WHAT DEFINES DEAF-BLINDNESS?
The discussion on what consistutes as Deaf-Blind can lead to a lengthy discussion but here it is in a nutshell. To be Deaf-Blind, it is an unaccurate picture of someone who is completely deaf and blind, but rather, a description of someone who has some form of Deafness and some form of Blindness. To many Deaf-Blind, they call themselves that because they are embedded in a community and adopt the culture that comes with. It can also be a term in which the general population can define someone who can’t hear nor see.
Deafblind people have a little or no hearing, may or may not use hearing aids or cochlear implants. Their blindnesses could vary: Deaf with Glaucoma, Deaf with Usher Syndrome, Deaf with no sight from birth… and so on.
Usher Syndrome information can be found here:
Tactile The World 
please post feedback, ideas, comments and links on how to define DBness/DBhood. Thanks!
Hi, its my pleasure to meet u and i will like to meet u in person here is my email ,,, b2xworld@yahoo.com
thanks
saheed
Hm, to be deaf and blind, I guess it means that as a person, we are ‘robbed’ of our two senses, and manage the best we can with the remaining senses we have as well as any degree left of our vision and hearing.
There are many types of severity and communication in the community of deaf and blind. Some may only converse in oral, others in ASL. But in this community, we all know how difficult it can get when a situation calls for using one or both of our senses. In that sense, it is a comradeship.
At least, that’s how I believe defines the Deaf/Blind.
Hello Brenda want vp video
Hi Coco,
It is a pleasure to meet you. We have a mutual friend and she sent me the link to your blog. I am enjoying getting acquainted through it. I also do medical research and I am unfamiliar with your condition except just by name. Specifically I like to research treatments that delay onset of genetically linked illnesses. If I find any thing new, I’ll let you know. I am the one who feels disabled here. Because of my dyslexia, it is taking me forever to get through even one of your posts. My Expressive ASL skills are good, but my Receptive ones are lousy. I hope watching your blogs will aid me in that respect. Hope to ttyl.
I am an interpreter training student and I am currently working with the Deaf-Blind population. Every person I meet has a different story, background, educational and financial background. These people are not “robbed of two senses,” but better explained as a having an inspirational way of adapting. I know Deaf-Blind people with master’s degrees, who have traveled all around the world, and live very fulfilling lives. I become inspired in many ways by becoming better acquainted with such individuals.
Also, for those interested in working with or interacting with Deaf-Blind people, please reference Theresa B. Smith’s “Guidelines.” This book really helps make those of us hearing folk understand the culture and etiquette of working with Deaf-Blind.
Hello this is renae Addison and I’m deaf- blind
Coco,
I thought of you as World traveler. That is quite challenging. There’s something quite challenging accomplished by another Deaf-Blind person. Check it out, Deaf-Blind hiker shares experiences in UW (University of Washington),
http://dailyuw.com/archive/2014/04/09/news/deaf-blind-hiker-shares-experiences-uw-visit#.U0a5K6hdV8G.
That is a motivation! It motivates me to go on a long hiking trek.
I am deaf blind
I am deaf blind , I have bilateral cochlear implants but I hear only a few sounds no words. I have almost no light perception and I see nothing else. I’m here to learn.
steve