Chapter 46
"Hearing parents of deaf children think they know their children. But they do not know what effect deafness will have on their children's lives." (pg. 283). I had a difficult time understanding this sentences when reading it. I agree to an extent. I get that parents of children that are deaf will have a more difficult time understanding how it will effect them but I feel like if you have that communication with your children then it could be easier. I'm not sure since I'm not deaf and I don't have children who are deaf but I think that communication is always the key. I think that if you have children that are deaf, you should do whatever you can to learn about it. You should make sure you learn ASL, you learn about the culture, learn as much as you can about being deaf so you are able to be more understanding.
No parents get everything right but they are still your parents and, I believe, they know you better than anyone.
Chapter 47
I haven't really ever thought about this question. "Do deaf parents breed deaf children?" I figured that it was just random when things like this happened. It turns out that it can run in your family but you don't pass it onto your children. I was surprised to find out that most "deaf genes" were inherited by hearing parents.
I was so shocked by the little story at the end of the chapter! I was really upset when reading this because how horrible! What a jerk! Some people are so stupid.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Chapter 44 & 45
Chapter 44
I didn't really understand this chapter while I was reading through it. I couldn't get a good reading on whether the author was okay with deaf parents asking new parents if the baby is deaf. I don't really see anything wrong with parents who are deaf asking this question. I did think it was a little silly when the author says, "But virtually all Deaf folks ask: "deaf or hearing?" I don't know why it bothered me but I guess I just feel like there is more to ask than just that question. I understand that that wouldn't be ALL they ask about the baby but the first question? It make sense that they want to get a feel for the baby's background but what does that mean exactly? If they aren't deaf, the parents don't want to have anything to do with them? I guess I just got a negative vibe from reading that sentence.
"One of them" really bothered me as well. I understand and totally get that there is a completely different world in the deaf culture but "one of them"? I feel like everyone should be together. There shouldn't be them and us; it should just be all of us together. I think that if more of the world began to see it like this then there would be less issues with other cultures. There is so much of them and us that it gets hard to make connections. I love that the deaf community is so welcoming when I attend deaf culture events but sometimes this book sounds like they really aren't and I just think that they are. It really is hard to take these past few chapters and feel like I would be accepted into the deaf community.
Chapter 45
I really liked this chapter because I think that I agree with the authors position! It is so difficult for hearing people to understand what it's like to be deaf but I feel that since the vast majority of the world is hearing that it would be easier for parents who are deaf to raise a child that is hearing. That child will be easily bilingual while they are growing up, which is an amazing thing! Although it may be very difficult for the deaf parents raising a hearing child, I believe that as long as communication takes place that they will do a great job. If you love your children, there is not much more to ask for. In any relationship, communication is the key. I get that it would be more difficult for hearing parents to raise a child who is deaf, the lack of trying is a major key though. Hearing parents need to learn to have that same communication with their children. Learning ASL is difficult but if you have a child who happens to be deaf, shouldn't you want to communicate with them? Go to any lengths to do so?
Monday, February 11, 2013
Chapter 43
I think that screening for infants is perfectly fine. I don't see why anyone would have a problem with it. Wouldn't it be 100 times better if you find out at birth that your child is deaf. Then you are able to start signing to them right away and find out information about how to get them involved in the deaf community. It would be nice to start making connections right away and for your family to begin to get used to signing and the idea of having a family member that is deaf. I think that screening children would be a great idea.
We screen for other things, why not for the loss of hearing. Screening children for any kind of physical or mental disability is part of the process when your child is born. I think that making sure they do not have any hearing loss is very acceptable.
We screen for other things, why not for the loss of hearing. Screening children for any kind of physical or mental disability is part of the process when your child is born. I think that making sure they do not have any hearing loss is very acceptable.
Chapter 42
Isn't it possible to have the best of both worlds - ASL and a cochlear implant?
The book talks about cochlear implants and how parents are able to have them done to their children. I think this chapter is very touchy and would be a difficult topic to talk about to other people. Depending on the persons views and how a person accepts other peoples views, the conversation could go really well. I think that cochlear implants are totally up to the person or the parents. It's not my business to say that you are wrong for getting them or for having your children get them. I guess I feel the same way about gay marriages as I do about the implants...do what makes you happy.
I understand though that parents are doing them to their children and the children don't have a say. My question to them is, do you have your children's ears pierced? I know it is not the same at all because cochlear implants are surgery and pierced ears are not but still. Your child, at the age of 1, did not tell you they WANTED their ears pierced so how is it your right to do it? This is why I think that no one should have the right to say yes or no to people or their parents. I know it sounds like I have contradicted myself but my point is that I am not allowed to say that a child should or shouldn't have their ears pierced because it is none of my business. Being married if you are gay is none of my business. Cochlear implants is none of my business.
The book talks about cochlear implants and how parents are able to have them done to their children. I think this chapter is very touchy and would be a difficult topic to talk about to other people. Depending on the persons views and how a person accepts other peoples views, the conversation could go really well. I think that cochlear implants are totally up to the person or the parents. It's not my business to say that you are wrong for getting them or for having your children get them. I guess I feel the same way about gay marriages as I do about the implants...do what makes you happy.
I understand though that parents are doing them to their children and the children don't have a say. My question to them is, do you have your children's ears pierced? I know it is not the same at all because cochlear implants are surgery and pierced ears are not but still. Your child, at the age of 1, did not tell you they WANTED their ears pierced so how is it your right to do it? This is why I think that no one should have the right to say yes or no to people or their parents. I know it sounds like I have contradicted myself but my point is that I am not allowed to say that a child should or shouldn't have their ears pierced because it is none of my business. Being married if you are gay is none of my business. Cochlear implants is none of my business.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Chapter 41
Do all deaf people benefit from hearing aids?
Hearing aids are not a magic machine that will make people who are deaf hear again. I think the parts in this chapter about the children were the most important. Parents should allow their children to decide on their on whether they want to wear hearing aids or if they don't. I think that it's important in your child's life to decide things like that on their own. I understand where parents would want their child to wear them if they help but it should not be forced upon them.
I couldn't believe when I read how much hearing aids cost! At the pharmacy I work at we sell batteries for hearing aids and they are pretty expensive so it shouldn't have been that big of a shock but nevertheless, I was. I think it is even more important for children to decide on their own because of this. If you have a child that is deaf and they would like to wear hearing aids I think it would be important to stress that they are a tool to help and should not be taken advantage of. If you force a child to wear them, you really shouldn't be able to get mad if they get damaged or lost. If your child doesn't want them in the first place, why would they take care of it?
Hearing aids are not a magic machine that will make people who are deaf hear again. I think the parts in this chapter about the children were the most important. Parents should allow their children to decide on their on whether they want to wear hearing aids or if they don't. I think that it's important in your child's life to decide things like that on their own. I understand where parents would want their child to wear them if they help but it should not be forced upon them.
I couldn't believe when I read how much hearing aids cost! At the pharmacy I work at we sell batteries for hearing aids and they are pretty expensive so it shouldn't have been that big of a shock but nevertheless, I was. I think it is even more important for children to decide on their own because of this. If you have a child that is deaf and they would like to wear hearing aids I think it would be important to stress that they are a tool to help and should not be taken advantage of. If you force a child to wear them, you really shouldn't be able to get mad if they get damaged or lost. If your child doesn't want them in the first place, why would they take care of it?
Chapter 40
This chapter is about a student in a sign-language class whose teacher is deaf. Their teacher continues to refer to them as "hearing" as a describing word.
I think that it is okay when you are describing someone because that is something about that person. On the other hand, it is unacceptable for hearing people to refer to deaf people as deafs. I don't know, I guess I just think the rules should apply both ways. I understand that people that are deaf are a minority portion of the population but I still don't think its right for a teacher to refer to students as 'the hearing person' or anything along those lines. It just doesn't make sense to me. Honestly, I think it goes back to the golden rule again...treat others the way you want to be treated. People that are deaf don't like for that to be their signifier and as a hearing person I wouldn't want that to be mine.
Now, I don't fully understand the problem in this class. The teacher may call this student by name but use their hearing as a describing word. In this case, I think it would be fine. That is a characteristic about the student but it should not be a consent thing in this class. Students should never be degraded or labeled in any way. I know I probably don't understand the context and I'm sure it is not insulting at all but it just doesn't seem right to me.
I think that it is okay when you are describing someone because that is something about that person. On the other hand, it is unacceptable for hearing people to refer to deaf people as deafs. I don't know, I guess I just think the rules should apply both ways. I understand that people that are deaf are a minority portion of the population but I still don't think its right for a teacher to refer to students as 'the hearing person' or anything along those lines. It just doesn't make sense to me. Honestly, I think it goes back to the golden rule again...treat others the way you want to be treated. People that are deaf don't like for that to be their signifier and as a hearing person I wouldn't want that to be mine.
Now, I don't fully understand the problem in this class. The teacher may call this student by name but use their hearing as a describing word. In this case, I think it would be fine. That is a characteristic about the student but it should not be a consent thing in this class. Students should never be degraded or labeled in any way. I know I probably don't understand the context and I'm sure it is not insulting at all but it just doesn't seem right to me.
Chapter 39
When I used the word "handicapped," my deaf friends get angry. Why is that?
They probably get angry because it's not really a handicap, in my opinion. The book says, "in purely medical terms, it's a disability..." (p. 249). I think that is acceptable because in medical terms I guess it would be. People who are deaf can do anything I do. It doesn't really make any difference that they aren't able to hear and I am. Everyone is different, I'm sure they are better at many other things than I am. It is just a characteristic about them. It's not like people who are deaf can't communicate with one another. It is more difficult to communicate with everyone but not impossible.
I think whose ever friends gets upset about the person calling them handicap is totally acceptable. I wouldn't want my friends to refer to me as handicapped or disabled. I've never been in the situation where this has happened before but I know that if I ever have a child that is deaf, I would want them to be treated equally. Disabilities are hard to understand and label because in schools, I guess, being deaf could be considered a disability. This again, would be in medical terms though. I hope that if I ever have a student who is deaf that I will be able to understand and communicate with them as much as possible. It's important for me to see every side of all situations and accept all students for all of their different characteristics.
They probably get angry because it's not really a handicap, in my opinion. The book says, "in purely medical terms, it's a disability..." (p. 249). I think that is acceptable because in medical terms I guess it would be. People who are deaf can do anything I do. It doesn't really make any difference that they aren't able to hear and I am. Everyone is different, I'm sure they are better at many other things than I am. It is just a characteristic about them. It's not like people who are deaf can't communicate with one another. It is more difficult to communicate with everyone but not impossible.
I think whose ever friends gets upset about the person calling them handicap is totally acceptable. I wouldn't want my friends to refer to me as handicapped or disabled. I've never been in the situation where this has happened before but I know that if I ever have a child that is deaf, I would want them to be treated equally. Disabilities are hard to understand and label because in schools, I guess, being deaf could be considered a disability. This again, would be in medical terms though. I hope that if I ever have a student who is deaf that I will be able to understand and communicate with them as much as possible. It's important for me to see every side of all situations and accept all students for all of their different characteristics.
Chapter 38
Can 'Deaf' be used as a noun (as in 'the Deaf') or should it be used only as an adjective?
The same confusing situation came up in this chapter. What do you do? Some people prefer one way while others prefer the other. It is kind of frustrating to understand what you are supposed to do in these situations. Should you use 'Deaf' it as a noun or adjective?
In this situation I think it would be best to recognize the person before their (deafness?). I think it's important to always recognize the person because thats what they are first and foremost, people. Again, at school we always go by the golden rule. It is essential to treat others the way you would like to be treated. No one wants to be treated badly so why would you treat others bad?
The same confusing situation came up in this chapter. What do you do? Some people prefer one way while others prefer the other. It is kind of frustrating to understand what you are supposed to do in these situations. Should you use 'Deaf' it as a noun or adjective?
In this situation I think it would be best to recognize the person before their (deafness?). I think it's important to always recognize the person because thats what they are first and foremost, people. Again, at school we always go by the golden rule. It is essential to treat others the way you would like to be treated. No one wants to be treated badly so why would you treat others bad?
Chapter 37
What do others call us? And what do we call ourselves?
I thought this chapter was interesting in how it gave different examples of what people who are Deaf are called. I also liked how it gave the timeline of different quotes said on page 221. It's crazy that people actually referred to the Deaf as 'deaf and dumb.' It should have really surprised me because people can be really rude and inconsiderate.
I think it would be difficult though because not everyone likes to be called the same thing...not that you should 'call' anyone anything. But some people who are deaf like to be referred to as deaf, while others like hard of hearing. It's difficult to see what to do in these situations. Sometimes I think it would be best to not call anyone anything. That's what I teach my students at school but you still get the name-calling. I don't know what I would say if I were put in the situation because it does depend on what the person prefers. I think that, maybe, if you aren't trying to be rude or insensitive then the person who is deaf would understand.
I thought this chapter was interesting in how it gave different examples of what people who are Deaf are called. I also liked how it gave the timeline of different quotes said on page 221. It's crazy that people actually referred to the Deaf as 'deaf and dumb.' It should have really surprised me because people can be really rude and inconsiderate.
I think it would be difficult though because not everyone likes to be called the same thing...not that you should 'call' anyone anything. But some people who are deaf like to be referred to as deaf, while others like hard of hearing. It's difficult to see what to do in these situations. Sometimes I think it would be best to not call anyone anything. That's what I teach my students at school but you still get the name-calling. I don't know what I would say if I were put in the situation because it does depend on what the person prefers. I think that, maybe, if you aren't trying to be rude or insensitive then the person who is deaf would understand.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)