Deafless? What in the heck is that word? According to Barry in the video below it is in a sense opposite of what "Deafhood" is about. For those who are "deafless" see themselves as human beings first and not about a person's own hearing loss (i.e. deaf first or in this case Deaf first and everything else is last) and not be constrained by the word "deaf." Barry makes some good points and all done in a veiled tongue-in-check response to "Deafhood." In other words, don't get your wet panties into a wad.
Barry makes a salient point about Deafhood and Deaf, and mocks to a degree about audism as well. Barry proclaims at the end of the video that he chooses to be seen as "deafless" which means he sees himself as a human being first, and not about his hearing loss or deafness that describes him.
What Barry said was pretty much what said starting three years ago when I did four pieces (see here, here, here and here) on my own "invented" word, "Deafhoodism" where I made the point that I see myself simply as a human being who happens to have a hearing loss. My deafness does not solely define me, it's everything else combined that defines me. I don't subscribe to a club mentalilty based upon a condition. There are commonalities, yes, but to make it as a requirement to be a part of one? No.
What's funny was that bloggers actually used my newly "invented" word for awhile as you can see in this Google search. Now, it's Barry's turn that people are suddenly using the "deafless" word but only in the context, as it would seem, to elevate themselves above to "Deafhood" status by looking down on the word or the people who use it. Even though Barry's acceptance of the word "deafless" was seen as a bit of a tongue-in-check to all this but, correctly so, it's the point he's making behind all that word. We're simply human beings and we should see each as that and not about belonging to some club or see ourselves as a deaf person but a person who happens to have a hearing loss.
And, oh, about "Deafless in Seattle"? Ever see the movie "Sleepless in Seattle"? No connection between the two. Just thought I put that one out. By the way, don't take the "Dummies" cover page seriously. All done in tongue-in- cheek with a variety of meanings behind my illustrated graphic page.
