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Virl Osmond
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Deafness is not a handicap, Dear friends, Whether you call yourselves deaf, hearing impaired, hearing, or any other title I extend to all of you a warm welcome to deafnet. It is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this great entity and program. Not only is my heart extended and stretched out towards my deaf associates, but I too have a hearing loss. I don’t feel a need to classify myself in any particular division, except for the fact that we are all living in the same world together. Yes we may have different cultural backgrounds, different customs and living procedures, and different way of thinking and doing things, but the reality is………. As we strive to pull and work together, we will come together and become as a family or in other words, “One Heart.” I feel this quote is a remedy for many of our questions to why people of different backgrounds find it difficult to be one and unified: “Closeness is a matter of communication Communication is a matter of understanding Understanding is a matter of listening And listening begins with love.” It all starts with loving that individual despite whatever physical impairment he/she may have. Once we have that desire, then as we listen, try to understand and communicate more effectively, we draw closer together and become a stronghold. It is love that holds this world together. I’d like to share one more thing with you. It’s okay to be called deaf, hearing impaired, or whatever title you feel comfortable with. It’s when you limit yourself, put yourself in a “poor me scenario,” and degrade yourself . . . that will stop you from reaching your greatest potential and aspiration in life. From the examples and principles my Uncle Alan taught me, I have made this my motto, “I may have deafness, but deafness doesn’t have me.” Once you have overcome the flesh, then you will have gained what the world calls self-control. Here is what I call my “Deaf Mission Statement”: Deafness is not a weakness, but a strength Deafness is not a loss, but a gain Deafness is not a curse, but a blessing Deafness is not a problem, but a solution Deafness is not a burden, but an opportunity Deafness is not a disorder, but a comforter Deafness is not an impairment, but a contentment Deafness is not an embarrassment, but an enlightenment Deafness is not a handicap, but a miracle! Let’s pull together, work together, and stay together. Why? Because we are of “One Heart.” I feel this quote is a remedy for many of our questions to why people of different backgrounds find it difficult to be one and unified: “Closeness is a matter of communication Communication is a matter of understanding Understanding is a matter of listening And listening begins with love.” It all starts with loving that individual despite whatever physical impairment he/she may have. Once we have that desire, then as we listen, try to understand and communicate more effectively, we draw closer together and become a stronghold. It is love that holds this world together. I’d like to share one more thing with you. It’s okay to be called deaf, hearing impaired, or whatever title you feel comfortable with. It’s when you limit yourself, put yourself in a “poor me scenario,” and degrade yourself . . . that will stop you from reaching your greatest potential and aspiration in life. From the examples and principles my Uncle Alan taught me, I have made this my motto, “I may have deafness, but deafness does NOT have me.” Once you have overcome the flesh, then you will have gained what the world calls self-control. Here is what I call my “Deaf Mission Statement”: Deafness is not a weakness, but a strength Deafness is not a loss, but a gain Deafness is not a curse, but a blessing Deafness is not a problem, but a solution Deafness is not a burden, but an opportunity Deafness is not a disorder, but a comforter Deafness is not an impairment, but a contentment Deafness is not an embarrassment, but an enlightenment Deafness is not a handicap, but a miracle! Let’s pull together, work together, and stay together. Why? Because we are of “One Heart.”
Justin Osmond
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(c) Copyright 2004 |
Tom Osmond
