I'm saying that there's something to be "lost" (or rather, could be, it's not like you can't speak ASL if you have your sense of hearing), not that it's to blame for the phenomenon. Whether or not something is worth preserving often gets lost in the shuffle. Someone blinding themselves isn't losing an identity, they're blinding themselves.
I don't agree with that. Coming from someone that is an outlier within that sort of thing. But I've seen people that have gone deaf utterly refuse to attempt to learn ASL or find methods that'll help them with "hearing" and vice-versa. So saying ASL is a cause for that sort of "proud"ness (or lack there-of) doesn't ring true to me.
It's different when you're born with a handicap. You don't view it as a difficulty because you don't allow yourself to. No one ever tells you it's okay to feel overwhelmed and you work to the best of the abilities you have to function as a complete person.
But to lose some level of perception that you previously relied on would have a traumatic effect. Or at least it should since it's something you utilized your whole life.That's why I don't understand this intentional disabling thing. It's also likely the reason her family is upset since they don't see how it could be justified.
Gender and sexuality are (I'm assuming again) probably largely determined by just genetic or hormonal factors. That makes sense and I know that today a homosexual or trans person could live as full a life as myself if it wasn't for cultural biases from their community.
But to lose a whole sense that you already had means you have to start a new identity.
