jackiesolorzano
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- Jul 1, 2007
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You know, it's funny , because Jillio you seem to come off as the end all know all of Deaf culture and community and I take great offense to that. At time your responses are downright arrogant to parents who have implanted their children.While I think, (and you always seem to bash my 2 cents) some of these parents are looking for a "cure" or a denial one their child's deafness- the majority of parents I have encountered are truly invovled in their children's lives. There is no easy road map of raising a child- any child- and we all will make mistakes. But the mistakes aren't made because we didn't care. The claims that some of these parents have made regarding their child's progress I complteley believe...I've seen it in my very own child. I never thought that my child would be as successful as he is today. And no, he doesn't spend hours at speech therapy every week...He is a child with a hearing loss- his deafness does not define him- he defines his deafness. My experiences, while not like yours, are just as valuable, and I DO live in the Deaf world every single day...I do have a son who is implanted, but my parents are Deaf... I learned to sign before I learned to speak... my son has Deaf uncles and aunts... and with all this, I still chose to have my son implanted...
Shel: I wish there were more TOD's like you out there, but unfortunately, where I am (there are 3 Deaf schools around me) you would be the minority- not the majority. I used to be a job coach for Deaf High School students. It used to break my heart with the stories I have heard and witnessed over the years. Parents even saying to me "can you tell her/him..........." I would be appalled . But, like I have said earlier, parents that I've encountered that have had their children implanted, it's not the same... The communication barrier isn't just there....
My child is lucky... He had the best of both worlds and he is perfectly aware of who he is and how very very special he is.. My child has made a difference .. he has opened doors even in our own family... My dad broke down and cried when he saw my son singing ( albeit not very well, but none of my other 4 children can carry a tune either!) in a concert with his peers and then signing some of the words... My father's words" Wonderful, God gave us a wonderful boy" Then watched as he played the cello. He is in 3 grade... above grade level in every subject.. and has many many friends...This year especially- he has become the social butterfly....
I'm glad that your son is doing well but the ASL route is not for everyone, and that needs to be respected as well... it's a two way street and at times, I just feel that you are sooo set in your ways (like my mother) that you cannot just admit that there are successes!!
Again, go ahead and bash me.. you've done it before.... but I just felt compelled to write... you chastized cloggy for not living in the Deaf world, and hey I do.............My parents live 15 miles from me... My in-laws live 2 .. my Deaf nephew stays at my house almost every weekend............I could go on and on.............
WOW great posting