Reply #6: Everyone always says deaf, but knowing people in both camps...

[KamaAina]

I've got to say that I'm leaning rather strongly toward blind.

It is a major annoyance to have to schedule an ASL interpreter whenever you have a staff meeting, doctor appointment, or (I kid you not) summer camp. Two adult interpreters had to accompany one deaf teenager I know to science camp, because one can only interpret for about 45 minutes at a time without a break. In some cases, people's own (hearing) parents never learn how to sign to their own deaf children, who naturally grow up preferring the company of other signing people, often at schools for the deaf.

In the words of the immortal Helen Keller, perhaps the ultimate authority on the subject, "Being blind separates me from the world of things, but being deaf separates me from the world of people."

The one thing that would probably freak most people out about being blind is not driving. Given the state of mass transit almost everywhere except NYC, this is quite understandable. However, I don't drive anyway, and so being blind wouldn't be a step down for me; in fact, if I had a travel cane, people would probably get up and offer me a seat, so I wouldn't have to worry about how sickeningly overcorowed the flippin' bus is anymore!

edit: Who says being deaf means you have to live without music? Check out the world's only all-deaf rock band, Beethoven's Nightmare:

http://www.beethovensnightmare.com/store/default.php

After 30 years of performing before deaf audiences across the United States of America, the all-deaf rock and roll band, Beethoven's Nightmare made music history in Nov. 15 with the recording of its first album, "Turn It Up Louder" at Ocean Way Studios in Hollywood....

"We love music. And we want to show America and the world that being deaf doesn't exclude you from loving and performing music," deaf-guitarist Steve Longo said on behalf of the all-deaf trio. "We want to dispel the mystery and myths about deafness and deliver our work of art that we'd like to believe Ludwig Van Beethoven would have found intriguing." Beethoven's birthday is Dec. 17.

Thirty years ago, Steve Longo, (guitarist) Bob Hiltermann (drummer) and Ed Chevy (bass player) launched their inventive journey when the three met while attending college at Galluadet (sic) University in Washington, D.C. Their passion for rock and roll music kept them playing and finding ways to excel and defy deaf barriers.