Deafinition:
A ‘Deafeatist’ is someone who maintains that deafness, and deafness alone, prevents them from doing something they would otherwise be falling over themselves to do.
For example: go to art college, bake a lifesize cake replica of the Taj Mahal, get launched into space, or simply go to Tescos.
‘Deafeatism’ is not incurable. However, it can be contagious after prolonged contact with a Deafeatist. Masks and anti-bacterial hand gel probably won’t do much to be honest. You’d be better off just getting out there and getting on with it.
A Deafeatist is not:
Someone who likes defeating deaf people at things, for the sheer fun of it. We have a name for these people, but alas, it can’t be printed here.
Enjoying our eggs? Support The Limping Chicken:
The Limping Chicken is the world's most popular Deaf blog, and is edited by Deaf journalist, screenwriter and director Charlie Swinbourne.
Our posts represent the opinions of blog authors, they do not represent the site's views or those of the site's editor. Posting a blog does not imply agreement with a blog's content. Read our disclaimer here and read our privacy policy here.
Find out how to write for us by clicking here, and how to follow us by clicking here.
The site exists thanks to our supporters. Check them out below:
- BSL Zone: TV programmes in BSL for the Deaf community
- Deaf Umbrella: sign language interpreting - find out about listening fatigue.
- Bellman & Symfon: home alerting solutions, including the mobile phone transceiver!
- SignVideo: Instant BSL video interpreting online
- SignHealth: check out the BSL health library
- 999 BSL: call 999 in an emergency, in BSL
- Appa: Looking for RSLIs, TSLIs and CSWs, apply here!
- Mary Hare School: Education for deaf children and young people
- Signly: Adding BSL to websites
- Signworld: Learn BSL online!
- DCAL: world-class research into deafness, cognition and language
- Action Deafness: “A Deaf-Led Charity” – interpreting & community support services
- Sign Solutions: Instant access to Interpreters, training and BSL translation nationwide
- InterpretersLive: On demand BSL video interpretation
- Lipspeaker UK: specialist lipspeaking support
- Performance Interpreting: BSL interpreting at concerts
- National Deaf Children's Society: The leading charity for deaf children
Paul Redfern
April 4, 2012
If I had a quid everytime I saw someone sign: “It’s because I’m Deaf”, I’d have enough money for a new car. But it’s also about internalised oppression and victimhood developed over many years from parents, relatives, work-mates, professional workers (who should know better), discriminatory organisations and even Deaf friends. And I think it’s linked to language. The more language you have, the more knowledge about the world which leads to more internalised power.
Tim
April 4, 2012
It doesn’t help when the No 1 (or should that be ex No 1?) Deaf organisation goes on and on (and on) about checks, cures and LOSS, without giving the other side to it.
This old (and perhaps oppressive) ‘medical model’ approach should not be treated as if it were the only way of dealing with things. There is the ‘social model’ way too. This is good not just because it is fair and inclusive, but because it is helpful, IMO, to Deaf psychological wellbeing.
I’m disabled by bad attitudes, tragedy models, a lack of interpreters,subtitles and visual aids, but not by deafness.