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.

Deaf and Hard of Hearing Toastmasters Club

What is a "toastmaster"?

A Toastmasters meeting is a learn-by-doing workshop in which participants hone their speaking and leadership skills in a friendly atmosphere. A typical group has 20 to 40 members who meet weekly, biweekly or monthly. The average meeting lasts 60 – 90 minutes.

It's also a place where you can go and practice delivering your speeches in front of an audience. The goal for toastmasters is to become confident in speaking in front of an audience and practice on delivering their content clearly and crisply so the audience can understand you. Really, the main goal is to learn how to speak in front of an audience with confidence. It's a confidence builder. I've done many speeches in front of a bunch of people but I was curious about doing this toastmaster thing a few years ago when I was living in New Mexico. And sure enough there was one in the town of Alamogordo where I lived. I met some new friends there and had the opportunity to pick a topic to deliver my speech. The first few was about educating the audience about hearing loss and communication issues. And later gravitated towards more general topics and themes not related to deafness. It was a neat thing to do that and the chance observe and listen to other toastmasters when they had their chance to speak. The cool thing is that after a speech we the opportunity to help the speaker by giving some constructive and positive criticisms on how to improve their speaking. I often gave advice on not about speaking loudly but rather learning how to project one's voice better. There is a difference between talking loudly versus projecting one's voice.

Since my move away from New Mexico I am in the process of finding a nearby Toastermaster club and I expect it to be a bigger group of people. And perhaps a better chance on meeting people with hearing loss. The one back in New Mexico was a small group and all were hearing people. About 7 people.

But believe it or not there is a website for toastmasters with a hearing loss. In fact, it's common to see once in a while people who are deaf or hard of hearing use their speaking skill at Toastmaster clubs such as this group of deaf/hh teens.

When OSST members Rick Kominowski and Terry Bedard coordinated a Youth Leadership Program (YLP) for a group of deaf teens, they had no idea what an impact this Program would make! This YLP, generally developed by Toastmasters International and sponsored by OSST, was adapted for a group of orally-speaking deaf teens from a support organiza-tion called Hear Here Hart-ford, (www.hearherehartford.org). Who would have thought that 12 teens from all over Connecticut and Massachusetts would travel great distances to come to six weekly meetings on a Monday night—all to de-velop their communication and leadership skills! Each teen gave two different speeches; evaluated each others speeches; and participated in impromptu speaking contests judged by mentor volunteers from Hear Here Hartford. Many experienced Toastmasters volunteered as well by giving educational modules to teach various communications skills such as impromptu speaking, listening, organizing thoughts, and using positive body language. Leadership skills were also developed by allowing each teen to assume roles such as toastmaster, grammarian, and timer.


Does this sound like a typical Toastmaster meeting? In some ways, it was— but the teens definitely made it their own. They chose different themes for each meeting like a Hawaiian theme; costume dress up; 60’s; mismatch; and sports theme. At the last YLP meeting, each teen gave a speech in front of parents, as well as volunteers from Toast-masters and Hear Here Hartford (HHH). Each received a certificate from Toastmasters International evidencing the successful completion of the YLP. As the Pro-gram drew to a close, the teens commented on how they wished the meetings would have lasted longer because they were enjoying them so much. What the adults all noted was the dramatic progress each teen made over such a short time!

Also, an interesting history in what HHH did.

Several HHH teen members who participated in the 2008 HHH Youth Leadership Program spoke at the AG Bell National Convention in Orlando on June 26th along with HHH President, Terry Bedard.

Inspirational speakers at Hear Here Hartford include:

Kathy Buckley, comedienne and author, who entertained our audience while sharing her views on overcoming the challenges of hearing loss.

Patrick Holkins, a Harvard student, discussed his road to acceptance of his hearing loss and how he developed self-advocacy skills.

Miss International, Jayna Altman, inspired our teen members with her message of positive empowerment.

Josh Swiller, a Yale graduate who wrote the book, The Unheard: A Memoir of Deafness and Africa.

Angus McCusker inspired our Chapter members when he shared his life experiences as a cross country ski racer in the Deaflympics.

Speaking skills come in all kinds and levels of ability. Some strive to use their speaking skill by improving it. Some strive to make better use of their oratory skill by facing their fears in front of an audience. Or polish their leadship skill by speaking. And that's great.  It's a way to develop a skill in order to conquer keep their fear, embarrassment, lack of confidence, or simply the need to improve oneself. There is nothing wrong with using your oral and listening skills. There's nothing wrong if people with hearing loss choose to and prefer to speak. Toastmasters Club is an excellent place to go and practice speaking in front of an audience. It isn't as easy as it sounds. But give it a try. Share what skill you have and not be embarrassed!