~ SHOW ME DEAF COMMUNITY ~ by Paul J Kiel

ARE WE EXPERIENCING STOCKHOLM SYNDROME?

2009-11-07T09:29:00.006-06:00

This is going to be interesting observation on this topic. Are we experiencing Stockholm Syndrome? If it was 1880 resolutions that hijacked the lives of deaf community on September 11, 1880. I would concur that we have been suffering from Stockholm Syndrome for 140 years.

According to Laurent Clerc's journals, he mentioned, "I know what is going on. Important people , distinguished gentlemen, are repudiating the cause to which I have devoted my life. Endowed with the sacred trust of my people's welfare, they seek, without consulting us, to prevent our worship, marriage, and procreation, to stultify our education, and to banish our mother tongue simply because our way and our language are different from theirs."

This shows something going on at the time of his writing at his age of 83 in 1869. He knew what the hearing people were doing and it was rampant during his time, too. It shows how the system has been manipulated over and over.

Another of Clerc's comments from journal, "Meanwhile-language must come once again to my aid. It has always been my weapon to fight evil, my vessel to fill minds thirsting for knowledge, my lure to solicit relief. It must serve me grandly one last time and cast such a brilliant light on the history of present injustices that their perpetrators will cringe and their victims rally."

"I am impelled by the present threat to the well-being, dignity and freedom of my people to tell our story, one that I have lived almost from its beginning: how we gathered in France and in other European lands and then in America; how our language spread throughout Europe and crossed the Atlantic; the great struggle to create schools for us, in which it was my lot to play a leading role. It is a story of builders: of an abbe' rejected by the Church who established the education of an entire class rejected by society; of a deaf shepherd who achieved international acclaim by personifying what such an outcast class can achieve through education; of a frail New England pastor who channeled the love of a little deaf girl into a mighty force that has created a first college in the world for that class. It is also a tale of destroyers: of a zealous physician who put mock science ahead of true humanity; of a haughty nobleman who imposed his will on the deaf, knowing, he believed, what was best for them but knowing, in fact, none of them; of a professional reformer who sought to recast entire classes of society in his own image." [ Excerpted from "When the Mind Hears" By Harlan Lane.]

Stockholm syndrome -

"noun Psychiatry.
an emotional attachment to a captor formed by a hostage as a result of continuous stress, dependence, and a need to cooperate for survival." [ Excerpted from dictionary.com ]

This is how and why we are suffering mental health problems due to hearing people's selfish ambitions and motivations. We are the victims of abuses everywhere at home, at work, at schools and the community.

We need to stand our ground and turn the tables back at them! We need to deprogram the audistic system.

This is what deaf advocacy is all about!

"GERALD" DESERVES AN OSCAR!

2009-11-07T00:36:00.003-06:00

The movie, Gerald, was REAL GOOD! It should win an Oscar...Mark Woods gets an Oscar as well as Andy Vasnick gets an Oscar for excellent performance. The cast and story were good and gets 5 star rating - ***** By George, I had to cry. The plot thickens as the movie unravels its storylines....whoo! ASLFILMS did grand job! The fourth time! Now what is the fifth?

Mindy and Mark.. I will like to see a movie made...I am working on script..i will meet you sometime and go over the future possibilities of another movie. I do not want to invest in equipment as funds are hard. Let me know. hmm your cinema skills are improving!

Very easy on the eyes and the way ASL is used from start to finish. FANTASTIC! It felt like I was in the same room with them. It felt like roller coaster with emotions up and down! Congrats to Mindy, Mark and ASLFILMS!

Hugs, Paul

FLASHBACK: Tampa's First International Deaf Film Festival (2004)

2009-11-04T23:37:00.006-06:00

This video is about Tampa's First International Deaf Film Festival (2004). It was part of my class project to attend a film festival. Thank the stars for the film festival for deaf. I was attending hearing university (UMSL). I got BA degree in Communication in TV and Film with a minor in Mass Communication.

By the way, I want to note that the late Larry Fleischer is in it. He can be seen at the timecode between 1:33 and 1:59.

I have been to several deaf film festivals including the one I ran in 2007 in St. Louis. I am interested in seeing more film festivals so I can enjoy the work done by deaf filmmakers and videographers. Let's have fun producing videos!

DEAF ADVOCACY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS IN THE 21st CENTURY...

2009-10-29T04:44:00.007-05:00

A video presentation about Deaf Advocacy.

* MORE DEAF BLOOD ON DMH'S HANDS! *

2009-10-28T14:58:00.006-05:00

Just a while ago, I found out a friend that plays as sub on our dart league had committed suicide. It felt like a big stab in heart knowing someone you care about had ended life. What cause it? We will never know. It is possible that there is lack of mental health services to help that person out of suicide thoughts.

I am a suicide survivor. I have been through enough suicides and I have tried a few times on myself. I have stopped doing that 21 years ago. To this day, I keep myself available to friends who may consider that. This is not a necessary step. It hurts everyone including the families.

Historian Arnold Toynbee once wrote, "There are always two parties to a death; the person who dies and the survivors who are bereaved."

Unfortunately, many survivors of suicide suffer alone and in silence. The silence that surrounds them often complicates the healing that comes from being encouraged to mourn.

Now there is more deaf blood on DMH's hands!

Each blood drop represents the following incidents:

* There is no current mental health services for the deaf in the whole state of Missouri!

* DMH continues to do more window dressings and fiddle while we suffer!

* DMH continues to pass the buck by outsourcing to other states!

* DMH continues to procastinate despite the years of community involvement in providing suggestions and guidelines!

* There have been 5 suicides to date and counting!

* DMH does not care about the deaf community!

* DMH hired an interpreter to take deaf person's job!

* DMH ignored a hearing person who has wealth of experience in deaf mental health field! His programs are successful elsewhere!

* DMH ignored a deaf person who has wealth of experience in deaf mental health field! His program is successful elsewhere!

* DMH has only appropriated $539,000.00 for interpreting services only!

* DMH has ignored our request to halve the budget to hire 4 deaf mental health professionals!

* DMH continues to play politics with other groups who are advocating for mental health services for the deaf!

* DMH is trying to control an advisory group working with a local community behavorial group to provide services for deaf consumers! We made a rule that they cannot do that and we are still snipping at them!

* DMH is violating local, state and federal laws playing games with the deaf community!

The judgement day is nearing for DMH!

~Will Dr. Hurwitz help combat audism? ~

2009-10-21T12:49:00.016-05:00

Will Dr. Hurwitz help combat audism?

I do not know yet. His track record may be poor in combating audism. I do know from being involved in past efforts to get an alumni organization to follow the same steps that Gallaudet University adopted in 1988.

I left that organization in 1980 after reading "Deaf Heritage" by Jack Gannon when it showed how hearing people behaved towards deaf community. It also showed AG Bell's stance against the deaf community. I was in shock when I read more. I dug deeper and deeper.

I tried to ask the alumni organizaton to adopt Gallaudet's system of having 51% deaf majority on board, hire deaf teachers, incorporate the use of ASL (with bi/bi system). and few things that would align the school to meet the real needs of deaf education. I was backstabbed, put down, ignored and insulted by some alumni members. I even lost friends due to my stubborness in correcting the social needs of Deaf community.

I got energized after reading Harlan Lane's book, "The Mask of Benevolence:Disabling the Deaf Community" I got more angry and was determined to do some kind of social change to alleviate the needs of the deaf community.

The last 21 years have brought more light and truth to the problems of audism.

Like Brian Riley's recent comments, "...the crucial political issue is finding ways to enlighten hearing parents on the issues so that they can avoid the pitfalls that have historically been associated with the narrow and exaggerated claims which originate within the medical industry, i.e., claims and "treatments" which generally tend to serve entrenched business interests and the financial interests of a particular professional class (audiologists, speech pathologists, etc.)", it is true and it still happens.

I am indeed concerned about the direction that Dr. Hurwitz may lead Gallaudet Unversity. He needs to understand that audism is not tolerable anywhere and that he needs to show his true colors by combating audism.

His first task may be to inform oral schools across the country including Central Institute for the Deaf, St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf, Moog Center for Deaf Education and Special School District of St. Louis that audism is not tolerable in schools and anywhere.

He needs to be reminded that there were two national reports that condemned oral schools for education failures. ( Babbage report of 1965 and Deaf Education Act of 1988).

Now with him leading Gallaudet University, it sends mixed messages to the public community as CID in the past had slandered Gallaudet University. I was even ridiculed by the former principal and other teachers for my decision to go to Gallaudet back in 1970s.

He needs to stand up for Gallaudet University by being truthful about how audism is rampant and how AG Bell and his cronies were lying about oralism since 1880.

He needs to help rescind the infamous Milan conference of 1880 that removed sign language from classrooms. It amounts to abuses when not allowing sign language in classrooms.

So now that Dr. Hurwitz is in the driver's seat at Gally starting January 1, 2010. He can help us combat audism.

Will he do it?

Will he waffle to make audists happy?

It did take him long time to get AG Bell plaque from the NTID dorm.

It may take him longer time to make any decisions to combat audism.

Will he do it?

Only time will tell!

Good luck, Dr. Hurwitz!

Central Institute for the Deaf:

Moog Center for Deaf Education:

St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf:

CONGRATS TO ALAN! Isn't it ironic how CID thought??

2009-10-18T11:45:00.014-05:00

CONGRATS TO ALAN! Isn't it ironic how CID thought??

The moment that Ben Soukup announced T. Alan Hurwitz as the tenth president of Gallaudet University, the walls at CID are signing (speaking)!

The walls are now shaking and it shows what the deaf children had been oppressed from 1914 to now.

Is it sending mixed signals/messages to the community?

The walls said the following things that are haunting the halls of CID:

"If you sign, your speech go bad!"

"Gallaudet is bad for you!"

"Now put your hands under your legs on chair!"

"Signing is for Indians!"

"Stop Signing"

"If you sign, you get hit by a ruler!"

"Put your hands down!"

"Signing is for birds"

It should be instead "Central Institute for Audism".

Paul's Commentary:

SOURDS DE LA COMMUNAUTÉ FRANÇAISE luttent contre Audisme!

2009-10-14T02:32:00.003-05:00

À nos frères et sœurs, la lutte contre Audisme:

Je tiens à féliciter votre communauté en France pour le fer de lance le lecteur de réduire Audisme.

Nous, en Amérique font de même! Nous allons penser à vous.

Nous allons tenir nos mains et de leur montrer que nous sommes d'un monde - une personne fière Deaf!

Réjouissons de faire plus de nouvelles de vos efforts, je le suis.

À la vôtre!

Paul

English Version: FRENCH DEAF COMMUNITY ARE FIGHTING AGAINST AUDISM!

To our brothers and sisters fighting against audism:

I want to congratulate your community in France for spearheading the drive to cut down audism.

We, in America are doing the same! We will be thinking of you.

Let's hold our hands together and show them we are of one world - a proud Deaf person!

Looking forward to getting more news from your endeavors, I am.

Cheers!

Paul

AUDISTS BRAINWASH THE DEAF

2009-09-22T02:27:00.007-05:00

According to the notes on researching for the upcoming film, I have noticed the methods laid out by AG Bell and his cronies.

They use and still use a systematic approach to deaf education and social lives. It is also called plantation mentality. This is another form of audism.

According to Dr. Harlan Lane's book, The Mask of Benevolence, audism is the hearing way of dominating, restructuring and exercising authority over the deaf.

This has proven time and time again when a deaf college student wrote her thesis about St. Louis and its services - it was called "the Nutshell Syndrome". There were a lot of hearing people making decision for deaf consumers where it affected the difficulties in handling the real needs of deaf consumers.

Brainwashing is a psychological way of reforming thought processes. It gave social influence that change people's attitudes. There were powers of compliances, persuasion and education. Education is viewed as "propaganda method" that brings influences to social behaviors.

"Do it" attitude is overused in making deaf children follow rules and behave the hearing way. This is a severe form of social influence to incorporate thinking without that person's consent and often against his or her will.

Likewise the Pavlov's dogs program (also brainwashing animals), the hearing people with audistic attitude are the ones who manipulate the deaf education.

The concept of brainwashing is when the agent (the brainwasher/teachers, counselors, parents, doctors, and audists ) has a complete control over the target (deaf children/brainwashees) so that the patterns depend on the will of the agent.

The method of brainwashing can vary at different programs around the country. They lack the real oversight committee to be comprised of 51% deaf people.

Deaf people are the true authoritians on deaf issues and policies affecting the deaf individuals from birth to grave. The manipulation by hearing people have hindered the goals of the deaf community for many years. This is why the leaders and advocates are working hard to reverse the trends of audism.

There are many times the hearing people tend to push deaf people one way to their way. It is either their way or the highway. This puts a lot of pressure on deaf individual seeking acceptance. What is the real beef in oppressing the true lives of the Deaf individuals? Brainwashing is another form they are using to deal with today's generation.

It is time to deprogram them using deaf advocacy and empowerment.

DMH FAILS TO FOLLOW UP ON DEAF COMMUNITY'S SUGGESTION!

2009-09-22T01:24:00.007-05:00

John Moore, Director of Deaf Mental Health Services (Columbus, Ohio) was the notable speaker at the Deaf Empowerment program. Kim Davis, the Workshop Coordinator for MCDHH looked on.

Nearly a year ago on October 11, 2008, we had a meeting. We had officials from DMH there. After John Moore finished the presentation and discussion, we opened up for more discussions about lack of mental health services in Missouri.

Most of the discussion focused on DMH (Missouri Department of Mental Health) and its failures to meet the real needs of the Deaf Community.

During our discussions, we found out that $539,000.00 had been appropriated for interpreting services alone.

We made recommendation that they halve the budget and hire four deaf mental health professionals. The deaf consumers would benefit greatly from having deaf mental health professionals.

Today is September 22, 2009! Nothing had developed and they have IGNORED our suggestions.

They even lied to us about hiring a replacement after Barry Critchfield left. I was on the committee and I saw with my own eyes that they would hire a deaf person to fill in that position.

Instead they hired an interpreter.

It is a BIG joke to the deaf community!

LIBBY POLLARD TO TRAIN ST. LOUIS DEAF COMMUNITY FOR LEADERSHIP AND PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES

2009-09-16T02:12:00.005-05:00

The workshop schedule:

Friday evening, October 2, 2009 - Leadership Training by Libby Pollard

6:30 p.m. to 9;30 p.m.

Saturday - all day , October 3, 2009 - Parliamentary Procedures Training by Libby Pollard.

Libby is a licensed Deaf parliamentarian. The workshop is conducted in American Sign Language.

8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Lunch will be sold.

Morning will be general discussion about parliamentary procedures and afternoon will be role playing and using mock meetings to play out the roles of each officer position.

The Leadership Training and Parliamentary Procedures Training will be presented at GSLAD in St. Louis, Missouri. GSLAD has hired Libby Pollard to come to help the deaf community learn to do a better job of leading organizations. The other organizations are invited to join GSLAD in the learning process of improving running the meetings and build a better relations among the community.

The following organizations are welcome to join GSLAD in this endeavor:

Missouri Association of the Deaf
St. Louis Chapter of Missouri Association of the Deaf and other chapters in Missouri
RTR/DCC - St. Louis Metropolitan Round Table of Representatives/Deaf Community Center
St. Louis Bell Club

and other organizations that serve the deaf and hard of hearing are welcome, too. There are about 70 organizations.

Any questions, feel free to email to Paul Kiel, the workshop coordinator at myfavalworld@aol.com

Seats are limited.

Refreshments will be served Friday evening.

Box lunch will be sold for $6.00

Cash bar will be open both nights.

The workshop is at

GSLAD
2190 Creve Coeur Mill Road
Maryland Heights, Missouri 63043

Seats are limited.

First Come - First Served.

Special needs need to be arranged by September 30th.

The deadline to accept registration is September 30th.

Thank you!

FLASHBACK: CHANGING TIMES AT DEAF INSTITUTE

2009-09-06T13:45:00.008-05:00

Paul telling the St. Louis Post Dispatch reporter about how audistic CID was during CID Protests that brought Jean Moog down. She was fired. All the hoopla at CID. I tried to ask for replacement of hearing teachers with deaf teachers, have 51% deaf on the board, and incorporate the use of ASL in classrooms.

From St. Louis Post Dispatch, April 21, 1996 - Letters to Editor:

Changing Times at Deaf Institute:

It is time for changes at CID (Central Institute For the Deaf). Too much money is spent on researching when it is cheaper to have basic programs for the deaf.

It is time to reverse the Milan Conference of 1880 where A.G. Bell succeeded in banning the use of sign language in classrooms. It has proven to be a total failure, as stated by the President's Commission on the Education of the Deaf of 1988. It will save time and money using total communication.

Having pure oralism philosophy is not helping thousands of deaf children around the country. And cochlear implanting of deaf children should be stopped until they reach mature age of reasoning and responsibility.

Oral deaf people have higher mental health problems than the deaf who have accepted American Sign Language. Why do we have to struggle to get as much as 30 percent on lipreading, and it takes 70 percent of guesswork to complete the communication process?

American Sign Language is a solution to our needs.

It is time to stamp out audism. Audism, as stated in Dr. Harlan Lane's book, "The Mask of Benevolence," is the corporate institution for dealing with deaf people.

In short, audism is the hearing way of dominating, restructuring and exercising authority over the deaf.

As George Veditz, the deaf advocate, said in 1880, "Sign Language is the noblest gift God has given to the deaf!" Why deprive deaf children of the right to use the natural language of the deaf?

Paul J. Kiel
St. Louis

Seeking stories from your experiences of audism...

2009-09-04T02:12:00.004-05:00

Looking for individuals who have experienced audism in schools, homes, employment and life. Please limit to three minutes of a story with introduction, body and conclusion formats.

For more information, please contact by e-mail at myfavaslworld@aol.com.

The production is progressing and the timetable runs from October 2009 to August 2010.

The deadline to submit your stories is September 30, 2009.

Thank you,

Paul Kiel
Dirctor/Producer
AUDSIM:1880-2010

Please remove T. Alan Hurwitz from the list of finalists

2009-09-03T12:50:00.006-05:00

Paul Kiel in front of CID protesting about audism practices. Celebrating for Audism Free America (April 2009)

My fellows in Deaf Advocacy:

I do not see any reason for T. Alan Hurwitz to be the finalist for the presidency of Gallaudet University. I rather he stay at NTID. He has audism links.

His sister-in-law runs CID. It is audism place. I have tried for years to tell Alan that CID needed to change to meet the true needs of deaf children. I have tried to ask the alumni association to consider following Gallaudet University's standards in including deaf people in decision making process as well as in deaf education.

I divorced myself from CID and CIDAA a long time ago back in 1980 when I found out about audism through Deaf Heritage written by Jack Gannon. I have tried for many years since 1980 to advocate for the changes.

When Gallaudet had Deaf President Now in 1988, I recommended the same changes apply to CID. I was persistent to the point of being threatened with a lawsuit. Some people were pissed off at me for reminding about audism and how the policies were audism related.

I still continue to this day to remind my friends that I will NOT tolerate any audism at that school or anywhere. So it means until Alan listens to the deaf community. Then he may have chance at the next round.

I did fax to him at hotel few times in the past reunion when he was in St. Louis about reminding him that CID business is not done until we address audism issues.

With recent matter at NTID regarding AG Bell plaque - I was told by my source that it is hanging in Speech/Hearing Department at NTID. I was unable to verify that so I will keep at it.

My apologies to Alan for my stand against audism! I prefer someone with no links to audism to run Gallaudet University!

Thank you,

Paul Kiel
September 3, 2009

** This is my personal opinion and I am entitled to speak out in combating audism at every nook and cranny.

Paul Kiel's Commentary about Gallaudet's 4 Finalists...

2009-09-03T03:24:00.006-05:00

A video commentary about Gallaudet's 4 Finalists.

MISSOURI DEAF COMMUNITY BURNS WHILE KEITH FIDDLES AT DMH!

2009-09-01T20:34:00.025-05:00

Analysis of DMH at present

With recent developments going on at DMH, it continues to do more window dressings.

There is no meat in the program despite its so-called efforts to appease the deaf community by throwing in a few treats.

Likewise Nero fiddled while Rome burned in 64 A.D., this is similar to what Keith Schafer, the top honcho at Missouri Department of Mental Health, is doing - still fiddling while the Missouri Deaf community suffers.

Reflection of a year ago

About a year ago on September 11, 2008, Ella Eakins made a good presentation.

Her pointers were:

a. For the past five months, we have all been sitting together at the table to discuss what needs to be done.

b. We identified problems and barriers.

c. We wrote out a plan for the future and figured out how much money it will take to make that plan work.

d. Ella took out the stack of papers compiled since 1998.

e. Ella showed the paperwork done by groups for the past 10 to 15 years. There were town meetings, focus groups and cultural competence groups.

f. We have received reports, memos and budgets.

g. DMH kept asking, "Tell us what Deaf people need"

h. Again and again we showed DMH what works in South Carolina and Alabama.

i. DMH kept saying, "Let's set up a committee to talk about what Deaf people need."

j. The plan in South Carolina and Alabama appears the same as we drafted.

k. We have told DMH what deaf people needed.

1. Direct Care Services in Larger Communities or Regions;

2. Video Intervention;

3. Alcohol and Drug Treatment

l. We need inpatient care for people with serious mental illness.

m. We need professionals that are ASL-Fluent trained.

n. We need counseling, education and other mental health support services provided in a visual form that we can understand.

o. We need therapists and case managers as well as outpatient services.

p. Our deaf citizens are sitting in jails, hospitals, living on streets and lacking support services.

q. Some deaf citizens are fighting for their lives.

r. Some deaf children are horribly abused and neglected. Parents are in anquish and families are breaking up.

She also showed a chart of a circle of activities made in a loop. Going around and around.. .nothing happened.

1. Crisis
2 Media Attention
3. Guilt
4. Form a committee
5. Set up a focus group
6. Hold Town Hall meetings
7. Summarize list of barriers to Deaf Services
8. Submit Budget Request
9. Deny Budget Request
10. Window Dressing

It is in a loop over and over without any concrete results or solutions.

FLASHBACK TO OCTOBER 12, 2008

DMH (Missouri Department of Mental Health) had indicated that it spends $539,000.00 a year on interpreting services alone for the deaf and hard of hearing. This proved that they were mishandling the funds the wrong way. They failed to allocate the money for deaf professionasl who were available and ready to work with deaf clients needing mental health services.

They ignored our request to have them hire 4 deaf professionals. The cost of hiring deaf professionals can average $40,000 per professional. Take that and multiply by 4 and it equals $160,000.00. That would be roughly $200,000.00 (including benefits up to $10,000 each) per year and the rest of funds may be used for hiring interpreters. We prefer that they hire deaf professionals using that money.

They have chosen to use sign language interpreters again and again the past few years. I am not surprised about what happens in 2010! They continue to lie to us about what they are doing.

The deaf members of committee had worked hard to get the results and the DMH continue to "oppress" the progress.

The interpreters need to help us by refusing to work for DMH and force them to hire deaf professionals. One way or another, we need to show them we mean business. It will be helpful if those interpreters can turn down the assignments to force DMH to do something different.

No, it is some interpreters accepting assignments in "conflict" with code of ethics.

Also, it shows DMH reeks of audism when they refuse to hire any deaf professionals. They have only focused on interpreters only the past few years. What is their excuse? They continue to ignore deaf community requests.

DMH Commissioners ignored our requests.

I have written letters to Commissioners that oversee DMH. I requested replacements of Keith Schafer and Stephanie Winslow. They "refused" to do it. Now it is time to request again that the DMH Commissioners replace the three following people - Keith Schafer, Director of DMH, Lynn Carter, Deputy Director of DMH and Stephanie Winslow, the Deaf Program Coordinator.

Or perhaps replace the whole DMH Commission as they continue to ignore our requests. They lied to us last September when they agreed to do it. Nothing happened.

The following people need to be reminded that they are not doing their jobs when we do NOT have any services for deaf in mental health care. Sarcastically, they have this message on the website http://www.dmh.mo.gov/diroffice/commission/commission.htm which read,"The Commission, by law, must include an advocate of community mental health services, a physician who is an expert in the treatment of mental illness, a physician concerned with developmental disabilities, a member with business expertise, an advocate of substance abuse treatment, a citizen who represents the interests of consumers of psychiatric services, and a citizen who represents the interests of consumers of developmental disabilities services.

Tell those members that we do need deaf representation on the commission. Let's E-mail the Commissioners at MHCommission@dmh.mo.gov.

The present commissioners according to the website are:

Beth Viviano, Patricia Bolster, Kathy Carter, David Vlach, Joan Leykam and Dennis Tesreau

They have NO experience in deaf culture and even not using sign language. This is why we are suffering.

The Mental Health Commission, composed of seven members, appoints the director of the Department of Mental Health with confirmation by the state Senate. Commissioners are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor, again with the confirmation of the Senate. The commissioners serve as principle policy advisors to the department director.

DAC - Deaf Advisory Committee appears to be a tokenism for DMH as they did not listen to the suggestions of deaf leaders on DMH.

Even one person kept asking for names of so-called professionals to help deaf patients, the list was given but it was not the kind of list we needed for deaf patients. The list included an office more than 500 miles from here. The list did not show any true deaf professionals. DMH continues to outsource the services.

The BIG picture is that DMH continues to favor spending ONLY on INTERPRETERS!

My past experiences with DMH

I used to work with the past administrators of Deaf program at DMH. It was cordial and not problematic.

It became problematic when the first administrator decided to leave when DMH refused to honor the request by Deaf community to set up a 10 bed facility for deaf patients. They went out to shut down several deaf programs in the state without any reasonable accomodations or back up plans to help deaf patients. They simply slammed the door in deaf people's faces.

Then the second administrator of deaf program tried to follow the same steps as the first administrator. I was on the committee to help him reach the goals. DMH continue to block any progress or plans we envisioned for deaf patients.

Then in plans for looking for third administrator, we asked for the following requests. Keith agreed with us at that time.

Keith "promised" us that we will hire deaf person.
Keith "promised" to put out employment notice to hire one in all deaf media publications.
Keith "promised" to enable the program to continue.
Keith "promised" to work with us in reaching the goals that we envisioned.

All the promises have been broken.

Keith did NOT hire a deaf person - instead he hired an interpreter to fill in a mental health position. He even hired the interpreter before the job announcement expired. I was told that he hired someone before the deadline date of September 30, 2008. He did NOT wait for us to have opportunity to do more in terms of searching for more deaf individuals. The past activity of meeting with prospective candidates were controlled by Keith. He did NOT listen to the committee. He ignored their pleas in not hiring the individual that Keith wanted.

Keith did not submit job listings to media outlets such as Gallaudet University, NTID, CSUN, Signews and the other media sources.

Keith did not continue the program we wanted.

Keith continues to break his promises.

Why does Keith Schafer continue to ignore the real needs of Deaf community?

Keith Schafer is hearing impaired himself. He wears hearing aid. Why can't he understand the deaf culture? He used to set up the deaf program after a deaf man committed suicide in Kansas City in mid 1990s. (If I recall). He came back to help DMH out of his retirement recently. I think it is time for him to retire as his services are NOT helping the Deaf community at all.

SUGGESTIONS FOR ACTIONS TO REMEDY THE PROBLEMS AT DMH

1. Write letters to DMH Commissioners seeking removal of Keith Schafer, Lynn Carter and Stephanie Winslow.

2. Request that DAC (Deaf Advisory Committee) take an active role in replacing Stephanie Winslow with a more qualified deaf professional to handle the needs of mental health services for the deaf and hard of hearing.

3. Implement the programs as envisioned by the deaf committee.

4. Install a Deaf member of DMH Commissioners to help balance the needs of deaf patients.

5. Develop sensitivity training for all DMH personnel from top to bottom to teach them about our deaf culture.

The Conclusion

I had been quiet for the past few months as I decided to step back out and look at the big picture. It is very unfortunate how DMH plays politics with life and death of our deaf peers.

To this day, we are still NOT getting anything from DMH.

No case manager? No treatment plans? No qualified staff that are trained in ASL and Deaf Culture? Deaf Missourians are still NOT getting mental health services for the past year.

It is that the Missouri laws forbidding anyone to hire interpreter from out of state. I understood that DMH was planning to use VI (video interpreting). If they consider contracting with out of state interpreting services. It is in clear violation of Missouri Law as it requires that they have Missouri credentials to do the job. Please keep your eyes out on the upcoming legal proceedings in Jefferson City. They probably want to get around the law to do that.

We need to have a registry of qualified mental health professionals who are deaf, asl trained and deaf cultured. We will welcome any hearing professionals who are fluent in ASL We do not need the fake list that contained names of so so people. The last list showed people from KC, VR, MSD, etc. That's not true mental health professionals.

We want the real meat so where is the beef?

At the last check, there are several deaf people suffering from lack of mental health services...

one lady needing help at a mental ward, but the staff continue to ignore her requests, keep drugging her into senseless and not listening to advocate's pleas to modify the care....

one man needing communication has his hands tied to bed as the nurse refused to accept advocate's advise to hire interpreters to communicate and that nurse continue to refuse to listen to advocates... the poor man is suffering and his hands are still tied to bed at this time of writing...

some deaf families are going through difficult times due to bad economy, loss of jobs, marital problems, child care issues, money management lacking and they keep falling through cracks...

there are some deaf adults contemplating suicide and there are no preventive measures to help them....

There are no support programs to enable them to help themselves....

Keith continues to fiddle while the Missouri Deaf Community burns!

WHO's definition of mental health

According to World Health Organization (WHO), it defines mental health as "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."

Cultural differences, subjective assessments, and competing professional theories all affect how "mental health" is defined.

In the Deaf World, we view hearing people as audists - they do not respect our deaf culture - they make wrong assessments as trying to eradicate deaf from societial associations, and they practice oppression by defining who deaf people are according to hearing terms.

Disclaimer:

The words are mine. I am saying it from my heart. I have spent over 30 years in mental health programs and services. I have been in mental health programs a few times. I know what it is like to needing mental health services. My concerns are valid as I have seen and known enough people who have committed suicide. I used to consider suicide when I was younger twice. I am still here today as I want to help deaf consumers receive proper mental health care. It is hard enough how the hearing people continue to oppress deaf people in mental health.

September 1, 2009

OVER 1,000 DEAF ATTENDED STL DEAFESTIVAL!!

2009-09-01T10:08:00.025-05:00

Last Saturday, August 29, 2009 was a special day for St. Louis, Missouri. It was STL Deafestival 2009! It was coordinated by RTR/DCC group. The committee worked hard for several years to make that day a special one. With over 1,000 deaf people coming, it made the day successful one! It was loaded with fun and good times! Kudos to RTR/DCC.

For more information on RTR/DCC - go to rtr-stl.org or stldeafestival.org

A smiling attendee is going inside Kirkwood Community Center to see the Deafestival.

It was great to see Ken Davis and Michi from Deaf Newspaper at the festival!

The room is turning into a can of sardines with so many people.

Fred the Bird from St. Louis Cardinals and Paul Kiel gave thumbs up!

Steve Korb and his wonderful show of birds - a fantastic show!

Whooooo! Oooops! The owl is giving us dirty looks!

Magic Morgan and his wonderful show of magic!

The crowd was waiting for the next show... SHOWTIME!

Roger Vass and Lisa McBee gave performances. They are fun to watch!

That was the wonderful committee working hard for past few years to make this day a success one. Thanks to you, the visitors for making it happen!

CJ Jones Live doing funny performance with audience members. He brought down the house!

CJ Jones giving details about how he was raised and how he loved to do performances. KUDOS to CJ Jones!

Well, it ain't over! Come back in 2013! We will do it again! Watch http://www.stldeafestival.org or rtr-stl.org for updates!

Some hearing people are greatest liars...

2009-08-26T14:32:00.006-05:00

from a recent news source:
" ( a hearing woman ) the associate professor of otolaryngology at Duke University Medical Center, who said children who receive cochlear implants "are mainstreamed in school. They do beautifully. These kids won't need sign language."

Someone is spinning lies!

After 40 years of working with deaf clients in variety of social services, I have seen mainstreamed students suffer at the hands (pardon the pun) of hearing people. This woman from Duke University claims that deaf children mainstreamed in school do beautifully and do not need sign language. She is twisting the truth.

That means boldly and loudly that she may be telling lies.

There is no such thing as doing beautifully in mainstreamed programs.

I can vouch for what I have seen at a local mainstream program where my friends work there as teachers. They have seen enough to wonder why the system is so barbaric. We have seen children with cochlear implants being dropped off by parents. Then they take off the devices and throw them in the backpacks. Then they feel "normal" with other deaf peers in classrooms. Then at the end of the day, they grudgingly put devices back on in time for their parents to pick them up after school.

What does that imply? It shows how bossy parents were! That is the fault of AG Bell and his cronies!

There is unusually high number of deaf students with mental health problems as a result of failed policies.

The kids do need sign language. LIke George Veditz said, sign language is God's noble gift to the deaf community.

It is even ridiculous to force deaf children to be like hearing children.

Some Hearing people are just plain selfish and too self centered to care about the real needs of deaf people including deaf children. This is why they are called audists.

Why sweep truth and facts under the carpet?

If you can study history, then you can write down the time line from the beginning to today.

The common denominator of the history is audism at all levels.

Flip through pages of history books, notes, stories, legends, etc to get into deeper understanding of deaf culture.

Laurent Clerc was the father of ASL and he helped many deaf people gain employment through schools, communities and life.

Look what AG Bell and his cronies have done since 1880!

What have they done? Flip through history by reading all news accounts and do more research into the past.

You will find audism was reeking everywhere.

Guess who started it?

Yes, your buddy, Alexander Graham Bell had been pushing hard to remove deaf from the face of Earth.

Do you support his sins? Do you want to further his goals of elimination of deaf from the human race?

So whatever you do in the name of Alexander Graham Bell, you are greatest liar!

You know in your heart about your selfish amibtions and how ignorant you are in trying to control deaf people.

You are simply ruining the Deaf lives!

Look at this picture above that I found on internet.

A happy childhood for those who love sign language. So it has to be pre 1880 resolutions that ruined our lives.

It is time to draw the line in the sand and tell those selfish hearing people that their days are numbered!

~ ~ Thou shall not curse the deaf...

2009-08-24T17:28:00.004-05:00

Hello readers and friends who are helping cut down audism in deaf communities:

Please tell the hearing people wherever you are that they have been ignoring this verse...

"Thou shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear thy God; I am the Lord"
Leviticus 19:14 King James Version

This was my response to Jim's DEEP Thoughts: (you can visit his blog at http://jimspoliticalthoughts.blogspot.com/2009/08/deaf-culture-and-alexander-graham-bell.html)

""This is a very good and diplomatic article. I am glad that you looked into this matter of audism.

I have to say for more than 40 years that diplomacy does not work in fighting against audism.

We simply need laws with more teeth and state commissions for the deaf as well as advocacy groups to combat audism.

It is frustrating trying to tell truth when "money talks" in sinful ways. Cochlear implant companies have destroyed many Deaf lives in the last 25 years and they continue to sweep them under the rug.

I do not believe that science can resolve in restoring hearing or making a deaf person hearing.

It is merely an expensive amplification device.

Despite all the lectures, research, and printed media, the companies continue to harvest the deaf community for unwilling, uneducated and passive deaf individuals.

The peer pressures and the system of cognitive control are the culprits of audism.

Mark my words! Those hearing people will face the maker at the end and be reminded of these words He put in the good book.

"Leviticus 19:14 - Thou shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind, but shall fear your God: I am the LORD."

It is simple and those hearing people have ignored this verse since 1880.

We have to continue combating audism!

Thank you for bringing this subject up!

Have a good one!

Sincerely,

Paul Kiel
St. Louis, Missouri""

COME AND MEET US IN ST. LOUIS IN TIME FOR DEAFESTIVAL!

2009-08-23T00:57:00.003-05:00

Come and meet us in St. Louis this coming Saturday, August 29, 2009 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Check it out at www.stldeafestival.org!

9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Exhibitors (Small Gym); 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Entertainers (Big Gym): 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

10:30 a.m. - National Association of the Deaf

11 a.m. - Scomm

11:45 a.m. - Missouri Association of the Deaf

12:45 p.m. - RelayMO

2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Steve Korb's Feathered Creatures Show

4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Magic Morgan Show

5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. - (Dinner/Social) at the Pavilion

7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. - Roger Vass and Lisa McBee Show

9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. - CJ Jones Live Show

FREE ADMISSION! FREE ADMISSION!

Come and visit GSLAD/MOVRS/ZVRS booth in the Large Gym all day from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.!

Check it out at www.stldeafestival.org!

Why is there apathy in Deaf communities?

2009-08-18T02:55:00.010-05:00

Why is there apathy in Deaf communities?

Apathy is "absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement. It can be lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting." (from Dictionary.com)

Reasons:

lack of strategic planning?

lack of leadership training?

lack of motivational programs?

lack of incentives to move things forward?

lack of knowledge in combating audism?

lack of trust in peer groups?

lack of planning ways and means to ensure the deaf culture's life?

Solutions:

It is time to put down our swords and knives and sit down at a round table.

We can bring issues to the table and resolve them with intelligence.

We can apply plan of work principles.

We can demonstrate plan of action and evaluate our accomplishments.

This is where we need to turn 360 degrees and move on!

Results:

The deaf community can thrive!

The deaf community gains equal communications.

The respect is improved among peers and associates.

So long, my old friend, Terry Ann (Thompson) Brignole!

2009-08-18T02:17:00.008-05:00

A copy of newspaper of Terry demonstrating the use of teletype. ( I believe it was Model 15 ) - in 1972. Thank you, Blake Newman for sharing the copy.

Finding out that my old friend, Terry Ann (Thompson) Brignole had departed this life. I shed some tears because it brought me back to the old days.

We were small children and we were in car pool attending oral school program. We used to ride mornings and afternoons back and forth for sometime. We were normal children having fun. We did not know we were deaf. Just being in an environment where it was safe. Her mother and my mother would sit down and share news and drink some coffee.

Then years later she left to go to state school for deaf and I continued on to public schools. We drifted apart for while.

Right out of high school in 1971 she contacted me and wanted some assistance with English with some deaf friends. She asked me to help them. I obliged to do and I realized there was deaf world. I was raised in oral philosophy. I learned sign language late at 17 then added more through the years with numerous friends gatherings. She wanted to see better services.

This picture above was a beginning of deaf advocacy through her mother and the actions of Terry and friends. I remember it like yesterday. We were so young and we were excited about getting a tty. I used to come over Terry's many times cuz we lived in Webster Groves. It was fun bicycling over to see her and chat. Her home was a party place where many deafies through the years came.

She was even prouder when her mother ran St. Louis Hearing and Speech Center. Her mother and father tried their best to see that deaf adults and children have better lives. Her father was a State Representative. Her mother was on state school board for sometime. They led very active lives and still had time for deaf people. They often showed up at deaf functions.

Of course, we had ups and downs when it came to leadership issues and getting advocacy. We worked together in raising funds and set up programs and activities for about a decade at the Center. It was fun and challenging.

I saw her the last time at GSLAD about several weeks ago. After all these years, I realized it would be the last time I see her. I gave her a hug and hold a few moments embrace. I thank her for giving me insight into deaf advocacy.

The bottom line is that she did her time on Earth. She is to be remembered for her good deeds. She has always had a "Thompson" smile!

Paul's Note: She ought to be inducted into Deaf Hall of Fame. In my eyes, she is one of unsung heroes.

AUDISM IS RAMPANT IN 2058!

2009-08-16T23:03:00.004-05:00

Deafiasl was on a mission through space and time from 2058. He brings a warning about audism and oppression still existing 50 years from now. Time for advocacy and action!

AUDISTS ARE USING COGNITIVE CONTROL OF DEAF CHILDREN!

2009-08-16T21:24:00.005-05:00

After talking with a peer about his involvement in oral school program, it dawned me on that word, "Cognitive Control". That is a fact when hearing persons control the minds of deaf students in deaf education and lives. It is mapping out deaf lives on hearing terms. This is what Deafhood advocates are educating about "colonialism". It is same thing. This is how and why the hearing people are striving to control the system.

Cognitive is about the mental processes of perception, memory, judgement, and reasoning, as contrasted with emotional and volitional processes.

This is how and why audists are controlling the mental processes of deaf children in their early years.

This is why the mental health problems are higher among oralists and those in mainstreamed programs. When audists are in control, there is no true Deaf identity. It is lost and shattered.

How can you put a broken vase back together to the same originality?

It is time to deprogram them. Stop them from brainwashing poor deaf children. We need to stand up and tell them to stop practicing audism!

For example, all oral programs have hearing people on the board. That does not represent a 51% majority for the deaf community. It is illegal process. It is not even democratic. This is viewed as totalarism.

We need to be proactive and reverse the trend of audism.

AUDISM: 1880 - 2010 - a film documentary

2009-08-16T17:33:00.005-05:00

AUDISM:1880-2010

Release Date: First week of September 2010 (St. Louis, MO)

Genre: Documentary

Tagline: A historical documentary of 130 years of abuses and negligence

Plot: A documentary of deaf experiences from the resolutions made in 1880 to today's issues of audism

Director/Producer Paul Kiel is weaving the stories from the humble beginnings of deaf culture with his personal experiences being deaf in hearing world. A longtime advocate for the deaf rights, Kiel presents a wide array of facts and stories collected from many deaf people who took the time to tell stories. AUDISM: 1880 - 2010 is not about problems of deafness but rather a truth about how deaf people can think and act. "We need to educate those with pathological views to change their views to positive views. This film will also educate others that we can function like them except to hear. We humbly ask for equal access to communications," said Kiel.

~ SHOW ME DEAF COMMUNITY ~ by Paul J Kiel

ARE WE EXPERIENCING STOCKHOLM SYNDROME?

"GERALD" DESERVES AN OSCAR!

FLASHBACK: Tampa's First International Deaf Film Festival (2004)

DEAF ADVOCACY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS IN THE 21st CENTURY...

*** MORE DEAF BLOOD ON DMH'S HANDS! ***

~Will Dr. Hurwitz help combat audism? ~

CONGRATS TO ALAN! Isn't it ironic how CID thought??

SOURDS DE LA COMMUNAUTÉ FRANÇAISE luttent contre Audisme!

AUDISTS BRAINWASH THE DEAF

DMH FAILS TO FOLLOW UP ON DEAF COMMUNITY'S SUGGESTION!

LIBBY POLLARD TO TRAIN ST. LOUIS DEAF COMMUNITY FOR LEADERSHIP AND PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES

FLASHBACK: CHANGING TIMES AT DEAF INSTITUTE

Seeking stories from your experiences of audism...

Please remove T. Alan Hurwitz from the list of finalists

Paul Kiel's Commentary about Gallaudet's 4 Finalists...

MISSOURI DEAF COMMUNITY BURNS WHILE KEITH FIDDLES AT DMH!

OVER 1,000 DEAF ATTENDED STL DEAFESTIVAL!!

Some hearing people are greatest liars...

~ ~ Thou shall not curse the deaf...

COME AND MEET US IN ST. LOUIS IN TIME FOR DEAFESTIVAL!

Why is there apathy in Deaf communities?

So long, my old friend, Terry Ann (Thompson) Brignole!

AUDISM IS RAMPANT IN 2058!

AUDISTS ARE USING COGNITIVE CONTROL OF DEAF CHILDREN!

AUDISM: 1880 - 2010 - a film documentary

* MORE DEAF BLOOD ON DMH'S HANDS! *