Posted by Karen Cork on July 06, 1999 at 15:20:21:
In Reply to: Re: Re: Preemie Hand Signals!!!!!!! posted by Sarah, Charlie's Mommy, for Karen Cork on July 06, 1999 at 00:27:44:
Sarah,
This is a great debate (in Calgary anyway)
I really am not the best person to comment as I am a)not deaf and b) never had to deal with a C I.
I have to admit that my two closest deaf friends are very Pro-deaf-culture. ie, very strongly against CIs but one has to take into account that they were children and learning asl and english at a time when CIs were not available and i wonder if they are considered candidates now...so their opinions may be based on more than just 'culture'
The chief complaint seems to be the 'sound' provided by a CI.
How was the CI explained to you? My understanding is that it is a mechanical representation of noises, computere generated. But how will we ever know what sound they provide. We are not the wearer, and neither are the folks complaining either. Seems like more of a 'don't knock it till you try it' kind of situation.
I look at it this way, I have good vision. I find it hard to imagine what it is like to be unable to see perfectly (leaving out of course that at 32 i hold the books farther and farther and farther away.....let's not talk about that....)
But if i couldn't , i would get glasses. they are there and are available and assist my sight.
yes deaf culture is unique. and Charlie should be proud of it. I am fascinated with Sign Language, the whole meathod of communication. I go to a pub attended by most of the deaf community here once a month, and there are deaf (with and with out CIs) hard of hearing and hearing all there and all friends. I have heard talk against CIs but NOT against the people that chose to use them.
I know that YOU know Charlie, NO ONE knows him like you do. I know you worry about others' reactions, but i wonder if now that CIs are so readily available, if lots of kids aren't getting them now, meaning that perhaps many of Charlies Deaf peers with sport them as well...
There weren't always glasses, now we all use them
(ahem.,.. or are thinking about it)
There wasn't always Internet. now we all use it.
BRASIERS!!! MY GOSH!!! Can you imagine if we all ....ewww...let's not go there...
yada yada, what i am trying to say, is that any reaction i have come across has been selective and directed toward the implant itself not the wearer.
email me at nofoolkc@aol.com if you like if you want to talk more and I'll tell you what i can.
Love Karen, mom to Griffin 'gotta catch up to Charlie!!! 2-3000 yowza!" Cork, 32 weeker, now 3years 1 month