Yes I can.
First, my daughter has always and continues to be involved with the deaf community.
Sorry, but I have seen firsthand the "love" people like you spew when you call cochlear implanted children frankensteins, robots etc. When you call their parents nazis and child abusers. So spare me your trite little catch phrase because my daughter has been raised in a warm and loving family surrounded by an even larger extended family that loves her unconditionally.
She has her family and her friends both hearing and deaf. She socializes and communicates with people who accept her for who she is. They and we see her as she sees herself, as a person who is so many things, only one of which is being deaf.
And thanks for reminding me that she is deaf, wow, I would never have known it if you had not reminded me. You mean when she takes her ci off, she cannnot hear! Wow, I must tell my wife, after almost 20 years we had no idea she was still deaf. Thank God, you pointed that out to me or we would have gone through the rest of our lives belieiving that she was no longer deaf!
Heavy sarcasam intended.
Rick
I totally appreciate your passionate sarcasm. I must say that from the earlier conversation and comments about Deaf schools being a waste of tax payer money, I got the impression that you were an oral only- keep the kid from being exposed to the Deaf commuity freak! Thus, you got my attitude back at ya.
I have never, and will never consider an implanted child as anything less than just what they are.. special gifts of God, created to be who they are and all that they can be. I am sure your daughter is very gifted, and thankfully she has had a very happy experience from her implant. If ya heard anything I said at all, I said I am not against CIs. I am very wary of any industry that makes billions of dollars a year being totally in the corner of those they are there to help. Forgive me, but I have seen so much corporate corruption I could spew that for real.
Obviously, I got a wrong picture of you and your family from this short thread, because I did not know that you encouraged ties to the Deaf community for your daughter. Apologies extended for my assumption, because your tone was so nasty toward anyone that stuck up for Deaf people who don't want to be pushed into implants.
You did a very good job of "putting me in my place" for not understanding your point of view. However, I will not take credit for anything other than that. I did not call your daughter a Frankenstein or robot. I am aware that there is some in the Deaf community who actually ostrisize people for getting implants because they fear it will weaken Deaf culture. To the contrary, I believe just the opposite. I think that Deaf people of all people should no better than to judge a person, especially a child, because they have an implant. That would be ignorance at its worst. Now, I did not mean to imply any of those things, and I would appreciate it if we could discuss what I was trying to address. You are the one that came in and made the conversation contentious by disrespection Jillo and Shel90.
I said over and over that I an not against an informed decision to have an implant. I am against making ignorant or uninformed decisions. PERIOD> I also am concerned about the medical risks that come up when you are dealing with the fragility of an infant.
I would like your honest evaluation of this subject if you would care to share your unbiased and thoughtful opinion on the matter. Yes, I was quite sarcastic about the way that I posed the questions, but the questions were real. Still, it was rather childish of me to get caught up in the little cat fight you were conducting with Jillo.
What age limit do you feel is appropriate to implant a child? Where do ya draw the line. Do you think it should be done right after the initial screening as some advocate? How much hearing loss do you think should exist before considering an implant. How do you feel about the possible medical risks involved with implants. Do you think it is unreasonable for a parent to consider these risks as ones to big to gamble with? Should these parents feel pressured into a hasty decision that goes against their gut instinct?
Do you belive that Deaf schools should be shut down as the lady that Shel90 noted? I all for saving money for the tax payer if it doesn't lead to the suffering of a human being. Apparently, you have previously postd points and authorities about the financial side of this debate. I for one would be very interested in understanding your point of view by seeing the ethos you present. Do you really feel that *many* mainsteamed children aren't emotionally isolated? What do you propose the parents of profoundly Deaf children who don't qualify for implants should do if their child isn't faring well in a public school setting? We are lookin for solutions here, no Gothchas.
I would like it if you would put some calm and civilized input into this conversation. These issues need to be rationally discussed without the sarcasm and character assasinations of those you disagree with, There are many parents yet to face their own personal decisions. The idea is to brainstorm, debate and parse the different questions on the matter so good information can be assimilate. Public debate can be a great tool, or it can be a wedge which defeats the original purpose of the deabate. It is your choice.
I honestly before God can tell you that I wish your daughter great success and happiness in life. I would feel terrible if she were wounded in any way. And ya know, I really do believe that you are a loving and involved father who loves his daughter and is proud of her accomplishments. No one begrudges you that. I have not heard anyone hear attack your daughter! She is the whole point.... all Deaf children are the point... How do they feel, and how are they going t reach their academic and social potential? there is no room in this discussion for pettiness or ego trips. maybe public schools are not a one-size-fits-all solution. And maybe the CI industry is experimenting on babies at younger and younger ages because they do not know what the long term effect of currents to the brain will be. Just because a parent choses not to engage in the gamble, and choses what they know is sufficient for the need, then maybe you should respect their rights too.
I have apologized for being somewhat of a whitch to you. I felt that you were unfairly attacking me and accusing me of wanting to deny your child the right to hear,,, as if that would somehow benefit me. So, yes, I got just as childish as you,. My apology is extended. If you chose not to take it that is your perogative. But, I will not let you get away with accusing me of attacking your daughter or calling her any derogatory names or begrudging her hearing or success. If that is what you got out of the conversation, then I don't even know what else to say. May God be with you and yours. J Still chasing the dream of a better tomorrow for EVERYBODY!
sorry if I offended you, was not my intention. I think you would be a really cool guy to have for a friend. 
