Customer Reviews

Deaf Again

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Despite the wishes of two sophisticated Deaf parents that their hard-of-hearing son be educated in all-hearing schools, he learns their happy secret anyway -- that there's a whole lot more to life and doing well in a world prejudiced against the deaf than pretending to hear when you can't. With humor and gentle self-deprecation, Mark Drolsbaugh, a Deaf guidance counselor at the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf, exposes the isolation and relentless humiliations that plague a lone hard-of-hearing child in the regular schools. Once he embraces the Deaf culture of his parents, he then returns to the "hearing side" of his mother's family with the ability to help them understand and accept deafness with a love and pride that was not possible before.

This book is a must for anyone who either knows or has a hard-of-hearing child in the regular schools, but is a fun read for anyone, whether conversant about the Deaf community or not.

After reading this book I must say that it is a great introductory piece for ASL students. Hard facts about the loss of identity many deaf children face when discouraged to sign (essentially, to effectively communicate) are wonderfully brought to light. Those who wish to understand what Oral Schools are about and the detrimant they cause I encourage to read this book. Those interested in teaching in Residential Schools for the Deaf are also urged. This book gives one a feel for the isolation felt by many deaf people. An easy read and an interesting one.

Mark Drolsbaugh tells a fascinating true story that demonstrates how a person's minority culture can be almost obliterated with the best of intentions by those in the majority. His story demonstrates that society today still will not believe the needs of a minority group, even when they express their needs in quite understandable words (signs). The beauty of this work, however, is that it is a happy story with no animosity toward those who would have Mark be someone other than who he really is. Mark's revelations about discovering his true culture, his successes which have followed his discovery, and his fulfillment as a Deaf person could be the story of so many other Deaf individuals. This book should be a MUST read for any hearing parent whose child has been identified with a hearing loss. The professional working with children who are Deaf or hard of hearing (especially those with prelingual hearing loss) should read this. It will provide them with a valuable insight into the life of a Deaf or hard of hearing child.

Don't get me wrong. Drolsbaugh does a great job telling his story of being a part of the Deaf culture and the hearing world. When he felt frustrated, I felt like I was going through it too. He's able to put you in his shoes and recreate his feelings about finding his place. I thought he did a great job with that.

Maybe I'm just not big on the journal-style readings. I felt like Drolsbaugh would start on one topic and then switch over to another really quick and then jump back to his original topic. I found it difficult to follow at times when he moved around a bit. When I journal, I write whatever comes to mind. Whatever I have down is down. I felt like that was what Drolsbaugh had put together, which is great for some readers but not for me. (I have trouble reading Anne Frank's diary even.)

As a hearing person, I found many parts of Drolsbaugh's book to be very sad. I felt like his message was, "The hearing world sucks and they don't understand us - I know this because I live in both worlds." Perhaps I misunderstood Drolsbaugh. I just felt a little bit sad inside while reading his book. I don't like when one of my identities gets clumped together - not sure if that makes any sense. For example, I'm American and I don't like it when I hear comments like, "All Americans are stuck-up and like to bully the rest of the world" because it's not true. Have you MET all Americans? Same with the hearing world. I don't think it sucks living in the hearing world or the Deaf world. Hearing is one of my identities. It makes me who I am too just as much as being Deaf makes Drolsbaugh who HE is. I don't think it's fair to put down one group/population, even if that group is the dominant one. As a person of color, I don't claim that all white people are racist and want to put us down.

Anyway, now I'm just rambling. The book is a pretty good read, but I didn't like the style of writing. It jumped around a lot and it took me a while to finish. Drolsbaugh's journey is quite an amazing one and I'm glad I was able to be a part of it.

As a parent of hard of hearing children, I found this book to be very enlightening of deaf culture. Mr. Drolsbaugh tells this story in the first person and explains some of the obstacles of his life and being deaf. I had a much better understanding of deaf culture after reading this book and have recommended it to several people who are surrounded by deaf and/or hard-of-hearing children and adults. Even if you don't purchase this book, it would be well worth checking it out from your local library.

I have read many books written by the Deaf or parents of the Deaf. This book is outstanding! All parents of Deaf or Hard of Hearing children must read this book. Mark Drolsbaugh shares his experiences being forced into the hearing world by well intended but misguided professionals and his hearing grandparents. He was even denied the Deaf culture of his own Deaf parents. He honestly explains the advantages and disadvantages of being educated in an auditory/oral environment. As an adult, he experiences joy and relief in finding his true idenity. No one but those who possess the personal insight of being Deaf or Hard of Hearing can related to these sensitive and complicated issues that require in depth understanding. The cochlear implant is not a quick fix, one-way ticket to the hearing world.

It was a very well written book. I could relate to the story since I am Hearing impaired. It was a fast read. You will enjoy this book!

I'm in my 3rd semester of ASL in college. I was required to read this book for the course. It's a fast read and an interesting story. I'd suggest it to anyone about to have childen, those who already do, and anyone interested in learning about deaf culture.

First of all, why is this book selling for so much? The cover price is $16.95! I felt ripped off because my college bookstore sold it to me for $17.50.
OK, about the book- it truely touched me. While reading this book, you are not only exploring the feelings and thoughts that the deaf community goes through, but your own reactions to them. If you are like me, I know you will not feel the same about deaf people once you read this! I no longer feel sorry for people who cannot hear, and am embarassed for feeling pitty for them. I wish I was as strong willed and determined as this author!

Don't get me wrong, I love Amazon. However, this book is available new in ANY BOOKSTORE for $16.95. There must be some kind of mistake.