Posted by Sarah, Charlie's Mommy, for Karen Cork on July 06, 1999 at 00:27:44:
In Reply to: Re: Preemie Hand Signals!!!!!!! posted by Karen Cork on July 05, 1999 at 16:39:03:
Hi Karen,
This has nothing to do with the initial thread, I really just had a question about your Deaf connections. My Charlie is Deaf and has a cochlear implant. ASL is his first language, he must have 2-3,000 signs and maybe 150-200 spoken words. (The fact that he acquired a complete language -ASL- prior to his implant really enhanced his ability to learn speech). What do your friends think about the C.I.? Are they completely opposed to it? Do they ostracize people who have it? (my biggest worry for Charlie) We had been attending signed mass for the Deaf until Charlie's implant but are now afraid of the reaction we may get from Deaf people. Our philosophy, however, is that Charlie is Deaf and should take pride in his Deaf heritage, but that he just has a high tech hearing aid which will make it easier to acquire speech and to learn English, which as you is not the same as ASL.
So have any of your Deaf friends expressed any opinions on the C.I.?
Sarah, Charlie's Mommy
former 29 weeker, now 3 y/o, signing and talking up a storm.