Discussion about Cochlear Implants

Today, I had an interesting discussion with a deaf mother of two hearing children and a fellow interpreter who is also a CODA, married to a Deaf man and has Deaf and hearing children. We began discussing the system of education for parents who find out that their baby is Deaf. It seems that there is a prevalence of doctors and other parent/infant professionals to discuss the cochlear implant as the only way to make their child "normal" again. However, they often leave out another viable option for parents. The option to leave the child's ears alone, encourage them to learn sign language as a family and allow their child take part in the world of Deaf culture. 

During our discussion, a YouTube video by LagunaZurfer came up and we talked about how the tables are turned in the scenario posed by the video's narrator.  What a video! I was disappointed when the story led us into the fact that they did the surgery and made their child Deaf despite the child's obvious fear and disappointment of losing his ability to hear. It is scary to think that some Deaf children are actually experiencing virtually the same thing by being subjected to a cochlear implant, perhaps even against their own wishes.  

Can parents, either Deaf or hearing, look past their child for who they are rather than their disability? Obviously, Deaf individuals are at a slight disadvantage when it comes to not being able to hear but they are able to be successful in all aspects of their lives. They make adjustments, there are federal laws that require specific accommodations and the technology for the Deaf has never been better.  Hey, there are many idiots out there regardless of the fact that they are Deaf or hearing. And there are many smart Deaf and hearing people. It runs the gamut and we all aren't so different after all.

Being a child of Deaf parents and working with Deaf professionals day in and day out, I can say that there is no shame in being Deaf - its simply a way of life for many people. I am proud to be able to have a foot in both the hearing and Deaf "world" as a CODA and a sign language interpreter. 

So, as the struggle continues between groups who support the Cochlear Implant and those who don't, its important to note that the best way parents can make a decision for their Deaf baby is to be completely informed of all options that their child has. Something needs to change in order to educate new parents of a Deaf baby about both sides of the issue. What do you think would be the best way to do this? 

Check out the YouTube video below and let me know what you think about this topic by posting a comment on this blog.

Till' next time,

Heather

Six Flags America Deaf Awareness Day - June 20, 2009

Spring is slowly but surely creeping in, which means, Summer will be upon us. With Summer brings the annual event that most deaf families wait for, the Six Flags America Deaf Awareness Day (DAD)! Six Flags America is located near the Nation's Capital in Bowie/Mitchellville, Maryland.

I am volunteering my sign language interpreting services for DAD to give back to the deaf community in a fun and relaxing environment. For the past seven (7) years, Tina Burke has been volunteering her time to coordinate interpreters for this event. However, she has passed the baton to Gary Thomas and he is looking for a few more excellent interpreters for DAD. If you are looking for a way to volunteer your services in an informal setting, this could be the opportunity for you!

Since DAD has had such great turn outs and quality interpreting in the past years, Six Flags America is continuing to provide access to more and more shows with more and more performance times.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Gary Thomas at garyterp70@yahoo.com.

Also, Six Flags America Deaf Awarenes Day is a great opportunity for deaf families, hearing families, KODA's/CODA's and even interpreting students to come out and enjoy all of the shows, rides and attractions with the ease of communication accessibility. There will be interpreters at the first aid and guest services stations too.

I hope to see you there! :)

~Heather Mewshaw

Swine Flu - State of Maryland

Maryland Governor O'Malley along with other medical officials making a statement about the Swine Flu and that there are no cases found in the state of Maryland. I was the interpreter for this press conference. Check me out at 0:23-0:27!!

ASL Dinner at Fuddruckers - Columbia, MD

FUDDRUCKERS ASL DINNER

Thursday, April 23, 20095:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Come Support HCAD
Meet Old & New Friends and HCAD Officers
Help Students Practice ASL

Fuddruckers will donate a percentage of the sales with this flyer -- Please print it and give to cashier
Fuddruckers at Dobbin Center Way
6486 Dobbin Center Way;
Columbia, MD 21045(Off Dobbin Rd, Near Route 175)

Fuddruckers: (410) 992-0916 voice

Chairperson: Kim Tossman dktabe@verizon.net

Check out HCAD's web site: http://www.HowardCountyDeaf.org/

The Quality of Closed Captioning