We discussed cochlear implants in class this week and at first, as Professor Marable was explaining it, I couldn't come up with a reason why this technology would be a bad thing. We brought up the debate to whether it was a disability or a difference and at first I was strongly sided to the disability argument. However, by the end of class after the videos that he showed and everything we learned about Deaf culture, I have decided that I believe being deaf is a new category: disadvantage. Technically, it is hard to argue that it's not a disability by the dictionary definition: "dis·a·bil·i·ty: A physical or mental condition that limits a person's movements, senses, or activities." However, I will still call it a disadvantage. The way I look at it, a condition that I would compare it to would be dwarfism because our world is dominated by hearing, normal height people, and some accommodations are made for the small or deaf. It was very inspiring to learn about the people that are deaf and are completely happy being that way in the video he showed us.
I recently met someone that is deaf through a mutual friend and although it was a little bit awkward due to the lack of direct communication that could happen, I'm very glad I met him. He was a speaking deaf person so he could talk to me but I couldn't communicate back to him without the help of the mutual friend that acted as a translator. He played football at Gallaudet University and now coaches at Michigan School for the Deaf, which I thought is really cool that he's able to do that because football is not something you think of as a silent sport by any means. Also, another thing that struck me was that he told us that he liked our music because he could kind of hear and feel the lower bass sounds.
So now for my personal stance on cochlear implants. I think that if I had a child today that was deaf, I would get him or her cochlear implants as an infant. I just think that if it were me, I would want the option to hear. I feel that if a child that has cochlear implants grows up and wants to learn sign language and return to the Deaf culture, then they have every right to do so; but I also think they should have the option to remain hearing. Although the point got brought up that they are only 70% effective, that can dramatically increase over time with more tests and advancements, just like every other new technology out there. Maybe even someday being deaf will be a thing of the past if the implants become mainstreamed enough. What do you think about using cochlear implants to eliminate deafness?
P.S. How could you not think cochlear implants are a great thing with videos like this out there:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTzTt1VnHRM&feature=related
Although I do still agree with the definition of disability, you brought up a very good point using disadvantaged. You opened my eyes to a new way of thinking about how to categorize the loss of hearing. I agree with your analogy of deaf people to dwarfism. Dwarfs aren't disabled they are just disadvantaged at times in a world that was not designed for shorter people. Even though they are disadvantaged there are plenty of accommodation that can be made in society to help them out, just like for deaf people.
ReplyDelete@micaelablog
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree. And that's why I believe most people in the world be happy if dwarfism or deafness was eliminated so that it would be a thing of the past. Because although you can get by being happy being deaf or short, I don't think anyone would say that quality of life would decrease if those things were cured.
I like how you looked at being deaf as a disadvantage, not a disablility nor a difference. The story you shared about the deaf football player further emphasized that being deaf is merely something that is a disadvantage to a person, not something that disenables a person from doing something. That shows that even if you are deaf you still can do ordinary things like everyone else.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on giving a child cochlear implants when they are young, but I would have to say that giving an adult cochlear implants may not be the best thing. This is because that adult would have a hard time with the assimilation into a speaking and hearing world. They would struggle greatly and it may even be more of a hindrance to their life than good. It ultimately could even change who they are as a person.