I'm 40 and have had my N-24 CI for 11 years, a decision I made myself at age 29 after observing my former step son who had a CI implanted at the age of 2. He's now 23 years old. Anyway, despite my misgivings and opposition to children being implanted at such a young age, I decided to get one for myself because I'm over 18 and can decide whether I should get one or not. I still stand with my opinion on children being implanted while they're still babies and unable to have a say in the decision making process. That's something I try to encourage parents to research into ASL and deaf schools, etc. rather than just focus on CI's and learning to talk and hear because it's not 'natural' for us deaf to just be forced into using CI's/HA's and not learn sign language. I believe that is depriving them of their deaf culture and heritage.
I only hope that the parents and their child will be still on good terms by the time the child grows up and realises what's a CI exactly is and discovering the deaf community and its opportunities -- some may be fine and blend in with little to no trouble while others may not be so lucky. (What I meant is others coming to terms with having a CI, dealing with possibly anger towards parents and embarrassment, so forth. Such a spectrum of emotions that could come up.)
This issue continues to be a controversial one -- very sticky ground. I respect everyone's opinions on here, just hope that it stays rational, you know? Smile!
I mainstreamed my first few years of school before transferring to a deaf school where I graduated. Have been using ASL practically all my life -- started with SEE until I joined the deaf school where I quickly picked up ASL and have used it since then. ( I also learned AUSLAN, Australian Sign Language, during my 6 years living there and that's where I got my CI as well.)
