What is Wrong with the Use of these Terms:"Deaf-mute", "Deaf and dumb", or "Hearing-impaired"?

From the online web site of the National Association of the Deaf814 Thayer Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20910-4500

- http://www.nad.org ~ NADinfo@nad.org

Deaf and hard of hearing people have the right to choose what they wish to be called, either as a group or on an individual basis. Overwhelmingly, deaf and hard of hearing people prefer to be called "deaf" or "hard of hearing". Nearly all organizations of the deaf use the term "deaf and hard of hearing", and the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) is no exception. The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) voted in 1991 to use "deaf and hard of hearing" as an official designation.

Yet there are many people who persist in using terms other than "deaf" and "hard of hearing". The alternative terms are often seen in print, heard on radio and television, and picked up in casual conversations all over. Let's take a look at the three most-used alternative terms.

Deaf and Dumb -- A relic from the medieval English era, this is the granddaddy of all negative labels pinned on deaf and hard of hearing people. The Greek philosopher, Aristotle, pronounced us "deaf and dumb", because he felt that deaf people were incapable of being taught, of learning, and of reasoned thinking. To his way of thinking, if a person could not use his/her voice in the same way as hearing people, then there was no way that this person could develop cognitive abilities. (Source: Deaf Heritage, by Jack Gannon, 1980)

In later years, "dumb" came to mean "silent". This definition still persists, because that is how people see deaf people. The term is offensive to deaf and hard of hearing people for a number of reasons. One, deaf and hard of hearing people are by no means "silent" at all. They use sign language, lip-reading, vocalizations, and so on to communicate. Communication is not reserved for hearing people alone, and using one's voice is not the only way to communicate. Two, "dumb" also has a second meaning: stupid. Deaf and hard of hearing people have encountered plenty of people who subscribe to the philosophy that if you cannot use your voice well, you don't have much else "upstairs", and have nothing going for you. Obviously, this is incorrect, ill-informed, and false. Deaf and hard of hearing people have repeatedly proved that they have much to contribute to the society at large.

Deaf-Mute -- Another offensive term from the 18th-19th century, "mute" also means silent and without voice. This label is technically inaccurate, since deaf and hard of hearing people generally have functioning vocal chords. The problem lies with the fact that to successfully modulate your voice, you need to be able to hear your own voice. Again, because deaf and hard of hearing people use various methods of communication other than using their voices, they are not truly mute. True communication occurs when one's message is understood by others, and they can respond in kind.

Hearing-impaired -- A term much preferred by hearing people, largely because they view it as politically correct. In the mainstream society, to boldly state one's disability (e.g., deaf, blind, etc.) is somewhat rude and impolite. To their way of thinking, it is far better to soften the harsh reality by using the word "impaired" along with "visual", "hearing", and so on. "hearing-impaired" is a well-meaning word that is much-resented by deaf and hard of hearing people.

Deaf and hard of hearing people feel that the words "deaf" and "hard of hearing" are not negative in any way at all. Indeed, the deaf and hard of hearing community views "hearing-impaired" as negative, because the label focuses on what they can't do. With this label, a standard has been set: the "hearing" standard. To be anything other than "hearing" is not acceptable to the mainstream society, and deaf and hard of hearing people have failed to meet the "standard". To be fair, this is probably what hearing people did not intend to convey to deaf and hard of hearing people every time they use "hearing impaired" as a label. Deaf and hard of hearing people believe that there is nothing wrong with them, and that their culture, language, and community are just as fulfilling as the ones experienced by the mainstream society.

What's in a name? Plenty! Words and labels can have a profound effect on people. Deaf and hard of hearing people are sensitive as to how they are referred, because they have experienced being put down and disparaged by other people. They have seen their intelligence, their abilities, and their skills questioned simply because they are deaf or hard of hearing. Show your respect for deaf and hard of hearing people by refusing to use those outdated and offensive terms.

Written by Karen Idler

To: Linda Sanchez for donating the TV/VCR cart.

We were in desperate need, as the old one was falling a part. We put it to use immediately.

To: Martin Sinnott and grandson for replacing the fence around our new storage shed. It certainly looks a lot better now. They not only replaced fencing but painted it, if you haven’t seen it, take a look, it looks great.

To: All of you who have offered their financial pledges to this congregation’s ministry for 2005! Carolyn Johnson & Dennis Kalfas, Dave Goodman, Judy Vogt, Todd & Holly Feather, Pete Petersen, Renee’ Meyer & Lisa Balestrini, Cathy Schwamberger, Greg Tyler & Jim Quast, Galen Smith, Intern Pastor Jay Wilson, Maidell Kohlman, Narges, David Lowney & Jim Tutt, Michael & Karen Idler, Seth Bradley, Carol Bowyer, Denyse Curtright & Elaine Verbarg, and Karen Buxton.

To: All of you who pledged of their time and talent for 2005! Mabel Butler, Pete Petersen, Carolyn Johnson, Michael & Karen Idler, Carol Bowyer, Judy Vogt, Renee’ Meyer & Lisa Balestrini, Maidell Kohlman, Greg Tyler, Intern Pastor Jay Wilson, Galen Smith, Kim Hunt, Yolanda Grigsby, Kim Bradley, Karen Buxton, David Lowney & Jim Tutt, Holly Feather, Todd Feather, Tania Love, Denyse Curtright, Elaine Verbarg, Seth Bradley, Narges, Dave Goodman, Gary & Trudy Franzen, Dawn Zimmermann, Debby Reath and Rev. Robyn Hartwig.

Healing for: Juanita’s mother Lucita; Ali in cancer treatment; Uncle Gerry having heart problems; Dorothy Thalacker; Norm Millert following surgery; Joan Barrett’s father Ron with prostate cancer; Jeff Ranstrom with additional brain tumors recently diagnosed; Charlotte Allred; Sylva Barber; Grace Schauf; Grace Walima; Lisa Mulz’s mother, Lorna; Maxine Dickenson; Sally Thayer; Goldie’s vision; Jack; Richard, Jasper, Marie, Gerri, Linda V, Betsy & Gran; Pastor Lucy Kolin; Vidya & Derck Kalfas; Carol; for all the residents at Eskaton; Sue Sakahara; Rachel Smith.

Prayers for: Paul’s life long friend in Milwaukee and his family as they make decisions about removing life support following his massive stroke; may Randy enjoy the fulfillment of the promised Messiah; Jack; Matt & family; Michael in Iraq; Michele to find her way back to the fold; good news for Maria, Juanita’s sister, as she undergoes another biopsy; Sarah Fernandez expecting a baby; Intern Pastor Jay Wilson; the families of all who have lost their lives in the war in Iraq; Ron Raiber; Sharon Mobbs; all seeking employment; Africa; Pastor and members of Peace Lutheran Church in Grass Valley; hold Carol Hibler gently in your hands; wedding anniversary of Peg & Charlie.

Comfort & Strength for: Elaine Verbarg & sisters for peace in dealing with their mother’s recent stroke; Kim Bradley’s grandmother & her family; Tim Kreamer; Louie; Peg Gregoire; Bettye & Doug Dempster, Bettye is in advanced stages of Parkinsons Disease.

Strength & Peace for: Katie, Kelly, Beth & Chris upon Beth’s recent defrocking as a Methodist Pastor because she is in a lesbian relationship.

For discernment: regarding life changes and opportunities outside the comfort zone.

Comfort for those who grieve the death of a loved one: family and friends of Fil Vogt, Mary Jane Millert; family and congregation of Pastor Carl Pihl, Doris Bozonier, Robyn Sadowski; family and friends of Josiah, Cheryl Devol; Tania Love’s family following her grandfather’s death; Marti Fernandez’ family following her mother’s death; Paul Sutter following the death of his dear friend.

4 Michael Chinn

5 Becky Jolly

16 Barbara Thalacker

17 Grace Walima

22 David Lowney

27 Tyler Barber

29 Trevor Barber

29 Marty Wiedeman-Schultz

30 Lynne Gregoire

31 Kathleen Leander

31 Greg Tyler

Your annual report is due January 9^th

We need to update our current address directory for LCOR.

For everyone that is new or anyone that has moved, please make sure the copy of the current address directory on the clip board in the narthex is correct.

If you are not listed at all, write in your information.

Hopefully by the first of the new year a new directory will be printed for everyone.

Treasurer’s Report November 2004

Dear members and friends of LCOR:

By the time you read this in the January 2005 Spirit, we will have ended or be close to ending our 2004 financial year at LCOR. Right now, I am reporting on our progress through November 30, 2004.

I wish I had better news to report. We did not meet income projections in November and had a budget shortfall of $1,470.35. This brought our total budget shortfall to $7,238.52 through November 30, 2004.

While your parish council kept expenditures under budget by 2.61%, total income was 6.79% less than projected. Simply stated, we spent more than we received in income for the first 11 months of 2004. We started 2004 with approximately $10,805 in reserves from previous years. This was a necessary “cushion” to carry us through any rough periods. As of November 30, 2004, that “cushion” has been reduced to approximately $3,567.00. We face the future in a worse position than we entered the 2004 fiscal year.

One point I want to raise is that this shortfall was not caused by general fund expenditures to fund our Intern Pastor through November 30, 2004. All monies used to fund our Intern Pastor were from outside grants received by LCOR and our own fund raising activities within our congregation and friends.

In Christ,

Rick Knight

Treasurer LCOR

by Dennis Kalfas

Just as Advent is a prelude to Christmas, so the Prelude at 10:10 a.m. is preparation for an attitude of worship.

In this rhythm of stillness, we quiet our minds in a moment of conscious luminosity for the revelation of God’s Word and Presence.

The choir’s recent anthems, so gloriously sung, have included Ride On King Jesus for Christ the King Sunday, Lost in the Night, a Finnish folk song with the tender affirmation “Christ is Coming Soon” (Advent); How Far is The Star celebrates the victory of light over darkness and peace vanquishing the tumult of war then proclaims: “We have seen a star shining in the Heavens to announce a new-born King”. Finally, on Christmas Eve, we sang Mary’s Divine Child with Ave Maria (Bach & Gounod) and retold the story of Christ’s lowly but holy birth, of our Redeemer’s purity and glory.

Poem by George Herbert (1593-1633)

O Thou Whose glorious yet contracted light,

Wrap in Night’s mantle, stole into a manger,

Since my soul dark and brutish is Thy right,

To man, of all beasts, be not Thou a stranger.

The shepherds sing; and shall I saint be?

My God, no hymn for Thee?

Shepherd and flock shall sing, and all my powers

Out-sing the daylight hours;

Then we will chide the Sun for letting Night

Take up his place and right:

We sing one common Lord; wherefore he should

Himself the candle hold.

His beams shall cheer my breast, and both so twine,

Till ev’n His beams sing, and my music shine.