Coursework Example: Simulation of Being Deaf Experience

Today I found myself thinking about the intellectual aspect of life.

I decided to choose a sensory disability; specifically hearing impairment. To be sincere, I chose this disability since I thought that it would appear more convenient and comfortable for me than any other given disability that I could have chosen concerning this subject. It seems true for this task, but from experience, it is proven beyond any doubt that having a disability of any kind is never convenient. This was a better experience to help me understand what the disabled go through, especially those with hearing problems. In this paper, I will explain how I was affected emotionally, intellectually, socially and physically as I participated in this activity. The activity took forty-eight hours.

Day one

I involved a friend who helped me insert an earplug in my ear so that I could look like someone who is typically deaf. The experience was unique that even friends could not reach me normally. It dawned on my parents that all was not well with me. It was not able to guess what friends said. All I would do is to stare at them.

The plans of the day were well set and by noon took off to participate in this activity over which I had to feel the part in participation. Much of day, one I spent lynching around my house doing homework, so I did not have much of social interactions. I did notice that my family found it very amusing to watch me try to go about my day-to-day activities with an earplug. There were more than a few chuckles active of the walls in my residence due to my unusual nature with an earplug.

On the afternoon hours, I was able to attend one session of a lecture that was organized by our regional instructor on issues pertaining health at the downtown restaurant. In attendance was my high school friend that we had taken long before meeting. So he invited me to walk with him but worried about what would be the result of the earplug. We met in front of the restaurant center, and he was determined for some time to reflect back unto our past life. The situation was erroneous and explaining to him my disability was futile. I was only able to communicate through sign language, which he was not conversant with. He would only reply with a funny look.

Emotionally this movement was a greater growing experience than usual. In many cases during the day I found myself becoming impatient and irritated during my daily activities because of being unable to perform the usual duties I would always do. I was for the idea that it is possible for someone deaf to effectively perform daily duties effectively, which was not the case. I was unable to understand simple instructions not limited to even understanding my name. It was my thought that only losing one ear would not be such effective.

At home it was more challenging, performing regular duties were not easy, for I had to take a lot of time to internalize simple instructions given by parents. While speaking I had to do it at the top of my voice, whoever was to address me had to come close and shout for me to get the information correctly. I received complaints and concerns from family members who wanted me to be hospitalized. This issue got me worried why some individuals despise the deaf while they do not exactly have the experience on what these people undergo. I found out today that the deaf sleep deeply. It was not easy for me to wake up without a physical contact with a friend or a relative.

Day twoI woke up early in the morning so that I could rush for shopping in the town. I would walk along the road and feel as if the world was different this time around. It was a worrying moment as I was unable to hear the normal sound of busy traffic and even the footsteps walking beside me. All the sounds I had been used to were all gone. I was now in the world of silence. At the shopping mall, things were not usual. It was hectic to pay for the shopping because the attendants were not aware of my problem. Have never had an experience of the deaf but, this simulation woke my thoughts. At the counter, I felt lonely for nobody wanted to associate with me.

I went home imagining the kind of life the deaf are undergoing in life, imagining a life where everybody is viewing you as a liability, your close friends start rebelling, and you're left alone. The people you had always trusted all through your life now turn to be strangers. This day I felt like giving up on the whole activity. I came to myself and took this as a challenge in life. My social life was interrupted for I was not able to interrupt normally, my participation and involvement in daily chores was questionable.

Intellectually, I had to think for long hours during this day, imagining how I would perform the normal daily activities. The fact that I cannot internalize information due to my condition brought darkness in my life. A life of silence and if you talk, people think you are mad. Planning on how to make meals for me. Arranging for ingredients brought disagreements, I was viewed as a pretender; for I was able to speak loudly and hardly give an ear.

Today I also went for physical exercise, to ensure that I was fit for the remaining daily chores. Having earplug on my ears, the exercise was not productive. I had to shorten the period for it was not helpful. Friends would look at me and make funny faces. They would laugh and call me all sorts of names. I would not be able to resist for I was unable to articulate their language. This is a clear indication of exactly what the disabled feel in our society.

I had an experience in this day when I was given an opportunity to lead in prayer at the family table. The session was different this time. I would witness everybody looking at me with many sympathies. However, I was mentally upright, and because I could not hear, I had to speak at the top of my voice.

In these two days, I had to struggle with frustration, loneliness, impatience, and hatred, but all these were meant to open my eyes. It was a challenge to help me experience what exactly life has for the disabled in the society. Our ever-changing economic demands call for tolerance and adherence to the disabled. My two-day simulation of disability will remain in my memory for years.

Overall reflection

Within my forty-eight hour's simulation of being deaf. I came to learn some special and useful experience in life. In the first place, I came to know exactly who I was. In other words, I realized that simulation changed my view concerning the disabled and was able to change the view I had towards them. It enhanced my tolerance towards humanity and love for all regardless of racial lines. It was during this simulation that I realized the true meaning of a friend. Friends are of different kinds and seasons. It was during this time that the friends that I thought loved me were never interested interacting with me anymore.

I may not be sure if my simulation was the exact reflection of what the deaf are undergoing in life, and if my two-day simulation activity is anything to go by, then I can conclude that the deaf and other physically disabled individuals are undergoing through tough times in life. In fact, I anticipated sympathy from those around me before I started the two-day simulation. Whatever I experienced was the exact opposite of my anticipation. Nobody was concerned about my condition, and in turn, I was to be blamed for my fault. It is an indication that the world we are in is full of potholes and before we bid it bye, let us learn to care for the disabled, these people are undergoing through stressful situations in life.

Additionally, from the study, I would recommend the formation of several disability groups to help in nurturing the disabled. The disabled needs frequent attention and motivation that could not easily be given by those around them. Trained personnel are required to help in handling the different needs of disabled individuals. The family members of the disabled needs to be consulted in line with reaching to these individuals.

Through my study, I concluded that the non-disable individuals in our society today are only looking for functional limitations of the disabled in the society. To an extent, this section of the society is blaming the disabled for being how they are. From my study, I would advise the non-disabled to remain focus and avoid throwing stones to their fellows. Nobody is willing to be disabled, but there are situations in life that dictate these conditions.

From experience have gained through my two-day disability simulation, the society has a role to play in motivating the disabled. The disabled should be included in the activities of the society; they should feel part of the ongoing development the society. Just like the non-disabled in the society, the disabled needs to be recognized and eventually motivated. For this to be realized the society should ensure that there are set situations in which they can reach the disabled. The disabled individuals, in turn, should ensure that they erect strategies for handling the operational functions they undergo.