Z

Implied racist or prejudicial statements:

There are a number of phrases that when used are insulting. Often the person uttering them
is “unaware of the layers” of attitudes that they reveal. They frequently feign ignorance of the
statements which further compounds the issue. Some examples are:

1) One of my best friends is Black.
2) I don’t see “color”, I just you as a person.
3) You people should...
4) Why are you so upset about...
5) All African Americans have good voices, play basketball well etc.
6) Calling an African American/Black male “boy” or “son”
7) What do Black people think about..
8) Referring to Blacks as “culturally deprived”
9) You are not like most other Blacks, you are different
10) Anyone as a credit to their race
11) You don’t sound/talk/sign Black

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This quote “You are not like most other Blacks, you are different” must be indirect racist. In my view, I am sorry but white people are most racist of all. Imagine hearing teachers and doctors are most audist of all. They don't need to think negative thing about us black. I know alot of white people turn around when it comes to racism issue because when they say something sensitivity they easily can offend any races. Whenever I talk about racism, some friends sometime say forget it and move on. They may afraid that they say something offending me (Im really open-minded, so I don't take 'anything', just depend) But did they learn anything? Nowadays, look at Islamaphobia. I feel so pissed with ignorant because some people said bad things about Muslim, thinking I am involved, no fucking way! I wouldn't be hypocrite because white said same bad thing about black in the past, so why would I support them or kiss their arse?

Funnily I got only one comment on my post - Miserable white woman, that's good because she learned something. Of course Deaf-UK debate on veiled Mulism woman alot but comment on non-white blogger's website? Most of them wouldn't watch racist films which I love, like 'Mississippi Burning' or 'American History X'.

Still, they automatically say "I am not a racist because I have a black friend". Bullshit.

Some of my white friends really thought, I learned from the white society academically and professionally. I would be a coconut like Obama then! I learned alot from who? Mum. She is 100% black. My Mum's side is more like middle-class family, many family members graduated with BA/BSc or MA/MSc either in England, Canada, USA and Dominica. Even my grandfather was a defence lawyer, his unemployed clients had to work on his garden for court fee and everything.

In fact, Africans achieve much more than West Indians because they got their own languages, strong values, strong communities etc comparing to West Indians who were unfortunately slaves. I applaud Africans.

Even worse, someone thought I was a bad boy, still she knows me for years! Some white people are not good too. What about Chavs? YOBs? BNP? Combat 18? We have been racially attacked by some WHITE men when I was 12. They smashed Mum's car for being black. It even made me prouder ever because nothing stops me being beautiful black.

White, Asian or other races people should know that black people can be very good, academic and professional.

I am like a black man who has been through experiences which my Deaf and black identity lead me to achieved a lot, not a clean and clever white man.

BNP - Black Nice People!

Just ramblings...

2007-02-24T00:39:00.000Z

Best man
As a fake macho man myself, I am so excited about my best mate Ovais and Lenka's wedding in July, where? Prague, Czech. Because I know him for about 24 years. He is an elder siblings of his sisters (he wanted wanted wanted a brother, poor him!) I expected him to be first to marry but his sister is married 3 years ago.

I am organising the long stag weekend for him this summer, he protested that he wouldn't drink anymore due to his visiting at drug awareness! Yeah, right...

My friends think my plan for his stag weekend will be legend... at the moment I try to believe them because we have been to many 'great' stagies in the past!

Tri-ingual (BSL, Punjabi, English)
Today, i met a Deaf man who went to my old school Thorn Park for the Deaf, with his 2 sons (aged 9 and 6). He looks so well and muslim himself. We had an interesting chat about his hearing children (all boys), they all can sign well, he said that his first son started to sign when he was 5, second son started at 4, third son at 2! Even he suggested that his 2 years old son signs better than his older brothers, actuallly I communicated with 2 older brothers, their BSL skills look much better than SSE users. Not broken BSL/English, just simply sign BSL smoothly. Imagine their younger brother is better!

You know, their tri-ingual environment (BSL, Punjabi, English) is not easy but they still are good. They are doing very well at school due to their language developement. Wow!

Second position with 6 games to go!
I play 5-a-side football with Bradford Deaf Football Club every friday nights, we are in second position in 3rd division (since 2002) among 7 other Deaf impaired teams. Whoa! Hopefully IF we are resuming on this same position till end of season, we would promote to the 2nd division.

I usually play as a forward (sometime defender depend on our fatigues) I scored 16 goals so far out of 22 games

SSE - 'Creole BSL' ??
My friend and I had a debate about new name - creole BSL. I wonder if SSE should change name to 'creole BSL' because cumbersome SSE is irrespectively blending 2 languages - BSL and English.

You know, the British Empire (Lucy Buchanan's favourite) taught English to inexperienced people in the third countries when the empire dominated the world. In my view, Britain secretly lost Second World War, still talking about beating Germany to avoid thinking about failure of British Empire. We gave reformation to other countries who we dominated.

These people who were forced to learn English to lost their ownership - their own language just because lazy and superior British Empire couldn't be bothered to speak different languages (nowadays, broken BSL for example).

At the moment, there are alots of creole Englishs (of course French and Spanish too) because of lack of proper education and also they speak their own language and English together. They fully accept creole English like Guyanese in South America, still many English experts feel offended and unfair with their language because English is their passion. That's how I feel about broken BSL. Whenever they see 'broken' English, they complain. Many people think that their complaints are right and freedom of speech but not BSL... they don't need to be hypocrities. They simply think BSL user, think troublemaker. Or think Deaf culture, think Deaf activist. Bullshit! There are so many Deaf people who are not activists have a Deaf culture! Imagine white people think black culture, think a drug dealer or AWOL father. They should put 'assumption' on their CV for personal skills. BSL is a language, communcation, visual, own grammar and gesture. NOT just Deaf, hearing too. It doesn't take you to be rocket scienist.

SSE as in Sign Supported English, ignorant hearing people invented this title AND created this cumbersome too. This title seems formal and official, I prefer calling it 'broken BSL/English' (my website address - ssehappens as in shit happens because SSE apparently failed my education my English GCSE result was E. Although I'm still determined to retake GCSE in 2 years time as my second language is changing alot since I was 16, I'm self-taught at the moment).

Imagine if this name creole BSL might be widely accepted as same as other countries accept creole English. Maybe it is not too late because we still have BSL unlike other countries who lost their ownership of language. Lucky we are passion with our language, we still fight for our rights. Shame about people who kissing Milan 1880's arses calling us troublemakers. I know how tribe people feeling...

In fact, hundreds of native languages are lost due to English and other languages who take over the globalisation.

I still prefer calling 'broken BSL/English'

If I was still hearing

2007-02-21T14:31:00.000Z

I asked my Mum that what she would choose education for me if I was still hearing (I became Deaf at 18 months old). She would choose local private school! I rather would go there than Mary Hare as Deaf pupil!

I don't know if I could be good or bad because I would be hearing black man, depend on varies of black communities. For white's perspective (more like stereotype), I could be drug dealer just because I am hearing black!

I could make fun of sign language on Deaf community or even I could be oral teacher! Arrrgh!

Of course, I am sure my Mum would raise me as same Ashton as I am now. Actually, she was fascinating with BSL before I born. She seen many BSL users (children and adults) at the hospital, even oral and CI. I am very glad that my Mum's decision was right to choose BSL for me AS my first language. I was so lucky!

Thankfully, my Deaf identity fulfil my life and it helps my determination. I do alot of things with my identity, like voluntary work within Deaf community in Guyana, South America. Many Deaf Guyanese's lives are improved by new Deaf clubs, Deaf awareness, GSL classes enhance to building interaction and communication of Deaf community and hearing community better.

I still can't imagine being hearing because my life is still brilliant!

At least a hearing person enjoy Deaf comedy!

2007-02-21T14:02:00.000Z

I found this link through Bionic Ear Blog, apparently it was really nice to know a hearing person's day was brightened up by John Smith's standing-up comedy style on See Hear!

Of course there are alot of hearing people understand and laugh with Deaf comedy but a hearing person said something on her own blog from watching 2D (with sound), it is nice!

Being Deaf man myself, I think John's style is way too far better than Peter Kay's, in my eye and out of my other eye.

I easily bursted into massive laugh with Deaf comedy much much more than hearing. My bog and tears were nearly run out!

I learned that I don't have to be Deaf impaired person to laugh WITH hearing jokes! I feel related with John's experience...

Other links - Woman Used Sign Language on Deaf to Scam Millions It was about a woman took about £10 millions by using 'sign language' (could be Japanese Sign Language). It showed that hearing people can be rich by the existence of Deaf people... even sign language which so many hearing people don't consider it as a real language. How ironic..

Photo manipulation

2007-02-14T14:23:00.000Z

I created something on an original picture last night, with Photoshop on my Mac. I could be like this photo when someone cut up my hands!

Legal protection for and promotion of sign languages

2007-02-13T16:20:00.000Z

Malcolm Bruce

Welsh and Gaelic receive more funds to protect themselves than BSL and Irish SL... those sign languages need to be seriously protected fairly.

Of course I support BSL to be taught at all UK schools. I believe that quoted ' call for the parents of deaf children to be given free tuition in sign language and information and choice over the role sign language can play in their child's development' would be fair and broadness. Many parents of Deaf children haven't received information over sign language in case BSL can affect speech and written English according to doctors... is that evidence?

Most of my hearing friends believe that BSL should be taught at all UK schools as same as Mandarin and Arabics unhypocritically.

I am sure many hearing pupils would enjoy those sign languages, for example, on Deaf Awareness Week (12-18 June 2006) Deaf Guyanese and I facilitated the Deaf Awareness workshop at hearing school in Guyana, South America.

We taught them finger-spell in ASL, basic ASL and role-playing (how to communicate with a Deaf person - mainly gesture and write down). They enjoyed it very much! They wanted to learn more GSL! However, all of hearing pupils asked if there are any GSL classes (after school) even there wasn't classes for children! Amazing! Although Deaf Guyaneses themselves are planning to set up classes soon!

Look! Sign language impaired can sign! part one

2007-02-13T14:48:00.000Z

Victoria Beckham signs 'Sh*t' in BSL

An England fan signs 'heard' in BSL

Chad Faust (CSI) signs 'support' in ASL

Missing deaf Guyanese reunites with NY family

2007-02-13T00:08:00.000Z

Last year, I think I have seen Damon Mootoo's face before but not met him. I saw him using GSL with his hearing friends or brothers when I was on a bus stopping shortly in New Amsterdam, Guyana, South America (an hour drive away from the captial city Georgetown). I am so glad he is alive.

Guyana's newspaper Stabroek News

The deaf Guyanese man who disappeared in Queens, New York less than 12 hours after his arrival has been found.

According to the New York Daily News new immigrant Damon Mootoo, 32, spent five cold days wandering around Jamaica after he got lost during a walk in the maze of streets in Queens.

Mootoo was rescued on Sunday after Michael Bharath, on his way home from church, saw Mootoo near his 142nd Place house on Rockaway Boulevard. "He looked in desperation," Bharath said. Mootoo's relieved brother Mark Miller said, "When we saw him, he was just crying. He said, 'I'm glad to see you.'" Mootoo said he was too intimidated to ask strangers for assistance and, after his ordeal the relieved man said, "I want to go home. I'm thinking about going back to Guyana."

Mootoo lost his way on Wednesday after he left his brother's Lot 152nd Street, south, Jamaica house to stretch his legs. The man left without wearing gloves or carrying any form of identification. "He said he was trying to find his way back," Miller said. "He said he was just walking all over. He was scared. He [had] heard all the stories about New York."

According to the Daily News Mootoo, who is hard of hearing, told relatives he didn't want to approach the police because he feared that he'd be deported. The man said he survived by begging several homeowners for water, but said he was too ashamed and shy to ask for food or directions back to his brother's residence. Mootoo said at nights, when the temperatures plunged into the low 20s, he slept in an abandoned car or sought shelter under a piece of wood in a yard.

Meanwhile, his panicked relatives had posted flyers with his picture across south Jamaica and had formed search parties. "We were thinking the worst after so many days," Miller said.

But just when hope was fading, Bharath spotted him. Cynthia, Bharath's wife made Mootoo a sandwich and, feeling secure, he told them his story, the newspaper said.

Bharath asked the man if he had anything with his relatives' address written on it and sure enough Mootoo dug into his pockets and found a piece of paper with his stepmother's Foch Boulevard address. Bharath drove Mootoo to the location and reunited him with his anxious family.

Of the experience, Bharath said, "When I see people in need, I try to help them. He was in need, I'm pretty sure that within a couple more hours he would have been a dead man."

Mootoo was treated at the Jamaica hospital for dehydration and frostbite.

Misrable white woman...

2007-02-12T22:31:00.000Z

I copied and pasted this quote (24th Oct 2006) from my old website..

Today, I saw a misrable white woman did give a dirty look at Bradford Interchange... no, not direct at me, not other black, not a Chinese, not a punk, not a chav, not an Indian, not a blind, not a CP, not a drunk, not a tramp, not even a womaniser..

..that was an innocent Pakistiani veiled Muslim woman.

Could be some reasons.. that white woman with no sense of dress may be jealous of a veil, she may knows her somewhere, she may feels scared or she may be simply typical racist..

I don't feel threatened or disgusted toward any Muslim women who wear a veil the way Islamphobics/racists feel because I understand their belief.. I am aware that there are many women who are forced to wear it by their families but we can't help eh.

I don't believe that whole of ethnic minorities in the UK should be like British people generally. What is modern British culture? Drinking(?) Brawling(?) Arrogance(?) Chavism(?) Full English breakfast(?) Only one language, English(?)

We simply can be united with respect and empathy.

Better eh

2007-02-12T21:21:00.000Z

I bought something essentials at Superdrugs today. Also I met a hearing girl who can sign again, she works there. Actually I quite like her! Every time I see her, I approach her to say hello and have a brief talk although she is really lovely and sweet. It was very nice and clear conversation as it was way too better than our first meeting awkwardly.

I remember I first met her at the till, she didn't know I am a Deaf BSL user. She asked something that I can't lipread well, I gestured "I am Deaf". She signed "I can sign a bit and do you want a plastic bag?". Sweet eh?

Furthermore, I taught some hearing people at Starbucks, Halifax, WHS generally, we had a good laugh in some BSL and gestures.

A CI girl died aged 7 years old by meningitis

2007-02-12T21:16:00.000Z

Check it out

Too white to be mixed race!

2007-02-11T02:11:00.000Z

I still don't understand why people called a mixed race person 'black' who born to white mother and black father. Is it because this person didnt have other 50% of white skin?? Make it sound like it damaged a 'normal' skin, so they call them black(!) Could be worser, 'skin impaired'. An old woman might tell her granddaughter 'Oh my God, your new baby is Dark! Sell it to Africa!' Actually it happened to other families, when the white women had having sex with black men to end up being pregnant without her parent knowing, afterward they hit the roof. It often hapened in the past. Alot of change now.

I don't call a mixed race person 'black'. I see them as black and white, for my written English - 'mixed race man'. '(point) man, black white mix' for BSL.

Knowing most white people (Deafies too) call the mixed race 'coloured', which is a racist word. That word bloodly creeped me out, even now! F*cking hell! Most white British people is not really white, their generations could be South-Asian, East European or other races.

I often read articles in newspapers or internet, it says 'first black blah blah blah...' Huh(!)

Colin Jackson is white too
Tiger Wood is Vietnamese too
Obama is white too
Rio Ferdinand is white too

Of course, alot of mixed race would like to call themselves 'black' because of their black identity, black community, culture and history etc. So they strongly feel their identity is black that is it. Other even consider themselves as white, depend on where they raised and lived socially. In the UK, alot of mixed race pupils with confusion of identity and belong to who, has been bullied at schools.

British people are most intelligent among other nations, maybe but simple math - black and white equals mixed race (not grey!)

We need more awareness on this.

Jon's 1st exposure to ASL

2007-02-10T16:49:00.000Z

I watched a video of Jon's story about how ASL become a part of him. As a BSL user, I completely understand his fluently ASL clearly, his face and body is so expressive! His signing is so breaktaking! Check it out!

For those of you, BSL users, translation of Jon's ASL.You can watch a video in ASL - Lenois

Hello. How did ASL become a part of me? I was the only deaf child and my parents were hearing. Their signing was awkward and not very good. What should they do with me? You know Fresno? (shows California and relationship of Fresno next to Tulare) There was a deaf program school there. I was put in it. Well, when I first saw it it was very awkward. It was SEE. So I learned and developed and practiced and as time went on (shows growing up), I went home and watched my dad standing in a group with his friends talking and laughing. I saw them, went up to my dad and said “dad, what’s so funny?” He thought for a bit and then gestured the joke. I thought yes, it was funny. Cool, so I took that experience and went to school and gathered everyone around. With SEE I set it up and signed and developed it and acted it out. When I finished, everyone was confused, except two boys over there laughed! They understood me! Awesome! The three of us joined up and stuck together. I felt connected and it was great. But, the two of them were mischevious and trouble and sure enough one day they were eliminated

Revelation
So I thought about it…what was up with those two boys? So I asked the teacher what happened to those two boys? And the teacher explained that they were bad and were sent to a big school were everyone’s sad and everyday there’s more of the same and they’re strict. I thought huh? I was scared and thought I’ll be a good boy, I swear! As things went along, I was curious, you know I missed those boys, we were together, it was cool, so I thought I’ll tell my mom I want to see them. She said “no, they are bad, go to that school” I begged her and she let up. I’m a good boy I told her, and she let up, okay. So she contacted them and it worked out! They came over and I was excited! The three of us got together and talked about the show Knight Rider. I told the story (tells story in SEE): The car, red lights flash, go fast, and the car is catching bad guys, great, and talking to his watch, yeah. The boys looked at me, looked at each other, looked at me, then signed an ASL version of the show (can’t translate this, it’s purely visual!). I watched and I fascinating but was wrong and fascinating but was wrong but fascinating and was wrong. So I thought about it and when that was over I went home and thought some more. I took my dad’s story and my curiosity about ASL and put that together and it became something more. I was excited and when I arrived at school I told someone the story, it was fascinating, “but Shhhhh don’t tell, you know the story about the two boys getting sent to the bad school. They showed me, I’m showing you, SHHH. If you tell the teacher we’ll be sent to the \”jail\” school, every day, we’ll stay there with persons watching us (note it looks as if from above like a guard tower), scary, so SHH. So cool, keep it SHH” as I felt like I\’m drug seller! I was excited and inspired. I told the story to the next person and the joke to the next person and it spread, it was cool, so it went along and was trouble and then BOOM. One day there was a lecture focused on writing English “blah blah, blah blah” . So the student saw it and said “The boy is riding bike and (cruising in ASL)” . The teacher said no, that’s wrong! English word order! It was a struggle. I saw that, it was awful. I could see it was like water in a bowl getting filled up and tipped out and ASL was spilling all over while the teacher tried to stop it and gather it up. At that point my parents said it’s time to move San Diego, so that was great.

Unshackled
So, I look back and it’s all a part of my vision/expaned idea. My dad’s story was like me getting in a car, ready to go and being stuck with the parking brake up. That’s SEE. I’m sick of it. Until ASL got intro me, the brake goes released and I take off!

Can Kirstin Dunst sign ASL?

2007-02-10T16:12:00.000Z

ASL?

...or messing around, not even connected to sign language?

You know Kirstin Dunst who starred in Spider-man 1 & 2, she is so gorgeous! I was not talking about her looks here, when I saw this animation, I was always wondering if she is using ASL or not. I am an ASL user (as my 3rd language) so I noticed what she might sign. For those of you BSL/non-BSL users don't know ASL, I translate for you - 'Give me a space, I will see you in the afteroon!' I see it as humour but is it serious? Or she just gestures or messing around for a laugh?

Where is Deaf Blogs?!

2007-02-09T18:52:00.000Z

Problem with Deaf Blogs links... must be someone (could be ghost of Milan 1880!) hacked it!

magnumphotos.com

2007-02-08T15:21:00.000Z

All photos are wonderful! I am dreaming of joining this well-known agency in the world! Lucky for new photographers!

magnum

UCLAN's iSLanDS

2007-02-07T17:10:00.000Z

Preston is set to become a centre of excellence for deaf students.

The prospects of deaf scholars will be boosted by the opening of the UK's first international centre of excellence in deaf studies at the University of Central Lancashire.The International Centre for Sign Language and Deaf Studies (iSLanDS) will be staffed primarily by deaf academics and researchers.

They will research and record the many global sign languages for the first time and develop programmes to offer deaf students in developing countries the same higher education opportunities as UK deaf students.

more

Strong and straightforward

2007-02-07T16:39:00.000Z

This quote is strong and straightforward.

"Hearing administrators who have the power to fire or place a great deal of negative pressure on those few deaf people who push the issues. They are directly backed up by overwhelming numbers of ignorant hearing faculty and indirectly by 'status quo' deaf staff who flee from all confrontation. Why? It is easy to label those two or three or strongly opinionated deaf people as angry troublemakers and the rest of the deaf staff do not want to be seen in the same way. And that is how you get a Deaf Community flooded with Crab Theory and backstabbers."

by J.Stein (USA)

The Corollaries of Internalized Oppression in Deaf Education

2007-02-07T16:31:00.000Z

Very interesting blog!

The Corollaries of Internalized Oppression in Deaf Education

One of our regular blog contributors requested that this article be posted. Enjoy!

The Corollaries of Internalized Oppression in Deaf Education
By Patricia Raswant

Some school administrators, teachers, and hearing parents with deaf children often stigmatize members of the Deaf Community. They look at members in the Deaf Community as dimwits, backstabbing, deceptive troublemakers, SSI recipients, name-calling, spreading nasty rumors and other humiliating terms. Sadly, they do not consider well-educated deaf and hard of hearing adults to be their equals in educational decision-making. They refuse to acknowledge the cause of their “holier than thou” attitude is the product of deaf adults as dimwits, backstabbing, deceptive troublemakers, SSI recipients, name-calling, spreading nasty rumors and other crushing terms. A Total Communication system that graduates most deaf students at a third or fourth grade reading level is the consequence of internalized oppression in deaf educational establishments, which keeps the Deaf community on the fringes of our society.

more

Didn't take a notice...

2007-02-07T16:20:00.000Z

I watched See Hear without subtitles last week, I didn't realise that woman signed in Italian Sign Language (similar to ASL) which I completely understand what she was saying!

I still enjoy signing ASL and Guyanese Sign Language! At the moment, I need alot of catching up on Czech Sign language!

Stop the bug!

2007-02-07T16:00:00.000Z

I laughed so much over this video! Tom is a great actor and comedian! check this video!

Stop the bug!

Thank an educator lately (how oralism can be bad)

2007-02-07T15:52:00.000Z

Emotional story from a Deaf philiosopher! Check it out!

I hope I am not the only one, but I cannot think of whom to thank for my education from K-12, except my parents. I grew up oral and never learned sign language until I went to college. I am classified as someone with a profound hearing loss, yet I was prodded to wear auditory aids the entire time, as if I can really hear and understand what people say, when a microphone is attached to the person. In reality, I got by because of lipreading, and if it were too tiring to lipread during the entire day, I would simply look down and teach myself from the book. Perhaps the teachers thought I could hear well enough that I can take my eyes off them and read the book. It is because of my fear of failure that I made sure I knew what was going on, try to decipher what I was supposed to learn from the writing on the blackboard to the reading in the book. How can I give credit to any teacher growing up? I don’t remember making a connection with any teacher and I was too proud to ask for help in class. At times, it seemed like the only reason I was in school was just to learn how to speak better, as if my entire career depended on it.

more

Playing their blind card

2007-02-06T14:57:00.000Z

12, and Looking after the Family. In the UK, children as young as eight are often asked to act as grown-ups, taking care of relatives who are unable to look after themselves. Channel 4 at 21:00 on Monday 5th February 2007

I think both mother and father are so lazy. They had an excuse for being blind because they can't look after their own children properly. They decided to have more children is fine with me, their decision. BUT they can't expect two of their older children to look younger children all!

I think those parent are playing their blind card. Maybe they were not raised up to be enough independent and deal with their blindness.

In my view, social workers wouldn't need to take their children but their parent had to go to parent skill training for the blind if there are one.

This programme (narrotor) said they can't work just because of their 'disabilitiy'. Helen Keller who was Deaf-blind and fluent ASL, worked and supported within Deaf-blind community, showing that she was hard working and determined comparing to those lazy parent!

I understand the father has been through his tough childhood (his late father used him as a punchbag) but its no excuse. If he easily can pour his can of lager in a glass, so he can fed a milk bottle then.

Im really worried about this young girl who is suicudal and very unhappy. She is supposed to be 18 but she is really 10! That's so unfair!

I think this programme should show 2 blind parents, one with well-moral and other with less morals. Showing 2 examples of blind parents, would be good awareness for all audience otherwise its misunderstoodable. Im sure there are different of blind societies such as Deafhood.

Interesting message from a Blind mum: RNIB

I am a blind mum, but my daughter isn't really old enough for me to haveexperienced the situations you are talking about, she will be four next week. I know a lot of blind parents are unwilling to rely on their child's sight to help them out, they feel it's not fair on the child. I do, to some extent, agree with this, but when my daughter showed such an interest in what was in all the tins and packages we bought from the supermarket, how could I quell her enthusiasm?!! So, she is very helpful with identifying products I can't tell by touch, I.E. what's in tins!

Hope that helps.
Paula xx

Deaf world news

2007-02-05T14:54:00.000Z

Independent Appeal: Trampled because he could not hear

For the deaf children of Gaza, disability has a new and perilous dimension amid the fighting. Jan McGirk reports from Jabalia on the work of the Welfare Association, which provides specialised care

Jihad Kafarneh finally cracked a smile yesterday. It was only the second time in three weeks, since the siege of Gaza was at its height. The 14-year-old Palestinian, who was born deaf in Beit Hanoun town, was a silent witness to the Israeli army's pre-dawn attack on a neighbour's four-storey house last month. Blood puddled an inch deep in the lane where 17 members of the al-Athamna family lay dying, blasted apart by tank shells.
more

Ajay

2007-02-05T14:34:00.000Z

Deaf Guyanese boy Ajay's mother told a story about him. Summer 2006

Ajay Ramjass will be 14 years olds in September of this year. He was born deaf. As a small child he had surgery to remove a cataract from his left eye. The surgery left him blind in that eye. Ajay has a brother Zack, who is one year younger than him. The boys are being raised by their mother Veta Singh. (Their father is a heavy drinker and has over the years, treated Veta and the boys very badly. He does not contribute financially to the support of his sons.)

Veta and her sons are living with Veta’s mother and step-father in No.73 Village, Upper Corentyne, Guyana. Veta is looking for a property in the village to rent as her mother’s house is very small. Since November 2005 Veta has been employed as a cleaner at the sugar company (Guysuco) at Skeldon which is approximately six villages (six miles) away from her home. Ajay spends his time with his grandmother at home, visiting folks from his church and playing cricket when the other village children come home from school. He has not attended formal government school since he left Primary School two years ago. His jobs at home include helping his grandmother look after the ducks and chickens and the vegetable garden. Ajay enjoys repairing bicycles. An older man in the church has taught him how to strip and put back together bikes and he has a good knack for this. Maybe it is a skill that will help he earn money when he is older.

At the age of 4 years Ajay attended the local government Nursery School. This was not too difficult for him to cope with as it was fun for him to colour in and be with other young children. Veta said “he would just copy and colour but he was happy there”. From the age of 7-11 he attended the local government Primary School. This was a terribly traumatic time for him and for his mother. For the first two years he did not want to go to school. The children beat him and took his pencils and books from him. Veta went to school with Ajay every day; sometimes she had to stay for the half the day. He would often come home from school with no cap, no bag, and no books because the other children bullied him so badly. When his younger brother, Zack, started school things became a little better for Ajay as he could play with Zack at recess. During the last two years of Primary School, he began to enjoy it more as he made a few friends.

Ajay

Jennifer met Ajay during his last year at school when he was eleven years old. He did not pass his end-of-Primary School exam (Common Entrance) so there was no Secondary placement for him. In effect he had received no education at all because in the government schools there is no provision whatsoever for children with special needs. Teachers are not professionally equipped with the skills and there are no resources for particular needs. The nearest Special Needs School with a provision for deaf pupils is one and half hours away by minibus, a journey that would cost GU$1800 return for his mum and him each day. This is more than the daily wage of a cleaner. Ajay just occupied a seat in the classroom and copied from the blackboard not understanding any of it.

Jennifer was a newcomer to Guyana in 2004, accompanying her husband who is Construction Manager for a new sugar factory in Skeldon. Jennifer and her husband became members of the church in No.73 Village and Jennifer began to teach Sunday school. Ajay was in her class. She was concerned to see that this young boy had no form of communication and that he was illiterate. Jennifer asked Veta is she and Ajay and his (hearing) brother Zack would like to learn American Sign Language (ASL – the sign language used in Guyana). They were so excited and eager to begin, that Jennifer, teaching ASL to herself from books, began to meet with them once a week in their home in April 2004. Soon the Sunday school children heard of the ‘class’ and asked if it could be held at the church so they could learn with Ajay.

The class at church, also held after school once a week, began with about 15 children plus Ajay, Veta and Jennifer. It has grown to 25 children plus Bibi also a Sunday school teacher as an additional helper with a very strong interest in learning and teaching ASL. All the children apart from Ajay are hearing and wish to learn ASL in order to be able to communicate with him. The class now incorporates a developing literacy programme as reading levels are below what would be expected for many children in Guyana. Ajay is now able to sign, read and write his own name, and with help, he can read and sign the decodable books used for the literacy programme. In all his years at school he was not even taught to recognise or write his name.

Jennifer found the biggest hurdle to overcome was getting Ajay to respond. He had spent all those years in classrooms where a response was never required of him. She knew that Ajay understood his new language but he just sat, taking it all in, but not using it himself.

Then Janis (the VSO Literacy volunteer with the Department of Education in the same Region) introduced Ashton and Steve to this little ‘Sign School’ as they call themselves.

The day these two young British VSOs came to meet Ajay was the day that still fills his mother’s eyes with tears when she speaks of it. That day a light went on in Ajay’s life. He began to speak to Ashton and Steve in sign language and he has not looked back. For the first time in his life he had role models to look up to: young men who were just like him! His mother recalls how his little chest puffed out when he stood next to them. They made him feel proud of himself, gave him courage, confidence and a hope for the future. They gave the same things to his mother.

Ashton teachs ASL to Ajay and hearing children

Ashton and Steve became Ajay’s friends, his buddies. They tried to visit the class from their base in Georgetown, once a month. This is a 5 hour minibus journey with a ferry crossing half way. When Ajay knew they were coming he bathed and put on his best ‘church’ clothes – their visit was so special to him.

Jennifer has seen the progress he is making and has told Ashton and Steve what a wonderful thing they have given Ajay in making time in their schedule to travel that distance, to help and encourage him; also to help and encourage her as she learns ASL in order to teach the children.

Ashton and Steve said they were amazed that Ajay’s community, all of his Sunday school friends, aged from 5 – 14 years, were learning with him. They have never seen anything like that before. That did not realise the extent of the impact they had had not only on Ajay’s life, but on his mother and the community.

Ashton and Steve leave Guyana in August and this little ‘Sign School’ is hoping that two the new VSOs for the deaf, who will arrive in Guyana in September, will be able to continue to support them with monthly visits. They appreciate the input and sense of ‘belonging’ to a wider deaf community that this link has given them. Maybe the ‘Sign School’ can even have their own VSO for the deaf!

Bibi and some of the children want to learn more ASL so they can teach ASL and become translators. They have been learning from Jennifer but they could attend a course in Georgetown, or a trained ASL teacher could come and do a course in Region 6. Another person that influenced Bibi and some of the hearing children (especially Shaminie and Sherifa who are both 11), was Monty: the Guyanese ASL / English interpreter who accompanied Ashton and Steve on their first visit from Georgetown. Teachers from the local government schools could also receive professional training in how to cater for children in their classes who are deaf or who have other special educational needs.

Jennifer and Veta hope that deaf children currently ‘hidden’ in the community and their parents will come to the ‘Sign School’ and learn to sign and communicate and read and write. Some parents are put off bringing the children because the classes are held in a Christian church building. There is in fact, a 9 year old deaf boy in the same village whose parents are Hindu and they don’t want go into the Christian building. Ajay has taken it upon himself to teach this younger boy the sign language that he has already learnt. Ajay has an overwhelming gentleness and concern for others. He is always aware if someone is hurting. This is an extraordinary character trait for a boy who has had so much going against him.

Ajay's families & friends

The Sign School will now be meeting at Bibi’s house, but they hope to find a new venue soon and to invite the local TV station to come and do a news report. Publicity about the class will hopefully bring more deaf children and their parents forward to join the class and enable them to experience the joy and pride in communicating and the sense of ‘belonging’ that Ajay has experienced.

Ajay’s mother sums this feeling up the best: “Ajay is the happiest boy when he knows today is the day Ashton and Steve are coming to the ‘Sign School’!” Everyone is excited about the prospect of their ‘Sign School’ growing bigger and providing opportunities for persons in this part of Guyana who are deaf.

Joke: A teacher of the Deaf dies and goes to Heaven

2007-02-05T14:15:00.000Z

A teacher of the Deaf dies and goes to Heaven

When she gets there, she meets Peter at the pearly white gates. Peter says to her, "Welcome to Heaven. Let me give you an orientation first."

So, Peter takes her to some beautiful mansions. The teacher asks, "Who lives here in these beautiful houses?"

"These are for doctors. They did a lot of good on Earth so they get a nice mansion," replied Peter.

Peter takes the teacher to some more mansions. These were more magnificent than the first.
"Wow, who lives here?"

"These mansions are for social workers. They did a lot of good on Earth but didn't make a lot of money so they get a better house."

Peter took the teacher to some more mansions. These were the most gorgeous homes she had ever seen. They had huge columns, well-manicured lawns, beautiful stained glass windows; the works!

"These are the most beautiful homes I have ever seen," exclaimed the teacher. "Who lives here?!"

"Teacher of the Deaf live here." said Peter, "They did much good on Earth and received very little money so they get the best houses in all of Heaven."

"But where are all of the teachers?" inquired the teacher.

Peter answered, "Oh, they'll be back soon. They're all in Hell at an in-service."

My Deaf identity.. how?

2007-02-04T18:51:00.000Z

I didn't know what Deaf identity was because I haven't been into Deaf commmunity very much. Apart from PHU school, I always with hearing community such as Scouts, football club, hearing friends. I knew I was different from them because of hearing and communication. Honestly I really thought hearing people are automatically clever than Deaf people. I didn't believe Deaf people can become a doctor, social worker, teacher, pilot, manager. I didn't remember that I used BSL in front of Scouts members or football players because I was ashamed. You may be surprised but I sometime wish I could speak like my Deaf friends was once oral users (they are now flunet BSL users and happy being Deaf, unfortunately their English is much worser than mine).

I remember one of my Deaf friends blamed me for their poor English because I innocently taught him BSL when I was 12. I apparently blamed BSL for failing English. Even my hearing teacher explained that I should speak more than using BSL. I was thinking, she was right, I should speak but I was scared because I really enjoyed using BSL at mainstream with CSW which was only for me, not 4 other deaf oral students. But I was forced to use SSE which I was very uncomfortable. We used SSE for GCSE - oral English. They signed quite faster than me. I signed SSE very slowly because I was very uncomfortable. But I passed better result than them! Wow! Even I passed oral German better too, I used my voice! Actually I was so shitting myself because I didnt ususally use my voice in front of hearing people. But it was good result! Even I was rarely taught to speak which was good!

I was bullied by hearing children like they were making funny faces (tongue in cheeks), silly gestures and shouting at my back, turn around and noticed them, they laughed and thumb up. Other pupls saw them and told me what they were doing. I was really hurted but I wasn't standing up for myself. I never told my teacher, knowing them they wouldn't believe me. Why? because I always got into trouble. One worst thing happened to me was I was verbally racist abused by a pupil boy saying 'black b*stards'. My hearing friend told me that. So I head-butted that boy and he fell. He complained to the teacher. She asked me why and I explained but between the teacher and a pupils' long conversation to leave me out. She punished only me not that boy. I cried and cried alot because CSW wasn't there. There were always misunderstood when it comes to communication. Also hearing pupils laughed at me because my English was poor, maybe it was a nerve thing but it knocked my confidence down.

When I finished school, I came into proper Deaf world was Derby college (it was Open days, I chosen Bradford college) I met alot of Deaf people who uses flunet BSL and very happy. I rarely hugged hearing people because we were fake friends or not talking alot. But I hugged alot of Deaf people like family. I felt so good. Some of Deaf people told story everything about Deaf people's achievement that I didn't believed. I thought they might lie because I really thought Deaf people who speak are better than Deaf BSL users.

That's how I realised I like being myself when I was with Deaf people (Deaf community. I always was patient when communication broken down with hearing community because I was taught to not let it out. Yes I was into alot of trouble when I was younger.

When I travelled around the UK, meet Deaf people to improve my BSL quicker than before. I was much happier. I dated some of hearing girls, asked them to gather Deaf community but they were scared. I respected that but I lost fond of them. I met my exes' hearing people, it was soooooo isolation. I was unhappy. I tried to gesture alot but so tiring. I even brought my friend who were quite good at speak/lipreading but hearing easily lost patience with repeating and slow communication. What a waste learning oral education from know-how experts' advices!

Honestly I was against Deaf activism because I got the picture of riots and arrogant speaks etc. I even see any (hearing or Deaf) activist as troublemakers. But I support BSL as Deaf education are still failing without BSL, so I went to London for BSL march, so nice and calm. But the government igroned that. We need more media attention. Most of Deaf activists blocked the road, I was thinking, no way I can do it because of my skin, I easily can be arrested. But a few years, I joined a groups to block the road for recognising BSL in the UK because I started to broaden my mind. Other protest, I blocked the road opposite Westminister. I was shitting myself but I felt so right. It was non-violent. So I am a Deaf activist now, I don't believe in violent protest. Deaf Power Now

I was about 17, I was shocked with myself when I read Deaf people's excellent written English, exact level as hearing's written skill but not speaking. That's how I realised oralism was not good. I looked back, I agreed with teachers about the oral education, I blamed myself alot for not using oral. I was foolish. At the moment, I see alot of oral users (hearing wannabe) look down at us, Im sorry for them because we are only human.

I started to broaden my mind with Deaf history like Milan 1880 and oppression etc.

It wasn't until I got to Preston university that I finally realised what Deaf identity is. It's as if I opened up to myself and discovered what was missing. From the past, I never looked back and I really love being in the Deaf community and us being together like a family.

At the moment, I still am self-taught - written English and different sign languages because Deaf education failed me by hearing teachers with no knowledge of BSL called SSE, lack of Deaf awareness and not enough Deaf role models.

At the moment, I see many Deaf children like me in West Yorkshire.

That's why I want them to be proud of themsevles, not negative thought about BSL, Deafness or Deafhood. It can lead them to be stubborn attitude toward BSL.

Deaf identity is not just about the militant mentality, it is about individual.

I am soo proud to have a Deaf identity!

My a**e!

2007-02-03T20:46:00.000Z

I bought a Deaf magazine Sign Matters yesterday, apparently it cheered me up.

Only one person support BSL may be not enough comparing to the population or 'ratio' but he is very well-known to the hearing community in the UK. Sign Matters (Feb 2007) asked the outspoken Ricky Tomlinson from The Royle Family.

'How did Ricky feel about BSL not being part of the UK National Curriculum?'
Ricky said "I think that learning BSL is a MUST". It should be a 2nd language as you never know it could help save a life." BSL should be taught in schools, that way hearing and Deaf can communicate on equal terms. I think it's sad that the government of this country has money to spend on war and killing but not enough to teach children and ensure they get access to the Education the have a right to"

Showing that he is so positive! See, see!

'We asked Ricky if he was able to use BSL himself? "Sadly no, however my mother once dated a young Deaf man before marrying my father and she herself could sign and my daughter, Katie has learned stage 1 sign language"

WOW! I would like to see Ricky's fans tempted to find out about BSL!

But am I tempted to support Liverpool? my a**e! (His very infamous phase - 'My a**e at end!)

Ovais Khan

2007-02-01T12:15:00.000Z

Many happy returns for your birthday, my old mate! We are old b*stards equally! I will buy you your favourite a cup of tea at bingo..

Christine 'Coco'

2007-02-01T11:54:00.000Z

I always enjoy reading Christine's blogs. She is a Deaf-Blind Canandian woman. I learnt alot about her being Deaf-Blind and community. She signs her mind. She will be a Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) volunteer soon, She will be working with the Deaf-Blind community in Birnin-Kebbi, Nigeria, West Africa. I seen/met a few Deaf-Blind people who stand up for themselves. My favourite blog of her is Denial. She is an inspirational.

Googled: Ian Wright v David Beckham

2007-01-31T17:40:00.000Z

Ian Wright: 2,090,000
David Beckham: 4,510,000

Oh! Never mind, Ian is still my hero!

Googled: Graham Bell v Paddy Ladd

2007-01-31T17:37:00.000Z

Graham Bell: 5,820,000
Paddy Ladd: 57,800

Aww dammit!

Googled: sign language

2007-01-31T17:33:00.000Z

sign language: 256,000,000

Cool!

Deaf power!

2007-01-30T16:53:00.000Z

Remember the rallying cry for the Black Power movement in the 60's and 70's? Say it loud! I'm Black, I'm proud!

The focus of black power advocates was not integration or any other single strategy. Rather, it was improving the status of black people. Same as Deaf power.

Sign it openly! I'm Deaf, I'm proud!

Googled: hearing impaired v Deaf

2007-01-30T16:34:00.000Z

hearing impaired - 3.400,000
Deaf - 31,700,000

Wicked!

Nalini's presentation at GDC's 1st anniversary

2007-01-29T16:11:00.000Z

An email from Nalini Persaud, Guyana, South America

NALINI PERSAUD DEAF CLUB ANNIVERSARY PRESENTAION SUNDAY 28th JAN 2007

Hi my name is nalini persaud and i am deaf. It is wonderfull that we can come here today as friend and family. today I am very happy that we celebrate our first anniversary as a club . It is the first time that we have seen a club like this in GUYANA. Many years ago it was very hard for deaf people to come and meet and share together becaues there was no club .

I love when deaf people meet becaues eveyone is alway nice and firndly. Today is very spcial. It helps to make both the deaf and hearing understand that deaf people are a very important part of GUYANA ;s Community. And now I welcome the hearing here with us. I hope that we will continue to get the support from everyone that we can have a deaf club for many years to come , not only where we can come and meet each other but also where we can learn and be more a part of the normal everyday life in guyana. I will like to see a club where we have smart, educated people maybe even doctors and scientists.

I Know that that this is very possible, I have seen it in other countries. Maybe one day soon we can have our own builid for our deaf club. it would be nice to come to a club where there are computer and televisions and book like in a real world. I know that we just started the deaf club but it is good for us to dream of big things and helpful thing that we can all grow in the club.

Thanks for me to speak here today. To all deaf people, please stand up. HAND UP!!! thank you very much. Please you can see email open reading long time, yesterday was sunday, big good deaf people to the party for food and drink cake to nice people there!!!

YOUR FRIEND SPCIAL TRICIA and two children to come deaf club in felx gym. I know you are happy for deaf club one years ANNIVERSARY.

I MISS YOU ALOT NALINI AND NAVIN & RAVIN LOVE YOU VERY MUCH.