P643 CEEFAX 2 643 Fri 21 Jan 22:24/31 1/6 WRITE HEAR: KATE CAMERON, LONDON I would like to respond to last week'1 letter from Mrs K Dougal who wrote about scientific advancements. What point was Mrs Dougal trying to make? OK so we now have speech-to-text facilities and physically disabled people can aquire new limbs. What I am interested to know is if Mrs Dougal was subtly advocating the eradication of deafness, suggesting our deaf ears are replaced with new ones? Visions of that poor mouse with a human ear on its back spring to mind. >>> Comment is on page 645 Index: 100 Vacancy Subtitles Comment Main MenuP643 CEEFAX 2 643 Fri 21 Jan 22:04/47 2/6 WRITE HEAR: KATE CAMERON, LONDON If so, Mrs Dougal should note that some Deaf people do not actually want to become hearing. As the tired old argument goes, we have a culture of our own. We are different from other disabled people (that is, if we decide we are disabled after all!) as we have our own language. It has also been that we are a nation amongst ourselves, the only difference being that we do not own a country. I find it shocking that people are fiddling around with deafness. >>> Comment is on page 645 Index: 100 Vacancy Subtitles Comment Main MenuP643 CEEFAX 2 643 Fri 21 Jan 22:12/14 3/6 WRITE HEAR: KATE CAMERON, LONDON Does anyone actually ask Deaf people themselves if they would like a brand new plastic ear? I certainly don't! It is frightening to note that many scientists are actually working to wipe deafness out, and people may have the option of aborting deaf babies. Deafness is NOT life threatening. It does not warrant emergency operations. Scientific developments are all very well, and personally I would love to see a coin-operated BSL interpreter machine! Who agrees with me here? Comment is on page 645 Index: 100 Vacancy Subtitles Comment Main MenuP643 CEEFAX 2 643 Fri 21 Jan 22:17/57 4/6 WRITE HEAR: BEN PALMER, LONDON A poem: "Ability" I can run I can walk I can laugh I can feel I can see I can jump I can hurt I can cry I can love So what's the huge difference Between us and them? I can't hear That's all... Comment is on page 645 Index: 100 Vacancy Subtitles Comment Main MenuP643 CEEFAX 2 643 Fri 21 Jan 22:05/21 5/6 WRITE HEAR: ELIZABETH LINES, COLCHESTER A poem: "The REAL Cause Celebre" When they call the roll in London, I'll be there. When Deaf folk are marching strongly, I'll be there. When they're waving banners higher, When theyre signing full of fire, You can bet your little cotton socks, I'll be there. Yes sir! >>> Comment is on page 645 Index: 100 Vacancy Subtitles Comment Main MenuP643 CEEFAX 2 643 Fri 21 Jan 22:18/05 6/6 WRITE HEAR: ELIZABETH LINES, COLCHESTER A poem: "The REAL Cause Celebre" And you'd better say your prayers If I'm there. I don't stand up and fight for nothing, If I'm there. I'll shout for Equal Education For our growing born deaf little nation I don't tolerate anything less than Nothing, NO SIR! But I'll never ever march, not anywhere Deaf folk banging drums for signing Being a language When at best it's ingenious slanguage So sisters, brothers, count me out, I'll be at prayer, SO THERE! Comment is on page 645 Index: 100 Vacancy Subtitles Comment Main Menu