If there is ever a two-word combination that I have to hate the most in the entire world…it’s HEARING-IMPAIRED.
The word doesn’t even exist in the dictionary. So, I decided to see what “impair” means, for my sanity. Impair means “to make worse, to damage.” There ya go!
Am I damaged? No. Am I worse for the wear? No. Is my hearing damaged? No. I simply cannot hear. I am deaf. Deaf. Deef.
I should take out to the woodshed whoever though of the word “hearing-impaired.” They’d get a good lickin’.
Why am I so peeved today? Because the Washington Post — the top newspaper in this city, used the two offensive words. (Gallaudet football).
C’mon guys…you’re in the city that spawned the Deaf Mecca. If not now, you should at least have known it’s offensive to call Deaf “hearing-impaired.” in 1988.
In 1988, you’d have faced a lynching mob. Now, you may face a few angry letters.
Using “hearing-impaired” is like calling a Black person a n*****.
Sure…there are some deaf people out there who prefer to call themselves “hearing-impaired” rather than deaf.
But when it comes to calling myself “damaged”, no thanks.
I’d rather be called D E A F.
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1 Comment
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AMEN! i absolutely detest that terminology. i am now hearing impared. I AM DEAF!!!! because i cannot hear does not make me less of a woman that a hearing person. I would never trade my deafness. not for the world. That is an offensive term and should be banned. rather like the word f@#$, it is simply RUDE!!!!!