Which one would you rather be: Blind or Deaf?

[Euronymous]

I'm not sure if I made this thread already, but if I did, then I must have forgotten it, then.

Anyways, my choice would be: deafness, since most new music is awful, and I can always remember the classic music that I favor.

But being blind, however, is another story..... I mean, having to constantly rely on other people would not be enjoyable at all but, instead, be miserable.

 

[Frater Sisyphus]

Even though I am a composer (hence music is as important to me as breathing or sleeping), I could go without hearing.

Seeing, however....no books? and No women? No movies? I can't see (pun?) me living without those things.

As a composer with a lot of theory knowledge - I could get away with composing visually and be a Beethoven or Stevie Wonder.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

I mean, blind people can get by just as well as deaf people. It takes time and dedication to finding a new path, but neither are helpless nor would it be the end of the world.
Being blind for me, at this age, would be very hard for a while because of my attachments to the visual arts. But the world is big and I know I could adapt to some of my other hobbies becoming increasingly more important to me.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I'm not sure if I made this thread already, but if I did, then I must have forgotten it, then.

Anyways, my choice would be: deafness, since most new music is awful, and I can always remember the classic music that I favor.

But being blind, however, is another story..... I mean, having to constantly rely on other people would not be enjoyable at all but, instead, be miserable.

I used to work with Deaf individuals. I have Deaf friends. Ive been with the Deaf as an ally in fighting for rights to use ASL as their main use of communication. I have a speech and language process disorder. I can hear but it takes me awhile to make sense in english what Im told.

Having limited access to communication wouls litterly crush me. While I thought I was loosing my visio two years ago. I still have off and on visual disturbances. The Dapartment of the blind taught me how to use a white cane. Actually, I got familar with everything it felt like I wasnt blind (we practiced with a blindfold.)

Witn these experiences I rather be blind. I need my sense of communication. We have a completely blind woman where I live. She croche, plays video games like bowling, walks around this foor story building with ease.

The only few things I rather see is seeing the water, peoples faces, and sense of direction. But I love music too so I rather be blind. I said deaf years ago but after knowing the Deaf and experiencing vision loss, Id rather be blind.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Gosh. Visual arts. Thats a hard one to give up. Thats the only reason Id rather be Deaf.

Hmm. If I were deaf, Id definitely find myelf involved with the Deaf community. Isolation is terrible feeling. I love art. Maybe find braille like ways to feel my paintings and writing. Id be using my sense of touch a lot.

 

[ADigitalArtist]

Also @Carlita
This post actually prompted me to look at some videos on YouTube and found a really cool channel by a blind man who explains getting about his life. The Tommy Edison Experience It's really cool.

 

[Frater Sisyphus]

The thought of either scares the living daylights out of me, the consolation is to be grateful (just in general) that we (presumably) have these senses

I have seen/heard/met people that are able to do extraordinary things with loss of different senses(or limbs) and it is mind-boggling what we are capable in spite of such a physical loss! (and how successful some of them are too )

 

[Shia Islam]

I used to work with Dead individuals. I have Deaf friends. Ive been with the Deaf as an ally in fighting for rights to use ASL as their main use of communication. I have a speech and language process disorder. I can hear but it takes me awhile to make sense in english what Im told.

Having limited access to communication wouls litterly crush me. While I thought I was loosing my visio two years ago. I still have off and on visual disturbances. The Dapartment of the blind taught me how to use a white cane. Actually, I got familar with everything it felt like I wasnt blind (we practiced with a blindfold.)

Witn these experiences I rather be blind. I need my sense of communication. We have a completely blind woman where I live. She croche, plays video games like bowling, walks around this foor story building with ease.

The only few things I rather see is seeing the water, peoples faces, and sense of direction. But I love music too so I rather be blind. I said deaf years ago but after knowing the Deaf and experiencing vision loss, Id rather be blind.

Although this is not a religious topic, and although many may hate to hear quoting from a religious source that they don't believe in, I would like to say that in the Quran, the favor of hearing is always mentioned before the favor of vision..

Thanks God for all of his bounties, and our heart with all of those face the calamities of being deaf or blind..

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Although this is not a religious topic, and although many may hate to hear quoting from a religious source that they don't believe in, I would like to say that in the Quran, the favor of hearing is always mentioned before the favor of vision..

Thanks God for all of his bounties, and our heart with all of those face the calamities of being deaf or blind..

Shrugs. Deafness isnt a disability to be cured. deafness maybe. Tbe former doesnt see their Deafness as a barrier. Most hearing people do. Prayer is fine on one side but on another its not necessary. The struggle is misinterpretation and lack of proper communication appropriate for those who cant hear. More so communucation barriers not that they are Deaf.

Some deaf people do want to hear. I guess prayer is fine there.

 

[Trailblazer]

The thought of either scares the living daylights out of me, the consolation is to be grateful (just in general) that we (presumably) have these senses

And we should also be grateful that we have good health, if we have it... I never used to be grateful, I was bitter, but I have changed as I have gotten older and realize what I have... I hate that I compare myself to other people, but I do... The people I work with seem to have a lot easier and happier life than I do, but none of us knows what our own end will be. Besides, those of us have suffered most do become stronger and develop character if we make it through. I almost didn't but I did.

 

[Mock Turtle]

No contest. Being blind is so much more of a handicap and loss than being deaf - even though I love and would miss so much music. My father was severely deaf and I am sure I never quite appreciated his problems - he never had a hearing aid until very late in life. He was a fireman in London during WWII and presumably lost his hearing then or from a childhood illness - I'm not sure which was the case. He must have seen some terrible things during these times. I've been lucky and have had good physical health all my life with just the odd bone-breaking incidents, and usually occurring because of the activities that I chose to do.

 

[Jumi]

Although this is not a religious topic, and although many may hate to hear quoting from a religious source that they don't believe in, I would like to say that in the Quran, the favor of hearing is always mentioned before the favor of vision..

It's interesting. I think this is rather universal belief, especially among those of us who are mystics. Many close their eyes when they pray or meditate.

 

[Trailblazer]

No contest. Being blind is so much more of a handicap and loss than being deaf - even though I love and would miss so much music. My father was severely deaf and I am sure I never quite appreciated his problems - he never had a hearing aid until very late in life. He was a fireman in London during WWII and presumably lost his hearing then or from a childhood illness - I'm not sure which was the case. He must have seen some terrible things during these times. I've been lucky and have had good health all my life with just the odd bone-breaking incidents, and usually occurring because of the activities that I chose to do.

I have been very fortunate too, with my physical health... I still can ride my bike to work and back, about 25 miles a day, just as I did 20 years ago. I have not been as fortunate with mental health, but I had a difficult childhood and have a genetic predisposition to anxiety and depression, everyone in my nuclear family had it.

I never broke any bones, but I got hit from behind by a car going 55 MPH while I was riding my bike and got a T11 fracture, but it healed and i never had any problems with it again... that was in 2005. I could have been killed so I was very lucky.

Being blind really frightens me... Once in a while I start having vision problems when I have been staring at the computer too long and I have to take a break and go lie down... I should know better but I can be kind of compulsive when I have posts to answer... I have so many, not just here but on two other forums.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I have been very fortunate too, with my physical health... I still can ride my bike to work and back, about 25 miles a day, just as I did 20 years ago. I have not been as fortunate with mental health, but I had a difficult childhood and have a genetic predisposition to anxiety and depression, everyone in my nuclear family had it.

I never broke any bones, but I got hit from behind by a car going 55 MPH while I was riding my bike and got a T11 fracture, but it healed and i never had any problems with it again... that was in 2005. I could have been killed so I was very lucky.

Being blind really frightens me... Once in a while I start having vision problems when I have been staring at the computer too long and I have to take a break and go lie down... I should know better but I can be kind of compulsive when I have posts to answer... I have so many, not just here but on two other forums.

Mental health problems have hit me the hardest too, as mentioned elsewhere, and I think I have tended to take my general physical healthiness for granted - which has enabled me of course to do so many different physical activities - cycling, caving, rock-climbing, mountaineering, dinghy-sailing, yachting, etc. The worst that I have suffered whilst cycling has been the common collarbone fracture - my fault for my lack of attention - but I have also been under the front wheels of a car with my bike under the back wheels - his fault - but coming away with just scratches.

I had some eye floaters a few years back which worried me but they went away and have not returned. As you say, anything eye-related can be such a worry since it impacts so many areas of one's life.

I appear to have been uniquely lucky in that through a variety of experiences I appear to have self-corrected my own mental health issues so as to be much like I was as a child, that is, as in my religion quote (The road taken but not taken), I was on the wrong path but crossed back to the right one - not without a great deal of hardship and destruction along the way though. This happening might actually make someone more susceptible to have a belief in a God or in karma since it does appear to be so unusual - but not me - too stubborn perhaps.

 

[Trailblazer]

Mental health problems have hit me the hardest too, as mentioned elsewhere, and I think I have tended to take my general physical healthiness for granted - which has enabled me of course to do so many different physical activities - cycling, caving, rock-climbing, mountaineering, dinghy-sailing, yachting, etc. The worst that I have suffered whilst cycling has been the common collarbone fracture - my fault for my lack of attention - but I have also been under the front wheels of a car with my bike under the back wheels - his fault - but coming away with just scratches.

I had some eye floaters a few years back which worried me but they went away and have not returned. As you say, anything eye-related can be such a worry since it impacts so many areas of one's life.

I appear to have been uniquely lucky in that through a variety of experiences I appear to have self-corrected my own mental health issues so as to be much like I was as a child, that is, as in my religion quote (The road taken but not taken), I was on the wrong path but crossed back to the right one - not without a great deal of hardship and destruction along the way though. This happening might actually make someone more susceptible to have a belief in a God or in karma since it does appear to be so unusual - but not me - too stubborn perhaps.

When I was younger I used to hike a lot but other than that I have not done many outdoor recreational activities... Before I came back to an interest in religion I was a serious student in many colleges and universities, and I have had so many cats for so many years that I have had no time for anything recreational. I ride my bike only because I have to get to work and I do not like driving a car, that got worse after I had a bad accident a couple of years ago.

I guess it is eye floaters that I have... I work on a computer all day long on maps and then come home and work on forums all night, so that is a strain on the eyes...

I got a lot of help for my mental health problems; psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, 12 step groups, and homeopathic medicine for about 15 years. I really worked on my recovery for a long time before I considered trying to be a Baha’i again... I feel healthy enough emotionally but I still don’t feel like I fit into the group, because I am an introvert and a Trailblazer. I was never one to run with the crowd.

I am very stubborn too, I fought getting back into my religion for many years and it had to be MY decision... I still do not participate in the social activities but I am in the spirit of the teachings and I converse with Baha’is online.

I think it was just fate that I ended up being a Baha’i because I was never looking for any religion or for God.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I got a lot of help for my mental health problems; psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, 12 step groups, and homeopathic medicine for about 15 years. I really worked on my recovery for a long time before I considered trying to be a Baha’i again... I feel healthy enough emotionally but I still don’t feel like I fit into the group, because I am an introvert and a Trailblazer. I was never one to run with the crowd.

The nature of my problems - the main one at least, avoidance - seems to have been why I generally didn't seek help or even confide in my friends - and I have had more than enough good friends in my life - still have some too. Shame I just wasn't as open with them as I should have been. But that is the main issue with AvPD, one does tend to keep it all in. Fortunately I have the ability to cope on my own and seem to have sufficient strength to weather most things. And since I have never had any specific therapy, I do believe that it is possible for some to self-correct even if this isn't exactly a popular view. I realise I might just be lucky and I am possibly more capable than many however. Modest too.

 

[oldbadger]

I would give up hearing before vision.
I'm already partially deaf and it bothers me 'not-at-all'.
I use subtitles when watching films.

I can hear many frequencies still, but have lost many. But since I love cycling, photography, wildlife, etc, I will hope to keep my vision.

 

[Trailblazer]

The nature of my problems - the main one at least, avoidance - seems to have been why I generally didn't seek help or even confide in my friends - and I have had more than enough good friends in my life - still have some too. Shame I just wasn't as open with them as I should have been. But that is the main issue with AvPD, one does tend to keep it all in. Fortunately I have the ability to cope on my own and seem to have sufficient strength to weather most things. And since I have never had any specific therapy, I do believe that it is possible for some to self-correct even if this isn't exactly a popular view. I realise I might just be lucky and I am possibly more capable than many however. Modest too.

I would not say that I have ever had AvPD but I used to have social anxiety and avoided social interactions... Even now, I only socialize a little at work, but mostly online.

I do not have social anxiety anymore and I am not self-conscious, I just prefer to be alone... People annoy me much of the time because what most people talk about does not interest me, it is so shallow... ... I do not like to think negatively about people that way so that is one reason I avoid being around them.

In have always coped on my own, even without many friends, but my psychological problems were much too severe to cure on my own.... You have no idea and it is not something anyone knows about but my immediate family members. I could easily have died many times but I am very strong-willed so I am still alive...

 

[Jumi]

If I was rich I'd rather be blind, if poor I'd rather be deaf.

 

[Trailblazer]

I would give up hearing before vision.
I'm already partially deaf and it bothers me 'not-at-all'.
I use subtitles when watching films.

I can hear many frequencies still, but have lost many. But since I love cycling, photography, wildlife, etc, I will hope to keep my vision.

Have you thought about a hearing aid? They have pretty sophisticated ones nowadays.