[PenultimateManStanding]

I had the misfortune to have my auditory nerves prenatally damaged by Rubella virus. The damage was moderate to severe - moderate at lower frequencies, severe at the higher frequencies. The result was that though I can hear, I can't tell what most people are saying most of the time. I'm 51 years old and have dealt with this all my life. Here are some of the things I learned early: reading is a joy. I started out by reading all of Frank L. Baum's books of Oz and the Hardy Boys Mysteries and moved on as I matured. Humor is the best Social Defense for the deaf. I had an old fashioned chest strapped hearing aid in grade school and I used to amuse classmates by holding the earpiece up to the receiver to create feedback and then moving it in and out to play tunes. Clowning worked well. My genetic disposition is extrovert but the disability has thwarted my inclination. Along comes the Internet. Here at last is some place I can play the game of social interaction unhindered. That's why I like this forum.

[katkinkate]

Thats one of the best things about the internet, your welcomed/judged by others on what you have to contribute, rather than what you look like, your gender, age, disabilities, defects, height/weight ratio, socio-economic status.... all those external 'things' that people use to choose who to accept, who to asskiss, who to victomise and who to ignore.

[killJOY]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pen...man', 'I') had an old fashioned chest strapped hearing aid in grade school and I used to amuse classmates by holding the earpiece up to the receiver to create feedback and then moving it in and out to play tunes.

[uNkNowN ElEmEnt]

Once in a while when my blondish roots show, I come out with something that I look back on and have to say "what the hell was I thinking about and what the hell was I trying to say?"

But not once has anyone actually said I was an idiot or screwed up. I like this forum becuase unless you are a tried and true moron most people here are pretty forgiving. Its also nice to see so many intelligent people in one place.

[oowolf]

This whole site is somewhat like a lifeboat that a diverse, formerly unassociated group has sought refuge in. (Warning: potential Titanic metaphor--maybe we should adopt a "Gilligan's island" metaphor--who's a "professor", "Mary Ann", etc.)
We even have a psych section where dispirited PO'ers can go to get a pep talk!

[DomusAlbion]

"I love you guys.... screw it, I hate you guys!"
-- Eric Cartman

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('oowolf', ' ')(Warning: potential Titanic metaphor--maybe we should adopt a "Gilligan's island" metaphor--who's a "professor", "Mary Ann", etc.)