Re: dirty foot-in-mouth syndrome It might be off Topic

[Guest guest]

Larry-- There was legal action in the Michigan's courts a couple of years ago

trying to get 2 little boys who were in the State care CIs but their parents

opposed that vehemently and the courts sided with the parents I believe. I think

that if a parent doesn't want their child implanted from infancy or whatever age

that is their right and we really cant do anything about that since they may

have different reasons that we don't know about.

Snoopy

[Guest guest]

Larry,

I think some of the resistance we face in the Deaf community has to do with

their fear of blindness. Since vision is the means by which a Deaf person

communicates and receives information, the thought of losing that sense

is frightening. Being around a deafblind person who is totally blind

reinforces that fear sometimes to the point where we are excluded. It's

unfair but understandable.

I know how you feel about being isolated among those who sign. I've attended

a number of social events for deaf and hard of hearing students at my

university. Even though I knew sign, no one wanted to communicate with me

because they were afraid of using tactile sign. Imagine my embarrassment

when my captionist had to encourage people to talk to me and even then, they

pretended as if I weren't there!! It wasn't until these students saw me

around campus and in the Deaf/HoH program office that they stopped to talk

with me. One of them was in complete awe after watching me communicate in

tactile sign with my advisor. Putting people at ease can go a long way

towards helping Deaf people (or anyone else for that matter) feel more

comfortable around us and realize that we're not aliens from outer space.

<grin> You have been blessed with a wonderful sense of humor. Use *that* and

you'll be amazed at how favorably people will respond. <smile>

In regards to your experience with AADB and FM systems, you're exactly

right. I don't know if AADB has improved the availability and quality of FM

systems, but I hope they have. When I attended AADB in 1995, the FM systems

they used were of such poor sound quality, I couldn't use them. To me that's

inexcusable -- especially for an organization that represents people with

dual sensory loss.

In regards to Deaf children being implanted, I can only speak for myself.

While I would certainly implant my child if he/she were born Deaf, I don't

think it's ethical for me to make that decision for another parent. There

are just too many unknown factors involved.

As you could probably tell by your SSPs response, the decision to implant a

child is a very touchy subject. It's similar to the debates we have in the

blind community regarding canes vs. guide dogs. Sometimes you just don't

want to go there for fear of getting your head chewed off and spit back out

at you. <grin>

Implanted: 12/22/04

Activation date: 1/18/05 (14 days and counting!)

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 19 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 9 1/2 years

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/4/2005 9:47:47 AM Pacific Standard Time,

dkl.pearson@... writes:

Do you remember if the parents were deaf or not?

deaf,, if you want more info,, you can find the info at

http://deafcan.org/TFiles/PhotoArchives/2002GrandRapidsRally/PIXGrandRapidsRally\

..htm

Lee

[Guest guest]

, Larry, and ,

Can I please share these posts, with names deleted, with my d/hh

instructor? We had a rather lively (read heated) discussion about

cultural differences within Deaf culture in my psychology and

sociology of deafness course last semester. I seemed to have been

the only one who fealt a lot of negativity and exclusion, and

sometimes just plain hostility, from the Deaf. There was a lot of

talk about how this attitude was caused by the way hearing people

treat the Deaf, and no responsbility placed upon the Deaf for their

actions ( or reactions, however you look at it). Anyway, I'd like

to share your perspectives as people who are deafblind and your

interactions with the blind, Deaf, deaf, and hard of hearing. I'm a

firm believer that only through educating the children can we make a

positive change for the future, especially when it comes to cultural

differences and acceptance.

Beth

[Guest guest]

Hi Beth,

Please feel free to share my comments with your instructor and classmates. I

have some thoughts about the way I've been treated in the blind community

because of my deafness, but I'll write a message about that experience later

today. You're quite welcome to share that message as well. <smile>

Implanted: 12/22/04

Activation date: 1/18/05 (14 days and counting!)

Deafblind/Postlingual

BTE hearing aid user 19 years

Severe-profound hearing loss 9 1/2 years

[Guest guest]

,

Thank you!

Beth

> Hi Beth,

>

> Please feel free to share my comments with your instructor and

classmates. I

> have some thoughts about the way I've been treated in the blind

community

> because of my deafness, but I'll write a message about that

experience later

> today. You're quite welcome to share that message as well. <smile>

>

>

> Implanted: 12/22/04

> Activation date: 1/18/05 (14 days and counting!)

> Deafblind/Postlingual

> BTE hearing aid user 19 years

> Severe-profound hearing loss 9 1/2 years

[Guest guest]

Beth,

By all means, share.

*---* *---* *---* *---* *---*

Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get

used to the idea.

-- A. Heinlein

& Gimlet (Guide Dawggie)

Portland, Oregon

N24C 3G 8/2000 Hookup

rlclark77@...

http://home.comcast.net/~rlclark77/

[Guest guest]

Snoopy,

Do you remember if the parents were deaf or not?

There are so many people in the Deaf Community that is set against giving

infants a CI. Whatever the reason, I think we need to respect their wishes.

Child who are deaf can go two way... Either go to the Deaf School and be part of

the Deaf Community or have a CI and be mainstream in the hearing world.

, WA St. USA

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From: " Munson " <lisamunson@...>

Date: 2005/01/03 Mon PM 06:51:09 GMT-11:00

< >

Subject: Re: dirty foot-in-mouth syndrome It might be off Topic

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Pearson

WA St. USA

[Guest guest]

Thanks Lee, I remember reading about this. Very interesting.

, WA St. USA

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From: spottedlee@...

Date: 2005/01/04 Tue AM 06:50:37 GMT-11:00

Subject: Re: dirty foot-in-mouth syndrome It might be off Topic

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Pearson

WA St. USA