What would you do if you experienced a tragic accident, resulting in permanent deafness?
What would you do if your child was born deaf?
Today in my American Sign Language 3 class, we talked about the advantages and disadvantages of deaf people receiving cochlear implants (CI). So much controversy surrounds cochlear implants, including the question of making such a huge, life-changing decision for a child who may not want to grow up hearing (keeping in mind that the earlier a child receives a CI, the more effective at improving speech and language they prove to be), the fact that CI's are not guaranteed to deliver results to all who receive it, and the disruption and possible extinction of Deaf culture.
So, whether the deaf person be the child of deaf parents, hearing parents, YOUR child, your brother, or your next door neighbor, how should their deafness be "handled?" Many protest CI's because being deaf is not viewed as a handicap, but a way of life and a culture that could be eliminated by CI's.
I'll leave you with a video that made me angry, frustrated, sad, and enlightened. It's called "My son is deaf, finally!" The video is 10 minutes long, but you absolutely must watch it through to the end or you won't get the whole message.
Thoughts???
Throughout this whole video I was thinking, "But wouldn't you expect hearing parents to be understanding of deafness??" Even so, I'm unconvinced by my own argument. I don't want to be hearing-centric, but I think it's only natural for parents want life to be easy for their children. For their children to fit in as easily as possible. Which doesn't address the ethical issue.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Lynsey. Very thought provoking! Can't wait to hear what other people think!!!
I'm really glad I saw this video. It does show the side of the story from deaf people who enjoy their culture. As a hearing person, I would never really think about eliminating deaf culture as a bad thing, so it is nice to be able to think about their view and appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteIt must be very conflicting, to make this choice for your child. I feel that, given the benefits of doing the surgery for your child as young as possible, I personally would not wait to do such a surgery until the child is an adult and can decide on their own. This is not the only medical issue that needs/can be addressed when a child is very young.
Some children need eye surgery or treatments when they are very young so that they may have a better chance at normal eyesight. Leaving something to develop for a full 18 years before addressing the choice to do something about it, in my view can be slightly irresponsible if the family really wishes to do something in opposition to it. Children that might lose eyesight in one or both eyes can benefit with the early medical help in having their vision work along with glasses. Would they be happier blind? Maybe.
Maybe people would be happier deaf as well. But to take away someone's chance to be hearing or have vision, etc... I think is more risky than to give them an opportunity to experience it if possible.
I know I would try to give my children all the tools possible to succeed in life. Two legs that stand, ears to hear, eyes to see... a heart to love, I would want to give them as many tools to help them be independent happy people as possible.