Last day of deaf awareness week. I’m going to talk about a few mistakes people commit in the presence of deaf people (me)

1. Talking (maliciously) about me in front of me because I’m deaf. Fully unaware or ignorant of the fact that as long as I’m looking at you, there’s a high chance I know exactly what you’re saying. It doesn’t matter if you said it smiling.

If you’re going to talk about me, do it the traditional way and do it behind my back

2. Telling me “but you’re so smart” right after they find out about my disability. Why is there a but? I just said that I’m deaf, not that I’m 3years old lol. Disability is not equal to intellectual deficiency.

3. Laughing immediately i/someone says I’m deaf. Aint shit funny. My retort completely belies the sweet lady I am

4. People can be very very sweet when talking to me in private. Until other people are around. Then suddenly they have a humiliation kink and I’m their target object I humiliate back

5. Playing pranks on me. I’ve had people sneakily turn my phone from silent to loud then call my number. I can’t tell a phone is ringing if I’m not touching it. I stopped talking to the first person that did that to me until she apologized

6. Calling me a liar for telling them I’m deaf. “But we met and spoke” “but you don’t look deaf”.. ableds are so boring and lack imagination

7. I don’t know if i should even add this one but people asking me WHY i haven’t left Gambia to seek treatment elsewhere. Some of it is definitely financially but other factors play a huge part

8. I really hate when people call my phone without texting me first even if you’re trying to speak to someone else atleast lmk first, i hang up. Sometimes people use strange numbers to call me to see if i lied and will pick up

9. You really and truly do not need to tell disabled people that God is protecting them by making them disabled. As a religious person I believe strongly in destiny, i believe God does things for a reason, yes ndogali Yallah la, but be mindful how you say it

10. One of the most, if not the most disgusting things hearies do is when they say something in my presence, and when it puts them in trouble argue that i misheard and that wasn’t what they said.

One time someone close to me did this but i had recorded the conversation . So before you lie.....

That’s all for now from your fav deaf girlie.. remember, don’t hesitate to ask questions. And remember to be kind je vous aime mes bebes