Paper Example: Deaf Again by Mark Drolsbaugh

Deaf Again is the story of Mark Drolsbaugh and demonstrates to the world a deaf standpoint, that is how they live and the struggles faced daily. As such, it is Mark's journey from being born hearing to losing his hearing ability when he was in the first grade and the problems he faced by being forced into the mainstream. He thus did not know the joys of the deaf community and their culture until he was in his twenties (Drolsbaugh). The report will comprise an analysis of Mark's story and relate it to what deaf people encounter in real life and how it can be viewed by other individuals.

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My change of attitude when I encounter a deaf person would be positive. As such, I would stop any form of discrimination that I would have previously exercised towards such a person. Instead, I would ensure that I offer them help and support where it is needed. Also, my change of attitude should be where I will be in a position to accommodate a deaf person anywhere I may encounter them since it is apparent that most individuals tend to hate on them as they are difficult to understand. It may be hard to accommodate an individual whom one does not know, but it is vital to show them some love and acceptance.

Deafness has an impact on an individual since they struggle to be someone whom they do not want to and cannot even be due to their condition. In the book, it was quite tough for Mark to find his identity. He was trying to stick to his hearing in fear of going deaf as if there was something wrong with one being deaf. Mark took an extended time to recognize that the deaf culture is welcoming and has been there for him to join. Therefore, being deaf makes one be a part of a culture that they do not belong due to difficulty in one accepting their condition early enough.

I once saw a physically disabled person being addressed with insolent commentaries by individuals on the street who thought he was falsifying his situation. It may have been because the person was in his teenage years. They even went ahead to touch him without permission, something that made him quite uncomfortable. I went and asked him whether I could get him to a safe place and away from that street. He accepted my help and even seemed to be quite relieved when he saw me offering to help. As such, watching the person being mistreated made me feel that disabled people need a safe environment where they can interact with other people. It further altered my perspective about them, and I realized that they are just people like the rest of us who are not disabled. They should be allowed to transform the world with their ideas.

Pick Five

How did you relate to the main character?

I related to the main character in different ways. One of them is where I failed to recognize that I cannot be accepted in every group in school. As such, I needed to identify a group where we have similar aspects, such as language, culture, and race. In this way, it was easier to express myself and extract valuable information from my peers. I also felt accepted and appreciated and thus, eradicated all the negative feelings.

What did you learn about family life when one member is disabled?

I learned that when one family member is disabled, it can be tough for the rest to accept his or her condition. They can thus undertake extreme measures to ensure that his or her situation has been restored despite it being very difficult. However, it is essential to note that family can be quite supportive of one of them who is disabled.

What touched you the most and why?

The aspect that touched me the most is where Mark was not taught the ASL at an early age and made to join a school for the deaf. As such, he was far behind when he finally joined the school for the deaf. It may be purported that his family was ashamed of his condition and thus did not accept it from the onset. Accepting it would have made Mark avoid discrimination from students who were not deaf as he would have joined a school for the deaf.

Explain what you like and dislike about the book.

The book has provided valuable information that disabled people face in the community. It has shown efforts by their families to try and make them people they cannot be and as a result, end up missing on various learning and interacting opportunities. On the other hand, I dislike the book because it has made me hate the mainstream educational system that fails to offer disabled people a safe learning environment. Mark had a difficult time in school where they had twenty students in class and would wear hearing aids which made him be ridiculed and made fun since he was different. As such, the teacher should have done something and ensure that students do not make fun of him. He or she should have created a safe and accommodative learning environment for Mark.

Why would you recommend this book to someone else?

I would recommend the boon to someone else as it would enlighten them on the challenges faced by disabled people and the relevance of offering them love and support. Besides, the book would show how disabled people are forced to attempt and suppress their condition, which then causes more harm in the end.

Works Cited

Drolsbaugh, Mark. Deaf Again. 2nd ed., Handwave Publications, 2008, pp. 1-203.