#actually mute

[zebulontheplanet]

I honestly have a lot of bitterness towards people who wish they were mute or nonverbal. And I get it, I really do. Everyone is allowed to feel what they feel.

But it’s brought up as “it must be so nice”. Which automatically lets me know that you have no idea what a nonverbal or mute person goes through and have this romanticized version of mutism and nonverbalism.

Because like…this isn’t glamorous. I am not the cool sexy mysterious nonverbal/mute person. I am the freak. I am the outcast. I am the loser. I am the bullied. I am the forgotten. I am the person who literally everyone undermines.

And I see this a lot in teens and young adults. Wishing that they were mute because they don’t like speaking, they don’t believe that they should speak, or whatever other reason. That IS depression. That is something that you should work through. Because going mute won’t help you at all. It WILL bring hardships. It WILL bring things you never even imagined.

This life isn’t great. It isn’t romantic. It isn’t some fairytale. It’s hard. It’s really hard. And yeah, I can talk a million times about how hard being nonverbal is. But I can also talk a million times about how GREAT being nonverbal is, and that’s ME. That’s for ME. It isn’t for you, and it isn’t for you to romanticize either.

So yeah, being mute/nonverbal SUCKS, and you shouldn’t romanticize it. But don’t be surprised when nonverbal/mute people say how much they love it either.

[owenthebunni]

Doctors are assholes.

Nearly every one I have been to has completely ignored me in favour of talking to my caretaker. Or treated me like a child. Most of the time both. I am mute. So they do not see me as a person. And I am also visibly disabled in other ways with my wheelchair. Which probably does not help.

It is so frustrating having this happen and not being able to type fast enough to tell them to knock it off.

But the last time I actually snapped at a medical professional over being ignored for half an hour I was labelled as "Gets angry easily". This is inaccurate. I was nice about it for half an hour. But because I am mute then it means I am rude. That might actually be on my records now.

[clownrecess]

Disablity aids are super cool.

You, and your aids look awesome, pretty/handsome/pleasant, and super rad.

I often feel embarrassed for wearing ear defenders, or for having a tablet harnessed around me but like?? That isnt what it is!! It is a disability aid. It is an AAC device. It is how I communicate, and there is no reason to he embarrassed by that.

[pigeonattacksquad]

Making jokes about a kid being mute is never okay

Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that makes speaking in certain situations extremely difficult. It's not a choice. It's not shyness. Drawing attention to a person’s silence or pressuring them to speak only increases anxiety and fear.

I hate family gatherings because there is always someone who makes fun of me for not speaking or draws attention to me because I spoke. I don’t like attention and nothing discourages me from speaking more than making it a big deal. My family treats it as a joke. Now I’m afraid to ask for help because I’m scared they’ll make fun of me or not take me seriously again. 

The way people react can make things easier or harder, so it's important to know what to do to help someone with selective mutism. Offering patience, understanding, and support can help create a safe environment where speaking feels less scary.

[gayfrogswithhats]

I wish that being mute wasn't seen as a problem to fix. I know there are plenty of people who are mute (to any level) and wish they could speak, but personally I don't really mind not speaking. Sure, things would be a lot easier if I could speak and I know I'm actually very lucky to have selective mutism and have the ability to recover and be able to speak in the future. But honestly I don't think it would impair my life that much if I just didn't speak again.

In my opinion, the world should be designed so that people don't have to speak to function in society. Plenty of people are mute as a result of injury or trauma or varying other reasons and that is often something that CAN'T be changed. And just like with any disability, anyone can become mute and have no say in it.

But when it comes to selective mutism or going non-verbal / semi-verbal it's often seen as something to fix. People talk about "when you can speak again" and, at least to me, it feels like a weird pressure and expectation. People expect you to get better, to leave this all behind and be "normal". And I get it, really I do. The world is designed for people who aren't disabled and people want your life to be easier and for you not to have to struggle with this. Therefore if you deal with muteness that isn't permanently inflicted, of course they expect that one day you'll be okay again and one day you'll speak and be normal and fit in like everyone else does.

To me though, I'd honestly prefer just being mute. I've been mute to some extent basically all of my life and that's what I'm most comfortable with. I don't really struggle anymore for being mute itself, more of how the rest of the world views it. I worry about being able to get a job in the future if I can't speak. People always talk about the importance of networking but many people are also prejudiced against muteness. I think I could manage daily life just fine and find work arounds for most things, but my main concern is with other people's judgement.

Why would they hire someone who can't speak when they can get someone with the same qualifications who can?

Anyway I just wish the world was less ableist.

[astridellejo]

Kitab - Assistive Technology

Transcript Below:

1. [pointing to my throat and left ear] Astrid: I can't use my voice anymore due to abductor spasmodic dysphonia. Astrid: Plus I have audio processing issues and actual hearing loss.

2. [signing: COMMUNICATE] Astrid: So I could use some assistive technology to help me communicate.

3. [wearing AirPods in a crowd - On the right, a maxed out volume in the red goes down to four pips of green on the right.] Astrid: The new Apple AirPods Pro 2 are apparently hearing aid quality. Astrid: I could use the noise cancelling to help me hear in crowded environments.

4. [holding an iPad Mini in my left hand and an Apple Pencil in my right hand] Astrid: The iPad Mini is my favorite iPad size. Astrid: And the new one is compatible with the Apple Pencil Pro.

5. [I'm writing on the iPad Mini while surrounded by paper notes] Astrid: Since I can't speak now, I could use this to write notes. Astrid: It saves paper and keeps my communication ephemeral, like speaking. Notes: Yeah, my voice is broken. - If you speak clearly. - I'd … a latte please. - Where is the bathroom? - I'm still learning ASL.

6. [enjoying music, represented by a staff of assorted notes floating up and away] Astrid: Of course, I can also use this for digital art and listen to music. Astrid: Bonus!

7. [Sarita is in a white dress and has her arms crossed. Astrid signs: YES] Sarita: You're just trying to justify dropping $1000 on fancy toys. Astrid: Well, I mean, yeah.

8. [Sarita still has her arms crossed. Astrid signs: DRAW] Sarita: Do you even have $1000? Astrid: Of course not! I draw comics and post them on the internet. How would I have money?!

[thatadhdmood]

you havent spoken since may of 2021? Dont u think you should start talking again?

i hate who i was before

caption: Rare picture of make up free el... but yeah its hard to look back at my past self. I hate who i was. And now that im happy even while being nonverbal im terrified to try speak again. I dont want to be reminded of how horrible my life had been. I feel safe in my silence.

[bunnyearslawyerpiglet]

"Because of you, I try my hardest to forget everything... because of you.." -Kelly Clarkson