They Think it's all over ?

Deaf awareness week is now ! They say it can only happen in America but, us Brits are trying in our own way to emulate the American deaf dream and encouraging anyone with a name someone recognises to tell the public what shits they are for not giving charity money so deaf can be dependent on charity instead of the state, A recent article by a charity sector site suggested new tactics, SWEARING in advertising as shock tactics and value, noting Bob Geldof has only one language, Obscenity, and he swore non-stop raising millions for Live Aid.

Can you see this catching on ? "Give the *^*%*!!%!%!K money !" with deaf and others being sworn at so the public (Aren't WE the public too ?), foot in mouth time ! can be outraged enough to sign a few cheques. Presumably so the deaf and disabled can pay for minders... My response was as follows.


Sir, If you read online grass roots terminology and responses, it makes Bob Geldof look like Mother Theresa, but with less hair. The thing about telling 'mainstream' (The real minority these days), how bad they are for not respecting the vulnerable and not giving enough money, by giving them a veritable mouthful of abuse, is just going to harden attitudes, and re-create Charitable Overload, an issue I have suffered with for 25 years with no relief... when will a charity be set up for that ?

Not a bad thing in itself, charity died years ago, they are all PLC's now. I'm amazed British mainstream still gives to charity as they do, given everyone and their dyslexic cat are demanding cash from them. What I also noticed as did charity from early on, positive images failed to get funds, you have to show Joe public how BAD things are before they give, or, put fur and four legs on them. Perhaps sending deaf children down coal mines and dressing them in rags might assist, albeit that image is a bit dated now and chimneys have gone the way of the Dodo, we could show ragged deaf urchins deprived of the latests game computers or designer gear, or not having enough pocket money to get stoned more than twice a week, real deprivation........Personally I and a lot of other grass roots deaf people, refused to participate in deaf charitable awareness week, we are just fed up with it.



It was half medical modelling and using 'celebs' (In as much as Michael Parkinson and Pete Stringfellow (WHO ?) are these people), as means to raise money, deliberately side-lining real deaf people, who have their own 'celebs' (I categorize myself as minus z-celeb status at present but am working my way downhill), real deaf people they look up or aspire to (Or take the pee out of in my case). Shock tactics don't really work, it didn't for smoking, didn't for drinking, doesn't for me, and doesn't for obesity etc. The thing about Joe Public is they insist that the right to kill and maim themselves it is an inalienable right, they will still expect you to pick up the tab when they are hospitalised, or need couselling though... who knows they may have made a contribution to taxes in a previous life...

I can just imagine an advert of a Hearing Boss telling a deaf employee "How Bluddy stupid are You ?" not exactly raising much money, but rather raising a fire storm from deaf and the politically correct overnight. I could see deaf cheering the exact opposite though... I suggest deaf using reverse discrimination on mainstream a lot more effective, IF, done with humour.

Yours Sincerely MM deaf person of this parish.

P.S. can you lend me a Fiver ?