The Ragin' Cajun
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Browse Full-length Non-member Titles![An outdoor image of a house built over still water and surrounded by trees. Caption. Eventually found a new home in French-speaking Louisiana.](https://org-dcmp-staticassets.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/posterimages/4600_1.jpg)
Neurologist/author Oliver Sacks tells the story of Danny Delcambre, a Cajun chef, who suffers from Usher Syndrome, a congenital condition where people are born deaf and then gradually lose their sight. Explores the nature of deaf culture and the richness of American Sign Language, which includes a touch-based variation called "tactile signing." Reveals a portrait of a community of deaf-blind people who find strength in facing the future together. A BBC production.
Media Details
Runtime: 50 minutes 34 seconds
- Topic: Deaf Life, DeafBlind Life, Health and Safety
- Subtopic: Deaf - General, Deaf History, DeafBlind - General, Diseases and Conditions
- Grade/Interest Level: 9 - 12
- Standards:
- Release Year: 1996
- Producer/Distributor: Films For The Humanities & Sciences
- Report a Problem
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Silent Darkness
This video was exceptional. As a hearing person it provided great insight not only the Deaf Community but those with Usher's Syndrome and how they deal with it with a positive attitude. To date, this is the best video I've seen on those who are Deaf and who might also have this syndrome.
This is an honest but uplifting account of individuals with Usher syndrome. I show it once a semester to students who find it very informative. The content highlights the role of "community" in coming to terms with this disability.
To my knowledge, DCMP is the only source for The Ragin' Cajun, which I have found to be a very powerful teaching tool in my ASL Studies Program.
The Ragin' Cajun is an exemplary movie that gives a feel for the spirit of the Deaf Blind Community and their experiences that not only informs and inspires, but strongly motivates individuals to link to and want to provide a needed service of Deaf-Blind interpreting and Sighted Services that can offer individuals who are Deaf Blind and Dual Sensory impaired to contribute to providing a resource that can be used by this community to maximize their independence and, even more importantly, their impact on society in general. Oliver Sacks is both sensitive and insightful. He uses his unique candor to draw those unfamiliar with this community into its heart. The positive and culturally sensitive approach to this community offers all of us access to what can best be characterized as "Deaf Blind Gain."
This was a great piece of media to explain about Deaf Blind and Cajun culture. thank you
The Ragin' Cajun is a rare intimate look at the lives of people with Usher's Syndrome. It's interesting to contrast the somber tone and terminology used by Oliver Sachs with their smiling faces and successful lives of the Deaf-blind people he documents. This is great for Deaf Culture classes.