As I attend more and more furry conventions, and meet more and more new awesome people, I have noticed there are commons questions asked by them. I thought I would post the commons questions asked, and the answers here. That way, it will be easier for you to learn more about who I am, and my deafness. I hope by doing this, I am helping making our interactions more easier and fun.

Q: Can you read lip?
A: Sometime, it really depends. I can catch some common phases (like How are you, etc.), and if I know what is the context, i can fill out the blanks. If I don't, it will be harder for me to understand. Sometime it does take time for me to figure out what you are trying to say. There are some people that I can read very well because I know them on a personal level.
Here is a good example of lip reading going wrong: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRqKYXcL-2U

Q: Were you born deaf? How did you become deaf?
A: Just like lady gaga sang, I was born that way! Really, I were born as a very healthy baby. It just happened that my ears is broken.

Q: I do not know sign language? How the hell can I communicate with you?
A: Welcome to the era where technology make things easier. There are tons of way, old fashioned way and new way.

If you have phone, there are a wonderful application called “notepad” use it.
Texting. We can trade numbers and text back and forth
Twitter/DM. “ “ “ name “ DM “ “ “
Skype
Paper and Pen.
Gesture. (ex. Drink. Food.)
Mouthing (lip reading, see Q re: lip reading)

Keep in mind, I am not forcing you to do them, but, it does make a big difference in making it fun. I am willing to work with you on how we can communicate with each other. I am super patience on this one. If I can see you are trying to communicate with me, it does get me excited and I will make sure to make you smile. Guaranteed. Or free beer on me.

My only request is to treat me as normal person who happen not to be able to hear. I am not asking you to look down but rather, look at me as one of your peer.

Q: Now that I met you, I really wanted to learn how to sign! Where can I start?
Thats awesome, and im glad you think im awesome enough to motivate you to learn ASL! First, I strongly suggest you to learn fingerspelling. Because if I sign something and you do not get it. I will fingerspell the word out, so you can get what I am trying to say.
http://www.lifeprint.com/asl101/top.....wallpaper1.htm

Note to International Furs: This only apply to USA. If you met a deaf fur that is from out of USA, please ask them which sign language they use. One other common language i know is BSL (UK Sign):
http://www.british-sign.co.uk/bsl-b.....1350388297.png

Be sure to PRACTICE it when you can! Example: you can just drive by, and see random billboard, or shopping and see a brand, fingerspell it out!

Once you are become comfortable with fingerspell, here is some books and websites you can learn about ASL:
http://www.amazon.com/American-Sign.....dp/0071759328/
http://www.amazon.com/American-Lang.....dp/0062736345/
http://lifeprint.com/asl101/pages-l.....t/concepts.htm
http://lifeprint.com/asl101/lessons/lessons.htm

One warning: Like with other languages, there are “accents” that I may not recongize, so if I do not get what you were signing, let me know, and I ll let you know what is the sign I use. In fact, there are 6 different sign of “run”!

Once you learned them, and wanted to practice with me. Skype me! (or other deaf furry of your choice)

Q: So how do you participate dance/music if you are deaf?
A: While I can’t hear, my other four sense do get heighted. I feel vibration from music. When I do, I dance pretty dangy good. If I am able to identify the pattern/rhythms, then I do well. In fact playing that dance game on xbox one with one of my friend, they were shocked I danced that well!

Q: How do you ever get by fine with your life being deaf?! I feel so sorry for you for missing out music?!
A: Honey, I have lived my whole life being deaf. I just get by just fine. I just smile and keep going with my life. I mean, there is nothing we can be sad about, and try to make the best out of it. It is more of looking at the glass half full, than half empty, yes? As for music. I never really understand how music would be “beautiful” I could say that I feel sorry for you for missing out how beautiful the visual is out there. Light show <3 Waterfall <3 Nature <3

Q: I wanna learn more about “deaf”
A: you can alway chat with me. I am an open book. No questions will be considered offended when it come to your curiousity of my experience as deaf furry. There are several good movies/shows that includes few reference, giving you idea of how it is.

Movies:
The Hammer
Children of Lesser God
Mr. Holland's Opus

TV Show:
Star Trek TNG S2 E5
Switched at Birth

I am sure there ll be more questions, and I ll update this, but for now, I think it’s good. Now where’s the room party?! I need a drink

Mori

PS> usually, when I get drunk I become TOO friendly.