As far as using ASL or being involved in the deaf community, that isn't a practical option for me.
Why not? Do you live in an area where a Deaf community doesn't exist, or do you simply not have the time or otherwise?
Actually, my name should be spelled Tariq, but when I was born, Taric got on my birth certificate.
Also, in response to your post...
To give you an example, there was a man in his 50s named Steve, who lived in Chicago. My friend met him, and he signed very, slowly. "My name S-T-E-V-E." My friend asked him, "Why do you want to know Deaf people?" Steve replied that he himself had suddenly become deaf at 50 and decided that he should know other deaf people.
I'm sorry. Could you clarify? Do you mean that ASL is supposed to be used in certian situations or otherwise?
I totally agree with you, the doctor was even saying that they dont even know that he can hear any sort of actual speech or that he can make sense of anything or that hes really even responding at all.
My mother always used to say 'dont put all your eggs in one basket' and I think thats what this woman is doing. Shes putting sole responsibility on the CI. I think CIs are an amazing tool, and that we should in every way embrace whatever new technology to improve the quality of life that we can. But I also believe that we are a world that is becoming so dependant on other people and technological devices to allow us to communicate.
I think that she should be hopeful that the CI will work, but since he is young right now, and has every opportunity to both learn sign language and possibly hear to some extent I think both aspects should be focused on. Equally.
It sounded to me like the mother was just really distraught when she found out her son was deaf, and that rather reluctantly she was learning sign language because she saw it as a last resort or her only option. But now that with the CI, her son is showing signs of possibly being able to hear some sort of sound she has just given up at all on allowing him to experience the amazing world of sign language.
Hes just at such a young age that he needs to be learning certain things such as whats allowed and what isnt, this is the age that parents start teaching their children a little bit of what is expected from them. And if you give up on the ability to communicate effectivly with you child, for the ability for your child to just be able to hear I think you have your priorities wrong. Its just like how that book Deaf like me really rubbed me wrong at first. The parents were focusing so much on their daughter to be able to hear, that they totally lost focus of being able to communicate yes and no with her, or any sort of discipline or vital information.
I think thats where it starts to cross the line, when youre so desperate for a child to be 'normal' to be able to hear, that you forget that your first duty is to be a parent and have whatever form of communication possible with the child, because first and foremost you have to teach your child right from wrong.
sorry thats my little rant.
I agree. As I said in an earlier post today, Lillys CI quit working today. I found this out while at work. I made a comment to a coworker about her CI not working, he made the comment "Well I guess you cannot take her tothe park like you planned" 
my response, "Shes deaf, not paralyzed, just because she can't hear, it doesn't mean she can't play in the park."
He realized that he said something stupid and apologized.
I put my daughter on a pedastal because she is my daughter, not because she is deaf, or because she has a CI. She is my little princess and I let her know it everyday!
Why not? Do you live in an area where a Deaf community doesn't exist, or do you simply not have the time or otherwise?Actually, my name should be spelled Tariq, but when I was born, Taric got on my birth certificate.
As for myself, I was raised Hearing, but I found it very easy to become involved in Deaf community. There is WSAD (Western Suburban Association of the Deaf), in the west suburbs of Chicago, CCD (Chicago Club of the Deaf), in Chicago, and WCRAD (Windy City Rainbow Association of the Deaf), also in Chicago. Also, most of those meetings are geared towards adults, not children. WSAD and CCD are both nearby or in bars, and WCRAD is an LGBTQQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer and Questioning) association. In conclusion, in my experiance, at least in the suburbs or the city of Chicago, the Deaf community is more geared towards accepting new adults, than children.I'm sorry. Could you clarify? Do you mean that ASL is supposed to be used in certian situations or otherwise?
Liliydad, YOU and Lilysmom are AWESOME awesome parents. I really think that most of the reaction that you experianced comes from the Deaf seperatist types or the Deaf folks who deal with hearing parents who just want their kids to be as "hearing" or as nondisabled/ healthy normal as possible. I think if you were in a different area you'd find it easier to break into Deaf culture. I really think that the St. Louis area isn't exactly welcoming to hearing parents. You really have to look at it from their POV.....you know the expression "once bitten twice shy?" A lot of the St. L deafies were probaly themselves products of the system. Their attitude probloy comes from frustration that the cycle is being repeated again. They see the parents pushing for oral only......Yes, there are parents who want their kids to simply develop oral skills.......but it does seem like the majority of parents who are pro oral education, simply want a "healthy normal" kid.
WOW!!! Finally a parent who actually understands what a lot of us have been saying....... One of the many reasons why I am anti oral only is b/c it puts such a focus on therapy, therapy therapy 24/7, as well as constant correction. How the heck can someone develop good self esteem when they are constantly being corrected on speech? I was constantly corrected, and trust me...........I have the worst self esteem ever. A lot of the dhh oral kids I know, are very shy and not really social b/c of this.
