I'm getting my associates in ASL interpretation this year and then on to my bachelors. I hope to assist deaf and/or HOH kids who can only afford mainstream schools or who's parents for whatever reason chose not to send them to a specialty deaf school. I'm not sure if I want to go that route with it or medically. Interpreting for sick or injured hospital and doctor's office patients. I would never encourage anyone to have a CI unless for some reason they really wanted to try it. I hate the idea of it being done to babies by hearing parents when they're too young to have a say. I know a deaf man whom wanted to hear his mother's voice and got a CI he only had it a month though before having it removed because the noise bothered him. I also would never encourage oral communication only being taught to deaf people. If they want to learn cool, the more you know about anything is good I guess. "Knowledge is power" etc. I personally love ASL though. More of my friends are deaf or severely HOH than hearing these days and I really appreciate the culture of communication in particular. It's a lot more direct, open and honest than most hearing/talking conversations when you're getting to know someone. I'm hearing, I don't pity any of my deaf friends I know they're capable and equally intelligent as a hearing person some hearing people have high or low IQs I believe that's the same with deaf people. A male deaf friend had to tutor me through math last year actually, that's my worst subject.. he's pretty much good at all subjects haha. Sometimes I have questions about certain cultural aspects, less now than I did 2 years or so ago but still I try and always ask in a polite and respectful way. I know several other hearing people that are learning ASL for different reasons also. Gallaudet University is 50% hearing and 50% deaf or HOH. That's where I hope to get my bachelors from. I don't think we're all bad. 
