A skill....

Each of us has a particular set of skills that we are either endowed with or worked hard to develop them over time.

Let's start with music.

Some of us are not into music. Others are. And some truly enjoy playing their musical instruments and thrive off of that. Look at Evelyn Glennie, a world renowned professional percussionist who happens to be profoundly deaf.  Should I or others be jealous of her musical ability and skill? No. Why should you be? Why feel negative towards her just because she has a skill when others do not have such a musical skill?  Do you find yourself drifting toward negative thoughts about her musical ability as a deaf person? Why?  What about pianists such as myself or Sky Mundel who are deaf/hh? Do you find yourself feeling angry or upset towards other deaf or hard of hearing musicians as well? Why? Jealous? Conflicting feelings? Exactly what makes you harbor these negative feelings and thoughts?

There are skills we don't have when others do.

Let's look at oral speaking skill among deaf people by taking the case of Stephen Hopson who was born with a profound hearing loss who worked hard over the years growing up and into adulthood the power of speech and became known  transformational and inspirational speaker. Should you be jealous of him or harbor negative thoughts towards him because of his ability to inspire people in the audience? Why?

Kathy Buckley, a known comedienne in the comedy circuit who do these speaking stand up comedy acts who happens to be deaf/hh. Should you get angry because she choose to use her speaking skill to her audience and not sign? Why?

Trix Bruce, a known ASL story teller. Born profoundly deaf. She puts on an inspirational show about her personal challenges, learning experiences and embarrassing moments. Her goal is to give the insight of the deaf world to those who can hear and not hear and help people throughout their life journey. She acts out situations and tells stories using ASL while her partner, Kenan Pekoz, translates the ASL into captivating spoken words. Should anybody be angry about her ability to sign, and how she gets her message across? Or have negative thoughts about her particular set of skills?
No. Why should people behave like that?

If you have these certain internal angsts or negative thoughts about people who value speaking and/or listening then perhaps it'd be better for you to focus on something else for a change. If you have certain negative thoughts or angsts about Deaf people's ability to sign or express themselves through signing then perhaps its time you ought to focus on something else, too. It goes both ways here but the key is to understand that each of us is different and have particular preferences in what we do.

I've always recognized that each of us, deaf, hard of hearing or hearing people, has a particular set of skills that we are endowed with. And deservedly and rightfully be proud of them. Or skills that we worked hard to develop over hundreds or thousands of hours of practicing earn that right and be proud of our accomplishments. I make no distinction over people's preferences to use their voice or sign. I don't begrudge anybody's musical ability. I don't condemn or begrudge people if they sign in SEE, PSE or ASL or whether their signing happens to be more PSE than ASL. If you are striving to sign purely in ASL, good for you! Yet I can see how people easily mistake for noticing signing to be more PSE than ASL as a condemnation when it's not but rather noting a distinction in signing style. I make no condemnation of people who strive to improve their signing style just as I make no condemnation of people who strive to speak and listen better or develop their speaking skills and become an inspirational speak. Or become a musician regardless of whether one can hear or not.

You see, that's the difference between myself and other people. I don't care if you choose not to speak or use your voice, or not wear your hearing aid or cochlear implant. It's personal choice if you want to go all "organic" or not. Just as well for those who strive to use their voice at every chance they get or the chance to hear with their hearing aids or cochlear implant at every opportunity. There is nothing wrong with that. Nothing superior about it. Just a preference.

I recognize that each of us has a skill and how we use it is really up to us and that we shouldn't be condemned for doing what we are comfortable with. I don't spend a whole lot of time focusing on what I cannot do but rather I focus on the things that I can and want to do. If people don't like that and get angry about it, then perhaps they need to prioritize in what they do in life and focus on the positive for a change.

Meanwhile, why not learn a musical instrument? 

I've played the violin, snare drums, xylophone, saxophone, and piano. I've also did the bass drum while in the high school marching band where we competed in marching band competitions in the southeast. Just because you have a hearing loss isn't a good excuse not to try.