I am going to share my feelings and perspective about this topic first as a culturally Deaf person.
Growing up Deaf, exposed to all the whatnots of Deaf Culture, Deaf community, you name it, I had it.
Losing my sight slowly, bit by bit, those who were my friends, started to lose touch with me. I don't blame them at all.
Take the AIDS hysteria back then. People were afraid of AIDS. It was the unknown. They were afraid of it, they were not educated about it, thinking they could catch it from drinking from the public water fountain or touching people.
Now being a DeafBlind, I totally appreciate everything I have- meaning what good friends I have now. Those good friends are not afraid to ask me questions because they know I will not bite them. Education is best. It is best to communicate because we all learn from each other.
I strongly suspect the CI itself is still the unknown. People create what they fear. If I could, I would go for a CI. Unfortunately I have no more residual hearing left and it has been pointed out that with very little sight I have left, the CI could impose inner ear balance problems.
I do appreciate the parents' concerns in this thread. I can see the parents wanting to hand their children the world and it's wonderful. I truly applaud people that introduce more communication methods like this.
My only concern is the attitude because children learn what they see. Their brains are like sponges, they absorb so much at such young ages.
Namaste.
