Hi, welcome here and I hope you're all well.
Today's alp an exciting video, I'm going to film...
Do all deaf people think the same?
So I will FaceTime my beautiful deaf friends...
Hello!
To ask them deaf-related questions on a deaf topic
to see if everyone's opinion is the same for each question.
Um... it'll be interesting to see if their answers will be similar or different?
Let's find out.
Let's go!
My name is Benny, obviously.
My name is Jemma (smile), welcome back to my channel ha.
My name is Nikita (curly).
It depends on which deaf person, maybe if they grew up with a deaf family who they would look up to,
a deaf child with a hearing family might struggle with their deaf identity because they're not used to it,
they may feel like they're the only one who is deaf.
In my experience, I used to be embarrassed that I'm deaf,
I never liked using sign language in public because I felt like I was the only one who was using it,
with all the other people staring at me, it made me feel so uncomfortable.
Nah, I don't have any serious struggles with my deaf identity
because growing up I looked up to most of my deaf family from Wales.
I looked up to them and they don't have any problem with being deaf, all they do is hard work,
they showed me that if they can do it then I can.
What I've learnt from them, being apart of the deaf world, I haven't struggled,
but the only struggle I have ever experienced is when it comes to hearing groups,
I don't mind being put into the hearing world, but the problem is, they speak too fast
I can lipread yes, but it's overwhelming when they talk fast
which made me feel behind and it puts me off easily,
because I normally can do anything but when I'm trying to do it for them it's just difficult.
Really, in my experience, I don't struggle that much,
but the only things I've struggled with is relying on lipreading and the job, that's it.
Oh yeah, I found my deaf identity a bit of a struggle,
but mostly I'm ok because I have a deaf sister.
So she makes me feel like I'm not the only one as we went through the same experience.
So I don't really see any problem or struggle with my deaf identity.
That's funny cos I was thinking about this a couple of days ago,
sometimes I was thinking, how the hell does my mind understand what I'm signing?
When I make words in my thoughts, I actually sign them and it understands me.
Also, when I'm sleeping and having a dream, I actually sign in them, obviously, I won't understand the voice.
Oh, like for an example with mental health normally people hear a voice in their head but I see sign instead,
It's hard to explain but it's weird to think about that.
This is a really good question, I've never thought about it,
but in my thoughts, I think I hear speaking not signing... I think so.
Basically, I see a sentence in my thought, I don't really see sign language,
so when I think of a sentence in my mind, I would sign it in person if you know what I mean? Yeah.
Well yes and no... both, it depends on people,
I grew up using SSE (Sign Supported English) both sign and speak with my hearing and deaf friends,
it depends on people's personality if they are similar to me, where I easily can fit into and share good vibes,
it would be easy to make new friends.
If the person is really hard to make as a new friend and make it even awkward, it would be difficult.
So it depends on people really.
Yes, it's difficult because there are lots of barriers with communication being easy for it to breakdown,
like for example, if you go to a mainstream school/college or whatever,
if you want to make a new friend with hearing people, it's hard for me to communicate with them.
Like if I have an interview, I gotta have an interpreter as it's hard to communicate with hearing people,
and make a new friend with them either,
but with deaf people, it's easy to make a new friend as you two get along understanding each other like a family.
Jazzy: That's right.
Also hearing people who know sign language, you would feel fit with them, so yea.
50/50.
I'm giving you an example of when I was at college with a hearing group,
I found it really hard to make friends with them.
Personally, in the deaf world, I'm really confident, openminded and outgoing,
but with hearing people, I found it really hard as I overthink very easily,
like if I said something to them and they didn't understand, it puts me off easily.
But on the other side, at the club when drinking...
Jazzy: I knew you'd mention this haha!
When it comes to the club, it must be the drink that makes me confident and not overthink, what's going to happen next?
It's funny when it comes to drinking, I find it really easy to get flow with hearing people,
and we always have a good time no matter what.
Because when people drink, we communicate so easily using body language and gestures.
When I'm sober and was with hearing friends at college it was really difficult.
I think I'm very laid back when it comes to hearing friends,
or if I make a little mistake, I easily avoid their eye contact, I would be like shit, I shouldn't have said that.
I think when I'm sober I overthink easily but when it comes to drinking, I'm fine.
There are some things I can't do because I'm deaf yeah,
for example, I want to work as a police officer but I can't because of my deafness.
So... I feel like it's stopping me from doing what I want to do, it's just hard... so yeah.
It's disappointing to some deaf people who find it hard to find a different path.
I've experienced it, from now I don't like hairdressing,
but from ages ago what has put me off from becoming a hairdresser?
When I was doing a client's hair, I was behind her trying to communicate by writing on paper,
but during the hair cutting/dying colour, to me, I'm such a chatty girl,
but when I was doing her hair, I realised I can't talk.
Because when I was doing her hair by holding something, I can't sign.
The lady was so quiet which made me feel so awkward.
Jazzy: Oh my god, same.
Nikita: It just felt so awkward, she sometimes gave me that look...I was like... do I need to say something?
It was really hard for me honestly, that's what put me off in the end.
Some people are succeeding in becoming a hairdresser,
but when it comes to being silent, I get awkward so easily.
Oh yeah, definitely! Jobs, like I wanted to become a police officer or an investigator,
or something similar to that but I can't cos of my "deafness".
I don't know why they won't allow deaf people to work for them, it's really annoying!
So we have to put up with finding a different path that allows deaf people to do this hobby or work for them.
Honestly, like I had a long day at college and I was too tired to communicate with them.
If a hearing person wanted to say something to me, I would get my interpreter to translate our conversation,
but when it comes to a personal conversation, nah definitely not.
I also feel like it's hard when I use my interpreter as they would look at them and not make eye contact with me,
it's not like it's impossible for me to understand what they say,
they just needed to make an effort with communicating, like using gestures and then I wouldn't need my interpreter,
but it would be nice if hearing people make an effort to communicate with me,
the interpreter would get laid back which I like.
It's not like I will bring my interpreter everywhere with me, to shops, funfair, to the club.
In my opinion hearing people should learn sign language which means I wouldn't need an interpreter.
Yes and no, both.
Because if I have an interpreter with me I would feel relieved, not worrying about a breakdown of communication.
But if I have a personal conversation, I won't want my interpreter to know like...
they have to be professional and keep their boundaries,
but at the same time, I don't really have any problem communicating without an interpreter,
because we will always find different ways, if we have a breakdown in communication, like notes or paper, writing.
I don't really want to rely on interpreters, like please can you help me? I dunno what to do! lol.
Well having an interpreter is useful with a job interview, Access To Work and things like that,
but if you want to go to a pub and communicate with hearing people, no we don't need an interpreter, like no.
Jazzy: Imagine.
Jemma: It's going to be awkward, hearing people would be like wtf?
Jazzy: Especially when it comes to personal conversation.
Jemma: It's going to be awkward.
So here's all the answers from deaf people, it's been really interesting having a chat with them.
I wanted to say a big thank you to my deaf friends who took part in this video.
So yeah, I really hope you enjoyed this video and if you are new to this channel make sure to subscribe.
Let me know in the comments below what you want to see on my channel next?
Thanks for watching, bye!
Bye!