Deaf Space in Adamorobe by Annelies Kusters

Author:Annelies Kusters
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Gallaudet University Press

Conversations about Liking or Not Liking Being Deaf

During my research, deaf people regularly brought up the faith healers when asking each other whether they would like to be hearing: “if a faith healer would be able to make you hearing, would you let him go ahead?” Overall, deaf people said they actually appreciated being deaf and using sign language as their first language. Examples are: “I like being deaf, being deaf is good”; “Hearing like to hear, so be it, I am deaf, I like being deaf, so be it”; “I like to sign”; “Being deaf does not kill you”; “I like being deaf, I live here, I go to the farm and eat off my farm, it’s good for me like this.” Sometimes, deaf people also gave arguments that were linked to particular benefits of being deaf: the deaf-specific attributes such as being strong and hard-working, honest and straightforward, and practical benefits such as not being caught by the police or not having to do communal service.

Additionally, many deaf people made the argument that their deafness was caused by God, a good cause, and was thus not a problem: “I like being deaf, God gave it to me.” Kofi Pare even thought that if he wanted to become hearing, God would be angry and punish him, because He created him as a deaf person: “God thinks I’m good like that and then I would want to change something about it…? That would be something to be ashamed about!” What was confusing then, for many deaf people, is the story in which Jesus makes a deaf man hearing, which they learned during church services.

In the church, Akorful told the story about Jesus who “opens the ears” of a deaf person. He was preaching and thus not asking the deaf people for their thoughts. When he was not looking I asked the deaf people in my view: “Do you want that? That your ears open?” Kwasi Boahene answered that it would be right, if it comes from God, and Asare Kwabena and Kwame Osae agreed with him. Akorful gave the example that faith healers try to make deaf people hearing again but that they cannot do that: only God can. A discussion did not really take place: it was already about 12 pm and it was really burning hot.

Two days later I asked Kofi Pare for his thoughts.

Kofi Pare:

I don’t want that. I prefer to stay deaf. When I’m hearing and argue or fight then I’m caught by the police.

Me:

And if Jesus would come here and want to make you hearing?

Kofi Pare:

Even then not. I wouldn’t ask Jesus so it wouldn’t happen, I have to keep quiet and not ask him.

Me:

And what if Jesus would come up to you and propose to do it?

Kofi Pare:

I would refuse and ask Jesus to please not make me hearing because I like being deaf, and Jesus would accept that with a slightly disappointed face and leave again.

Me:

Sunday in church a few deaf people did want it to happen.

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