Dr. Phil Show Features DeafBlind Triplets who Received CIs

Helen Keller comes to mind. Before Annie Sullivan came to be her governess and teacher, she was basically unteachable and unreachable. After Annie Sullivan worked with her, she could and did many wonderful things.
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Annie Sullivan spent 24/7 with Helen Keller, one on one until Helen started making progress, and still dedicated a whole lot of time to educate and instruct Hellen every day.

How do you image a single mother of THREE, not one, not two but THREE deaf-blind children can do that?

Do not forget also, that Annie Sullivan was trained in helping deaf and blind, and until she arrived Helen Heller was totally wild and untrained.
And Helen had TWO able parents, maids and whatnot, and STILL they weren't able to raise her properly, eh?.

So, why do you expect one single unprepared mother to do what nowadays a team of specialist finds very hard to do?

It's so easy to point fingers and throw accusations.
But do you actually have any proof that neglect did happen, or that the mother didn't tried her best?

Let's not forget too, that we here have an experience what it is like to be deaf, HoH, many also deaf and blind.
So, for some of us it might not be that big deal "how to" when it comes to deaf and deafness, a bit more difficult I guess with deaf and blind,
but put yourself in shoes of a person who doesn't have any experience with this type of disability, has no idea what's like, where to start, what to do.

Even so, I doubt some of you fully grasp what it means TO HAVE THREE DEAF BLIND KIDS.
have you really, really thought about it - what's like to have three blind-deaf children?

Maybe that is why she turned to TV, to Dr Phil, in hope to find a sure way to improve her children lives?
and say what you like, but usually turning to TV show does help a lot.

As for Dr Phil - well he is in show business. He has to make show look interesting, or he will not get good ratings, what makes great ratings?
A controversy, a shocking revelation. But that doesn't mean that once the show is over, the lights go out the audience goes home
his guests are left out in cold- quite on the contrary, I believe he does everything in his power to help these unfortunate people.
I believe these triplets thanks to DR Phil will finally get the best medical and educational care they deserve, as will their mom and dad.


Fuzzy
 
Audiofuzzy said:
Annie Sullivan spent 24/7 with Helen Keller, one on one until Helen started making progress, and still dedicated a whole lot of time to educate and instruct Hellen every day.

How do you image a single mother of THREE, not one, not two but THREE deaf-blind children can do that?

Do not forget also, that Annie Sullivan was trained in helping deaf and blind, and until she arrived Helen Heller was totally wild and untrained.
And Helen had TWO able parents, maids and whatnot, and STILL they weren't able to raise her properly, eh?.

So, why do you expect one single unprepared mother to do what nowadays a team of specialist finds very hard to do?

It's so easy to point fingers and throw accusations.
But do you actually have any proof that neglect did happen, or that the mother didn't tried her best?

Let's not forget too, that we here have an experience what it is like to be deaf, HoH, many also deaf and blind.
So, for some of us it might not be that big deal "how to" when it comes to deaf and deafness, a bit more difficult I guess with deaf and blind,
but put yourself in shoes of a person who doesn't have any experience with this type of disability, has no idea what's like, where to start, what to do.

Even so, I doubt some of you fully grasp what it means TO HAVE THREE DEAF BLIND KIDS.
have you really, really thought about it - what's like to have three blind-deaf children?

Maybe that is why she turned to TV, to Dr Phil, in hope to find a sure way to improve her children lives?
and say what you like, but usually turning to TV show does help a lot.

As for Dr Phil - well he is in show business. He has to make show look interesting, or he will not get good ratings, what makes great ratings?
A controversy, a shocking revelation. But that doesn't mean that once the show is over, the lights go out the audience goes home
his guests are left out in cold- quite on the contrary, I believe he does everything in his power to help these unfortunate people.
I believe these triplets thanks to DR Phil will finally get the best medical and educational care they deserve, as will their mom and dad.


Fuzzy
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I was thinking the same thing about the comparision between Helen Keller and the triplets. Totally agree with you.
 
Oceanbreeze said:
Yes, these children are being neglected. The education of these children isn't being cultivated. They are not performing to their potential and it is NOT the fault of these children. IT IS the fault of someone, however, and that's a shame.
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The same can be said for a great many children in the US. If not performing to their educational potential is neglect, then there are millions of children who are victims or at risk of becoming so.
 
Oceanbreeze said:
I hope I'm not one who is shortchanging these children. I, for one, believe they can thrive if given the right intervention. The problem seems to be that the intervention that was started wasn't continued and these children regressed. BUT, that does NOT mean they will remain this way. It only takes one person willing to work with these children and it takes the parents willingness to continue the intervention for meaningful change. It is my sincere hope that this happens for these children.
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Believe me, it's not you.

It's deafdyke that just irks me. There are issues she just need to remain quiet about, this is one of them. She spouts off things she doesn't know about. She is a very ill-educated person.

She has absolutely no idea what it is like to have Usher's Syndrome. She thinks it is easy to find a program to easily take on 3 children from the same family for life. It isn't that easy.

OB, I appreciate the fact you think realistically and maybe it is because you go through the same path as I do. We both have dual disabilities and we live through it on a 24/7 basis. We aren't able to take holidays from it. We go through rejection on a regular basis.

Those who give quick feedback just have remotely no idea how it is to live life as a dual disabled person much less a child with dual disabilities.

Even I have deafdyke on ignore, others quote her and I see her ignorant comments about "multi-handicapped", this is a slap at my face. I would be one of the people deafdyke would considers as "multi-handicapped".

The comparison between Helen Keller and the triplets is unfair, IMHO.

Helen Keller's parents had money and time. Helen Keller's parents were able to literally give Anne Sullivan their parenting roles and go about their normal lifestyle. There was the most important thing- Anne Sullivan who was Helen Keller's eyes/ear/motivation.

For the triplets, it is three. Keep in mind, three girls who have their own individual needs and traits. They must be treated as individuals with their own dreams, desires and aspirations. To be compared to Helen Keller is an insult; even though Helen Keller is my idol.

Those forget, money and time was readily available. Nowadays it's scarce and we have whack doctors involving themselves for self-serving purposes. Other parents assume their parenting abilities are better however they haven't spent a week with those triplets together.

For those people who do not have DeafBlindness; it is not a trip to the park. Now imagine yourself with three DeafBlind children still in diapers; trying to communicate with you.

You seriously need to keep your opinions to yourself, I've kept quiet about this thread since then and I'm done with this thread. I have far better things to do with my time.
 
Mrs Bucket said:
Believe me, it's not you.

It's deafdyke that just irks me. There are issues she just need to remain quiet about, this is one of them. She spouts off things she doesn't know about. She is a very ill-educated person.

She has absolutely no idea what it is like to have Usher's Syndrome. She thinks it is easy to find a program to easily take on 3 children from the same family for life. It isn't that easy.

OB, I appreciate the fact you think realistically and maybe it is because you go through the same path as I do. We both have dual disabilities and we live through it on a 24/7 basis. We aren't able to take holidays from it. We go through rejection on a regular basis.

Those who give quick feedback just have remotely no idea how it is to live life as a dual disabled person much less a child with dual disabilities.

Even I have deafdyke on ignore, others quote her and I see her ignorant comments about "multi-handicapped", this is a slap at my face. I would be one of the people deafdyke would considers as "multi-handicapped".

The comparison between Helen Keller and the triplets is unfair, IMHO.

Helen Keller's parents had money and time. Helen Keller's parents were able to literally give Anne Sullivan their parenting roles and go about their normal lifestyle. There was the most important thing- Anne Sullivan who was Helen Keller's eyes/ear/motivation.

For the triplets, it is three. Keep in mind, three girls who have their own individual needs and traits. They must be treated as individuals with their own dreams, desires and aspirations. To be compared to Helen Keller is an insult; even though Helen Keller is my idol.

Those forget, money and time was readily available. Nowadays it's scarce and we have whack doctors involving themselves for self-serving purposes. Other parents assume their parenting abilities are better however they haven't spent a week with those triplets together.

For those people who do not have DeafBlindness; it is not a trip to the park. Now imagine yourself with three DeafBlind children still in diapers; trying to communicate with you.

You seriously need to keep your opinions to yourself, I've kept quiet about this thread since then and I'm done with this thread. I have far better things to do with my time.
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I hear what you're saying and I share your frustration. It was I, (I believe), who brought up Helen Keller to demostrate what she was able to achieve after Annie Sullivan came into her life. I believe that if someone were to work with these children (and yes, I realize that is daunting), they could fulfill their potential. That was the only reason I brought up Helen Keller. Other people can make of it what they will. We each have our opinions on this.

As for me, I agree with you. We may not have grown up in similiar circumstances, but, I DO know what it's like to have a lot of challenges that I deal with on a daily basis. It doesn't go away. It will NEVER go away, but, throughout my life I've had physical therapists work with me, occupational therapists working with me, and a myriad of other services. Life isn't a walk through Candy Land, but I am NOT laying in a crib uncommunicative and unable to interact with the world around me. For that, I'm thankful and I'm grateful.

All I am hoping for and pleading for is that these children get the help they so desperately need. Otherwise, then yes, they will remain as they are now and that is sad. Again, as I said above, it is NOT their fault. It's the fault of our society. What a shame. :(
 
Audiofuzzy said:
Annie Sullivan spent 24/7 with Helen Keller, one on one until Helen started making progress, and still dedicated a whole lot of time to educate and instruct Hellen every day.

How do you image a single mother of THREE, not one, not two but THREE deaf-blind children can do that?

Do not forget also, that Annie Sullivan was trained in helping deaf and blind, and until she arrived Helen Heller was totally wild and untrained.
And Helen had TWO able parents, maids and whatnot, and STILL they weren't able to raise her properly, eh?.

So, why do you expect one single unprepared mother to do what nowadays a team of specialist finds very hard to do?

It's so easy to point fingers and throw accusations.
But do you actually have any proof that neglect did happen, or that the mother didn't tried her best?

Let's not forget too, that we here have an experience what it is like to be deaf, HoH, many also deaf and blind.
So, for some of us it might not be that big deal "how to" when it comes to deaf and deafness, a bit more difficult I guess with deaf and blind,
but put yourself in shoes of a person who doesn't have any experience with this type of disability, has no idea what's like, where to start, what to do.

Even so, I doubt some of you fully grasp what it means TO HAVE THREE DEAF BLIND KIDS.
have you really, really thought about it - what's like to have three blind-deaf children?

Maybe that is why she turned to TV, to Dr Phil, in hope to find a sure way to improve her children lives?
and say what you like, but usually turning to TV show does help a lot.

As for Dr Phil - well he is in show business. He has to make show look interesting, or he will not get good ratings, what makes great ratings?
A controversy, a shocking revelation. But that doesn't mean that once the show is over, the lights go out the audience goes home
his guests are left out in cold- quite on the contrary, I believe he does everything in his power to help these unfortunate people.
I believe these triplets thanks to DR Phil will finally get the best medical and educational care they deserve, as will their mom and dad.


Fuzzy
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I don't expect this mother to do this alone. She can't. That's obvious, but, she can find resources and she can utilize those resources. It's done every single day. Look at the people on this forum for instance. When most of you (if not all of you) were first identified as deaf, your parents were given resources. Told where to go, ect What Dr to see. Where to go for testing, HAs, ect. What the hell happened with these triplets? Why wasn't this kind of support given? And, if it was, why wasn't anything followed up on. This is what keeps irking me. It's as if these kids were born and dumped on their parents laps with no information on what to expect or what to do. What the..... ??????
 
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Mrs. Bucket,Have you thought that perhaps it's the difference in terminlogy between two countries? Even in the states language used to describe disabilty, isn't universal over all fifty states.
Multihandicapped and/or severely disabled doesn't always mean kids/people who are severely or profoundly intellectucally disabled. It can be used that way, yes.
BUT, it can also be used to describe people/students who while they are intellectucally normal, may have a lot more going on then just being dhh.
As a matter of fact, I think that the difference in terminlogy can be different from different groups. For example, someone who is just deaf blind wouldn't be classifed as severely disabled in the deaf blind group, b/c there's a high rate of severe multihandicapped kids in that population. But they might be classified as severely disabled by a doctor or an expert or whatever.
I do agree that they need to come up with better terminlogy to describe people who while they have issues beyond just blind/low vision or just dhh, they aren't profoundly disabled.
Or are you going to attack me again claiming I said something when I didn't even say anything? I don't even know why I bother to try to explain things to you. I just get attacked any way.
 
deafdyke said:
Mrs. Bucket,Have you thought that perhaps it's the difference in terminlogy between two countries? Even in the states language used to describe disabilty, isn't universal over all fifty states.
Multihandicapped and/or severely disabled doesn't always mean kids/people who are severely or profoundly intellectucally disabled. It can be used that way, yes.
BUT, it can also be used to describe people/students who while they are intellectucally normal, may have a lot more going on then just being dhh.
As a matter of fact, I think that the difference in terminlogy can be different from different groups. For example, someone who is just deaf blind wouldn't be classifed as severely disabled in the deaf blind group, b/c there's a high rate of severe multihandicapped kids in that population. But they might be classified as severely disabled by a doctor or an expert or whatever.
I do agree that they need to come up with better terminlogy to describe people who while they have issues beyond just blind/low vision or just dhh, they aren't profoundly disabled.
Or are you going to attack me again claiming I said something when I didn't even say anything? I don't even know why I bother to try to explain things to you. I just get attacked any way.
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I'm not going to step into this. You and Mrs Bucket can settle this outside of AD or in PM, but I will say something. There have been many times when you have commented on topics that you know very little about. You think you know because you've read something or you've done research on the internet, but you truly do not know. There's a time and place for everything.

Everyone has a right to speak their minds on this forum according to it's rules, but, there's many times when it's best to just simply refrain from saying anything. I learned this awhile ago, and I'm glad I did. There are many things that I see on this forum that ROYALLY tick me off, but I simply don't post. I could if I wanted to cause myself grief or someone else grief, but what is the point? All it's going to do is get the thread closed or worse; the person (and possibly myself) banned. I've been there and done that. It's time to put my big girl panties on and grow up and I did.

Again, I'm speaking for myself here, but there are times when I wish you'd just not comment on things you know very little about. Please think about it.
 
Oceanbreeze said:
I'm not going to step into this. You and Mrs Bucket can settle this outside of AD or in PM, but I will say something. There have been many times when you have commented on topics that you know very little about. You think you know because you've read something or you've done research on the internet, but you truly do not know. There's a time and place for everything.

Everyone has a right to speak their minds on this forum according to it's rules, but, there's many times when it's best to just simply refrain from saying anything. I learned this awhile ago, and I'm glad I did. There are many things that I see on this forum that ROYALLY tick me off, but I simply don't post. I could if I wanted to cause myself grief or someone else grief, but what is the point? All it's going to do is get the thread closed or worse; the person (and possibly myself) banned. I've been there and done that. It's time to put my big girl panties on and grow up and I did.

Again, I'm speaking for myself here, but there are times when I wish you'd just not comment on things you know very little about. Please think about it.
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I agree with you. To compare Canada to the States like that is actually quite insulting since 90% of our television and media is from the States itself. We're not British or Australians with own media source. :|

Have you thought that perhaps it's the difference in terminlogy between two countries?
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MY ASS!
 
souggy said:
I agree with you. To compare Canada to the States like that is actually quite insulting since 90% of our television and media is from the States itself. We're not British or Australians with own media source. :|



MY ASS!
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I feel compelled to ask if the story about the triplets originated from Canada. I thought this family was American, but, if I'm in error then I apologize. If so, then even I have no right to comment further on this story, because as you pointed out, to compare Canadian services to American services is ludicrous at best.

Can someone clarify this for me?


Thank you.
 
Oceanbreeze said:
I feel compelled to ask if the story about the triplets originated from Canada. I thought this family was American, but, if I'm in error then I apologize. If so, then even I have no right to comment further on this story, because as you pointed out, to compare Canadian services to American services is ludicrous at best.

Can someone clarify this for me?


Thank you.
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They were from Texas.
 
OK, then. There are resources to help these children. All the parents have to do is search for them and use them to their advantage!
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You might be surprised to know that in certain instances Canadians may have better access to medical care than USA citizens,
it's all relative.
We have more universal medical care than USA,
sometimes it sucks sometime it doesn't,
all depends what province you are in, how much money you have and what kind of services you need.


If you care, you may study this document:

http://www.ioo.ca/docs/DeafblindResources.pdf

you can also research via Google what services are availabe in CA for deaf-blind if you're curious.


Fuzzy
 
Audiofuzzy said:
You might be surprised to know that in certain instances Canadians may have better access to medical care than USA citizens,
it's all relative.
We have more universal medical care than USA,
sometimes it sucks sometime it doesn't,
all depends what province you are in, how much money you have and what kind of services you need.


If you care, you may study this document:

http://www.ioo.ca/docs/DeafblindResources.pdf

you can also research via Google what services are availabe in CA for deaf-blind if you're curious.

Fuzzy
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It has nothing to do with medical. It has alot to do with education.
 
I feel compelled to ask if the story about the triplets originated from Canada. I thought this family was American, but, if I'm in error then I apologize. If so, then even I have no right to comment further on this story, because as you pointed out, to compare Canadian services to American services is ludicrous at best.
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FYI, Mrs. Bucket is Candian. And yes, the two countries are quite simlair, but that doesn't mean that they would follow the same classification systems.
And the classification system isn't nessarily standardized here in the states.
That I do know. I actually have a syndrome that CAN mean being "classicly" severe/multihandicapped" or it could mean being hoh or having a significent learning disabilty with a bunch of other medical problems. I've faced the labeling/classification thing before many times.
But b/c of this, one doctor (say a garden variety MD) might classfy me as having a severe disabilty, However, a specialist up in Boston might not classify me that way b/c they see more "classicly severe/multihandicapped patients.
Heck, we had a spin off of a thread on this awhile back....remember the controversy of Deaf Plus? I am very familar with the debate and dilemma.
 
Wirelessly posted

Oceanbreeze said:
souggy said:
I agree with you. To compare Canada to the States like that is actually quite insulting since 90% of our television and media is from the States itself. We're not British or Australians with own media source. :|



MY ASS!
Click to expand...

I feel compelled to ask if the story about the triplets originated from Canada. I thought this family was American, but, if I'm in error then I apologize. If so, then even I have no right to comment further on this story, because as you pointed out, to compare Canadian services to American services is ludicrous at best.

Can someone clarify this for me?


Thank you.
Click to expand...

The triplets are from Texas, but to devalue another ADer's opinion based on the oddly-percieved lingual differences is...
 
deafdyke said:
FYI, Mrs. Bucket is Candian. And yes, the two countries are quite simlair, but that doesn't mean that they would follow the same classification systems.
And the classification system isn't nessarily standardized here in the states.
That I do know. I actually have a syndrome that CAN mean being "classicly" severe/multihandicapped" or it could mean being hoh or having a significent learning disabilty with a bunch of other medical problems. I've faced the labeling/classification thing before many times.
But b/c of this, one doctor (say a garden variety MD) might classfy me as having a severe disabilty, However, a specialist up in Boston might not classify me that way b/c they see more "classicly severe/multihandicapped patients.
Heck, we had a spin off of a thread on this awhile back....remember the controversy of Deaf Plus? I am very familar with the debate and dilemma.
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Except nobody is trying to classify these girls. My point was just the opposite. My point is simply this. Give these girls the proper services, and they could just surprise everyone. It was you and a few others who started throwing labels around. The last thing we want to do is label these children beyond what already has been.

These girls are deaf/blind who were premature at birth. Quite simply put, they need services and are not getting it. THAT is the issue. Not all this extra added crap we've been batting around. What these parents need to do is get these girls services (and please don't tell me it's few and far between). I'm well aware of IEP nightmares. I'm well aware of other hurdles parents go thru. The thing is, MOST parents go to any length to get the services they feel their child needs. These parents haven't done that. Instead, they show up on the Dr Phil Show. Sounds like someone wanted a quick fix, and a media head found a great way to exploit a family in need, doesn't it?

Does to me.
 
It was you and a few others who started throwing labels around. The last thing we want to do is label these children beyond what already has been.
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Exactly. Unless the parents mention otherwise, the only thing the parents said they had is that they are deafblind. They didn't say anything else. Nor Dr. Phil, but that's what bad about show businesses. They don't tell the whole story, just bit and pieces that get people riled up. I hope these parents will get more help so these triples can grow up to be independent no matter what their situation is.
 
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A said:
Exactly. Unless the parents mention otherwise, the only thing the parents said they had is that they are deafblind. They didn't say anything else. Nor Dr. Phil, but that's what bad about show businesses. They don't tell the whole story, just bit and pieces that get people riled up. I hope these parents will get more help so these triples can grow up to be independent no matter what their situation is.
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:gpost: Amen! Thank you!
 
My point is simply this. Give these girls the proper services, and they could just surprise everyone. It was you and a few others who started throwing labels around. The last thing we want to do is label these children beyond what already has been.

These girls are deaf/blind who were premature at birth. Quite simply put, they need services and are not getting it. THAT is the issue. Not all this extra added crap we've been batting around. What these parents need to do is get these girls services (and please don't tell me it's few and far between). I'm well aware of IEP nightmares. I'm well aware of other hurdles parents go thru. The thing is, MOST parents go to any length to get the services they feel their child needs. These parents haven't done that. Instead, they show up on the Dr Phil Show. Sounds like someone wanted a quick fix, and a media head found a great way to exploit a family in need, doesn't it?
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And believe it or not I 100% agree with you. I was simply responding to what others were saying. I know it can be very difficult to tell how well a kid can respond to teaching and intervention. Yes, there are kids who are pretty much always going to be babies/toddlers....BUT there are also lots of kids who would pretty much surprise doctors and experts with what they can do. I wonder if the parents might be in denial about what they need, or they're really buying into "Oh my child needs to be at HOME"
While family life can be awesome, there are kids who need to go off to live at school or another placement like that for whatever reason. Placements like those are no longer the "warehouse" and completely and totally neglect the students type (a la Willowbrook)
I do agree with you. Maybe the parents could move to where there's better services or whatever.
 
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