I would like to clarify for Sweetmind and for everyone else who's been following the drama here -
I never once said that there were no "stories" or cases where deaf individuals were not treated fairly in the past. This includes you and the hundreds of thousands of others that are angered by some of the same things you are. NEVER did I say that. I know BETTER.
However, it sounds like SOMEONE is still living in the past and harbors a very bitter grudge. I can definitely understand that, Sweetmind...okay? Please don't think I'm addressing your posts with the intent to flame you for something you feel so strongly about - what I don't agree with is your tendency to scapegoat.
You see - YOU had a bad experience with medical care you received. I have some news for you - so did I. I got a CI in 2002, and then I ended up with meningitis in 2004. They say the cause of the meningitis was because of the use of a positioner and since then and after I recovered from the illness, they sent me in for another surgery, where they removed the positioner and re-implanted me with a later model of cochlear implant. As for the meningitis, it was a stroke of bad luck and I'm lucky to be alive today....but I am now stronger than I was before.
You don't see me whining about it, though...and you certainly don't see me trying to solicit money to make up for botched medical care. It would make more sense if it happened recently, but it didn't. You were a child when the mistakes were made, so at this point, you're very unlikely to get any reimbursement for that one doctor's errors now.
As for you going to Gally - it's a suggestion being made to you by others - doesn't mean we're "audists" or we're trying to shove aside some of the pain you've endured in recent years. If you don't want to take classes at Gallaudet - DON'T. If you want to, go for it. It's your decision - try not to take everything as a personal insult. Another thing - If you've been trying to obtain good medical coverage and support for yourself for the last seventeen years, you should know by now that it's not easy.
Your frustrations are poorly placed, that's all. We aren't here to flame you as a highly opinionated woman, we are only trying to introduce to you ideas that may not correspond with your own.
And to everyone else - I'm sorry this thread has taken an entirely new direction - anyone with the capability to do so is welcome to take whichever posts they think fit, and put them into a seperate thread.
I just disagree so strongly with some of the things I've seen here and I've tried staying on topic as much a possible...I guess when I see something that upsets me, I'll respond to it, regardless of where it is.
It all started with a dog, though!