Walked away from all family but three people. My only regret is that I didn't do it earlier.

OPs family are stupid and sadly their attitude toward OP is not uncommon. It is so weird but some people think that deafness, wheelchair, blindness or some other physical difference makes a person stupid. smh Also weird, when two people don’t speak the same language so they start raising their voices when trying to communicate with each other.

Of course NTA. Op’s family really sucks, and they had every right to keep their daughter away from them.

Although I believe in second chances, your family has proven that they are incapable of compassion. My son attended a special education class because he had a learning disability (ASD.) One little boy in his class used a walker and had a feeding tube, but was just as intelligent and capable of communication as any other 5 year old. I asked why he was in the class. His nurse said "I don't know. For some reason the school thinks a physical disability translates to a mental disability." Last I heard, his parents had threatened the school with a discrimination lawsuit if they didn't allow their son to attend regular classes. I'm sorry your parents assumed that hearing loss translated to intelligence issues. Keep your daughter far away from them, but make sure to take steps to ensure they don't try to sue for custody or visitation rights.

The family were complete àssholes. Why shun your kid cuz they can’t hear? The daughter shouldn’t be around narcissistic people.

This is not about the deaf couple or the family. It is about the child. There does not seem to be a real game plan here. The couple had to know the family would find out about the child one way or another. The decision not to have them in her life is up to the parents for now, but I do think the couple should have just been upfront and honest. The child will grow up, and may want to know the family. At that point, the child will be an adult with tools to deal with the situation for themselves.

I have a friend who has a deaf son. He is also developmentally disabled. I love her so dearly. But she never bothered to teach him sign language or to learn it. I feel that when you do that you are further isolating the child. It's hard enough to get them to talk to us and to know what's going on. I hate to sound judgmental but, I just don't get it.

The best revenge is a life well lived. Better that you show them how well your life now, so they could understand their misunderstanding. Parents always seek the best for their child. True that they looked down at you before. Usually when you show how good your life now then they will start to appreciate. But of course that well being of your kids are paramount.

This kind of hits home for me. My parents and siblings are some of the most awesome and encouraging people ever. However, my dad's sisters and some of his other relatives were not that way. I have had anxiety probably ever since I was a little kid. I was also a sickly child. I had asthma and allergies and a whole host of other health issues. One of my major allergies is to cigarette smoke. All of my dad's siblings were smokers and knew that they couldn't smoke around me. Their solution for being able to smoke in my grandmother's house without making me sick was to make me go outside. Anytime they lit up a cigarette while I was visiting my grandmother, I had to go stand outside until they were done. Neither of my parents liked this, but they didn't want to cause an argument so they just had me go outside, but would go with me. 1/2

It’s good for kids to have family and friends outside of the parents but not good to subject them to bad nasty family who are unsupportive, disrespectful and negative

When you don't make any effort then don't be surprised you are excluded. My heart bleeds for what this man went through as a child. Even if they took care of his physical needs, that is still child neglect and abuse. But to continue with that attitude after proving them wrong about his intelligence shows that there is no hope for his family at all.

Please don't second guess yourself you are doing the right thing, she's only 2 let her keep believing that the world is all about butterflies,lady bugs and rainbows until the time comes for her to learn about troll, wicked witches of the west and scary clowns named Pennywise my,my that scares me. Your doing a good thing know this to be true

I'm slightly leaning ESH, if only because I feel the OP was cowardly in not making the split clear and official. The existence of your kid isn't something you just ghost on. If they were under the impression that the OP was fine, but just distant, this would be a major blow, and he should have made it clear that he has significant issues with the way he's treated, to the point where he is cutting contact. Rather than half heartedly letting things fizzle and keeping in rare contact so they think he's just bad at correspondence.

About 40% of US adults have been estranged from someone in their family at some point. At a given time, 25% are currently estranged. Beware of people with personality disorders who refuse to admit it and seek help: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/personality-disorders/symptoms-causes/syc-20354463

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People can change. Give them the benefit of the doubt. Enjoy the newfound closeness and our pouring of love. You have a te<e