File This under "THAT SUCKS!"

[wendybeth]

BTD addressed the crux of this particular issue dead center: they do not learn life skills. Not like hearing people do, anyway. I could totally see the girl not even knowing that the train might not be able to stop, or something along those lines. People have no idea just how of human knowledge is acquired auditorily, and it's very difficult to ascertain any deficit areas unless the child is specifically tested for that. It could be that this person did not drive, and therefore didn't even receive the Driver's Ed version of 'watch out for trains!' Deaf/HOH kids are largely so very, very unworldy and ill-prepared for life, and it's not really anyone's fault- it just is. We scramble about, trying to fill the holes in Tori's auditory memory, but it's very discouraging at times.

Traci- what you said about HOH kids is true- they are shunned by both sides. I don't blame the hearing kids so much, but the Deaf community can go to hell as far as I am concerned- they should know better. Sorry, sore subject.