Miss Deaf Texas Struck, Killed By Train

THE INDY CHANNEL ^ | 03-13-2006 | AP

[MinuteGal]

Why do I feel there's more to this story?

Leni

[Global2010]

What a beautiful name

TARA ROSE

[dead]

Yes, though fans of the sick and depraved 'darwin awards' will disagree with you and I.

If you really disagree with the concept of the Darwin Awards, what in God's name would possess you to even bring up the subject on a thread like this?

That's pretty sick.

[A CA Guy]

She must have been lost in though, because a train makes a lot of vibration.

How can she be walking near a railroad and not be watching?
Boyfriend troubles or family troubles making her less aware maybe?

Sad.

[TFFKAMM]

You mean that this might have been a not-completely-conscious suicide? It happens, especially among disabled people.

Whatever the cause, it's a sad story. Prayers for the soul of this young woman.

[furquhart]

Well, I'm a fan of the Darwin Awards.

But, given how pretty this girl was, she hardly seems to qualify as a candidate. Darwin Awards are for people who improve the human gene pool by removing themselves from it.

[Chena]

Just too sad for words. Prayers for her family and friends.

[notpoliticallycorewrecked]

but for the hearing impaired even a sidewalk can be dangerous

This can also be a problem with those that have SSD (Single Sided Deafness). My dear husband lost the hearing in his left ear to a brain tumor (acustic neuroma) in 2002.

Being able to hear from only one side has many complications. He cannot hear cars approaching him from the left. This is especially dangerous in a parking lot. Another issue with SSD is that you can hear a sound but you cannot identify the direction of that the sound, so if someone calls his name he cannot tell if they are on his right, left or behind him.

[dmw]

Yeah, I was wondering about that myself. I am profoundly deaf and use sign language (ASL) to communicate. Deaf people are very alert and aware of their surroundings, so for her to get hit by a train accidentally, I can't help but wonder if she purposely ended her life. Hope I am wrong, but the thought did occur to me.

[SteveMcKing]

If you really disagree with the concept of the Darwin Awards, what in God's name would possess you to even bring up the subject on a thread like this?

The conditional "if" you state has nothing to do with the "then" you accuse me of. Would you like to re-state your question more carefully?

[jess35]

If you are deaf and you're walking alongside railroad tracks, you're not exercising sound judgement. Pointing that out, isn't exactly a crime, is it?

[Mongeaux]

Ok, sorry but I HAVE to make these jokes, because let's face it - this is a Country Western Song!

"My Deaf Blonde Texas Beauty Pageant Queen Got Run Over By A Damned Ol' Train"

Somebody had to say it. I'm going to go hide now...

[dmw]

I am deaf and that is exactly my thoughts too. I am always very cautious when near train tracts, or crossing the street, as most deaf people are. Hope it wasn't suicide. Guess we'll know more of the story in a day or two.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I can't help but wonder if she purposely ended her life

She had everything going for her. Why would she just up and end her life?

Besides, women, even deaf women, don't purposefully get hit by trains or blow their brains out if they're contemplating suicide. They usually gulp down some pills.

[Rumple4]

I think that you'd be able to feel a train coming. Sounds like a suicide.

[vwunpimsmyride]

The kayaker that camped in a railroad tunnel that was run over by a train recently deserves the award instead!

[Ichneumon]

I would be alright with the darwin awards if they only applied to criminals, but unfortunately they also use "stupid people" stories. Seriously - why not just pick on retarded people if they're going to do that?

There's a difference -- retarded people can't help it, just as this woman couldn't help that she couldn't hear the train.

The point of the "Darwin Awards", however, is to boggle at people being so stupid that it's fatal even though they had brains as functional as the rest of us.

[trubluolyguy]

The kayaker that camped in a railroad tunnel that was run over by a train recently deserves the award instead!

---

And I did nominate him.

[dmw]

I could say the same about people who can hear. Are they using sound judgment when THEY walk alongside railroad tracts? Far more people who can hear have been killed by trains than deaf people have.

[trubluolyguy]

If you are deaf and you're walking alongside railroad tracks, you're not exercising sound judgement. Pointing that out, isn't exactly a crime, is it?

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Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.