It most certainly is about the deaf perspective. We were/are discussing the deaf community in this thread. Being that is the case, there is no getting around the deaf perspective. Something a hearing person; any hearing person can only half understand. I fully admit that I have no first hand knowledge of what it's like to be deaf. But, I can certainly try my best to put myself in someone elses' shoes and I know what it's like to feel left out of things.
As for being attacked, I didn't say you did. I said you grilled me on my ASL knowledge and it seemed as though you were questioning my validity for being here. That bugged me, but oh well. Life goes on.
As for smearing you, don't know what that's about. I've said already that I fully support the use of ASL, and, a full toolbox approach. This includes bi/bi education. The ONLY thing I'm against is oral only. That's it.
I've spent the majority of this thread defending my beliefs against two hearing parents of deaf children. I find that ironic considering there's a myriad of deaf on here who could be questioning me, but aren't. There's only been one. I really find that a strange irony.
Ahh, I said it all now. I stand by my beliefs and what I've learned from those I've come to respect. To those, I bow to. To others, I'll just say we can disagree. Life's too short to get all twisted up over a debate such as this. The oral only VS ASL debate will rage on. It's truly my hope that the deaf and hearing can one day come together, but, judging from what I've seen the last six years I've been on this forum, we've got a long way to go before that happens.
Good night, folks.
