People often forget what it means to be different, really different, as in the cases of people with disabilities, or impairments. When you're different, that canmean everything's different. For one example, look at the deaf community. On average deaf people have higher rates of deppression, even when compared to blind people. Wy would that be?
One possibility is the access to communication. Blind people may not be able to read through normal means, but can still carry on a conversation with just about anybody who knows the same language. These people grow up with the same amount of exposure to people and social settings to allow for adjustments to the handicap. A deaf person can't do that. Most people don't know sign language so the deaf individual can not carry on a conversation readily. Many learn how to read lips but that only produces a one-sided conversation. They aren't able to speak for themselves in general society. They aren't able to fit in with most people, and aren't able to make relationships easily. Being hearing impaired is much more than not being able to hear. It even affects where they fit in in our community.
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