A discussion vlog: Carl Schroeder discusses how the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) position statement respecting Deaf individuals no matter what technology they use had influenced his father George who was born Deaf into pursuing cochlear implants (CI). However, it was his health insurance and medical companies who turned down his bid for CI. His father went through a lot of meetings and trainings to prepare for such impracticality of CI.
Monday, June 29, 2009
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The tone of the NAD's position paper composed in 1993 was softened than in 1991. Again, the NAD has become softer about CI in 2000 -- the same year when Jane K. Fernandes founded the Cochlear Implant Center at the Laurent Clerc School as well as Philip Aiello became the NAD Board's first member who was imnplanted in 1999 or thereabouts. It was in 2000when James Tucker, superintendent of my alma mater, Maryland School, opined that CI was like hearing aid (source: "Gallaudet Today", Fall/Winter 2000 [or 2001]).
Back to square one, the NAD distrbuted copies of the 1991 position paper to hospital doctors where CI was performed. The NAD had requested that doctors be reading the position paper TO parents and their children prior to the implantion. A doctor or two from the Johns Hopkins Hospital were planning to discuss CI with students in Audiology Department at Gallaudet, but severa students and I prevented them from entering Edward Miner Gallaudet Building. Audiology Department's chairman was angered and wrote a letter to President Jordan about me and other protesters (1993) human-chaining the entrance door of EMG building.
Hi Carl,
I just saw your video about CI and Dad. It's good thing that the insurance company said no. Whew. I wonder if the priests today are still Aristotelian by saying that Deaf individuals could not go to heaven because they could not hear the word of God.
I remember reading quote he once said that deaf people were born deaf become senseless and incapable of reason.
Few years ago when I had lunch with my father, mind you, he could not sign well. (no surprise here) and he asked me if I was willing to get CI while I was eating. I was flags battered. I asked him why in the world would he ask me this question and he said he just wanted to see me happy and get a job. I was extremely upset and told him that I'm very happy who I am.
He said he would pay for it. Nice. I told him not to bring up the conversation ever again.
Also, I'd like to add something else too.
It is an honorable calling that Deaf people have chosen. Some of hearing people (who supports CI) will soon be defending poor, helpless insurance companies who are constantly being sued by Deaf people trying to collect THEIR policies. Others like big and dirty politicians will work tirelessly to protect frightened, beleaguered CI companies from being attacked by Deaf people like us.
That is why CI has to be stopped. Period.
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