"In This Sign"

This morning, I finished reading "In This Sign" by Joanne Greenburg. This was an exceptionally sad book that, although fiction, held some very ugly truths! The two main characters, Abel and Janice, were deaf in a time right before the Depression when there were no resources or respect for the Deaf. All kinds of handicapped people were dumped in the same institutions, so there were no special attentions to individual handicaps. The deaf, blind, mentally retarded, physically handicapped were all together and barely cared for. The Deaf were not taught to sign, but were rather told NOT to sign because they needed to learn to read lips and speak. If they couldn't do this, they were ridiculed or shunned or thought to be basically useless (yes, I was pretty upset and angry only a page or two into this book!) The story shows the progress that Abel and Janice make when they secretly learn to sign, sneak off to get married, run away from the institution to make a life for themselves, and overcome many obstacles to have a "normal" life. Abel became a printer, and Janice became a seamstress in a factory. All through the Depression, they both kept their jobs and eventually got out of a debt that they incurred because of a misunderstanding when they bought a car. They were even able to finally buy their own house.

What amazed me most about this book was the complete lack of understanding and compassion that some people had (and I'm sticking with the word "had" here because I refuse to allow myself to consider the idea that this kind of prejudice and ignorance still exists). There is absolutely no excuse for people to not treat the Deaf with the same care and respect that they treat other people. These two characters lived most of their lives in confusion and humiliation when dealing with the hearing world. They didn't even receive pity (which isn't the ideal treatment, but preferable to disgust and derision).

I'm very glad that life has changed completely for the Deaf. Many people now realize that the ONLY thing a Deaf person can't do is hear! Of course, there are people who have learning disabilities as well as being Deaf; but there are many hearing people who have learning disabilities also. Now, if a child is born deaf, he or she will be taught to sign immediately and will have access to interpreters to help communicate with people who don't know how to sign. I'm sure there are still people who look down on all people who aren't "perfect," but I'm happy to say I don't know anyone like that!