Change.org petition for CI coverage

No one in my family signs, none of my friends sign, none of my co-workers sign...should I just find all new friends and family then....maybe a new job too?

Question. Does the fact that no one in your life signs, bother you? If it does, it's up to you to change that.
 
Question. Does the fact that no one in your life signs, bother you? If it does, it's up to you to change that.

No, not at all. I live in a hearing world. I prefer to live in a hearing world. I have no desire to learn ASL unless it was a last resort and I was completely deaf. Just commenting on other people's "deafism is superior" attitude. Having lived in "both" worlds, I'll take the hearing world any day....
 
Well, if I was hearing, I wouldn't be around here AD. I would be different person than I am now. I don't think I would be friendly person, considering how I grew up. I probably wouldn't met so many wonderful people in life if I wasn't. I don't know where I'd be in life if I wasn't... It's kinda scary to think about it. =/
 
Interesting. I don't think being deaf makes someone nice and friendly by default. Pretty sure hearies don't hold the corner market on asshats. I'd say its a safe bet there is the same ratio of nice people to assholes in the deaf world as there is in the hearing.
 
Last edited:
No, not at all. I live in a hearing world. I prefer to live in a hearing world. I have no desire to learn ASL unless it was a last resort and I was completely deaf. Just commenting on other people's "deafism is superior" attitude. Having lived in "both" worlds, I'll take the hearing world any day....

But it is OK for hearing people to see deafness as a negative thing that leaves people unable to function and let society believe that CIs are the only way to fix it?

Hmmm
 
But it is OK for hearing people to see deafness as a negative thing that leaves people unable to function and let society believe that CIs are the only way to fix it?

Hmmm

I remember you want to be designer but someone else gave you a slap by remarked that you have no hope for it because of your deafness...
 
But it is OK for hearing people to see deafness as a negative thing that leaves people unable to function and let society believe that CIs are the only way to fix it?

Hmmm

Hmmmmm, when exactly did I say that??
 
But it is OK for hearing people to see deafness as a negative thing that leaves people unable to function and let society believe that CIs are the only way to fix it?

Hmmm

I honestly don't see how the hearing world sees CI's as a way to fix the deaf. If you've been deaf you are going to stay deaf. A CI is not going to change that. It can help you to hear, not become hearing. I don't get the impression that the hearing world in general believes there is a fix anymore than they did with Hearing Aids.. and those that ever did are just plain ignorant.

Most people have been touched by hearing loss through elderly family members at least. Both those experiencing it directly and those on the outside trying to communicate with them learn very quickly that a hearing aid has limits and is not like glasses.

Where the two differ; CI's can give significant hearing to those who would otherwise not have any useful hearing beyond basic environmental sounds through a hearing aid.
 
My point is people who gives society the impression that CIs are the only answer are spreading misinformation.

Here's the thing, society in general, doesn't think about CI, or hearing aids, or deaf peope. They are irrelevant to them. In fact, if there isn't someone directly in their life that may possibly could use one, it would be very odd for them to be thinking about them in the first place. How much concern and thought to put into wheel chairs?


and nobody wants to answer my question about how important their vision is to them, and how that is pertinent to how the hearing world feels about hearing. I am finding this extremely interesting.
 
Here's the thing, society in general, doesn't think about CI, or hearing aids, or deaf peope. They are irrelevant to them. In fact, if there isn't someone directly in their life that may possibly could use one, it would be very odd for them to be thinking about them in the first place.

True. Same goes for other disabilities & diseases.


and nobody wants to answer my question about how important their vision is to them, and how that is pertinent to how the hearing world feels about hearing. I am finding this extremely interesting.

Went back and found your question:

So let me ask you a very simple question. Do you think being able to see, is better than not being able to see?

My answer is 'yes, of course'.

I am sure many don't want to answer this for fear of making you look 'right'....doesn't bother me, since I am a man, and no matter what, I am in the wrong....right?

:lol:


:iough:
 
I don't think the direct correlation between seeing and the implication of visual disabilities or challenges, and deaf/hearing issues, is quite accurate in that - there is a true and strong Deaf culture related to the latter. Again, the sociological and cultural basis of a linguistic minority group. And that which historically goes with cultural minority groups, which is a history of oppression...which continues today through less obvious means. Not the same as issues related to the sense of sight.
 
All I am going to say is:

When we are surrounded by others like us, we feel like an equal. When we are surrounded by others that are not like us, we feel inadequate and will want to be included, and will find ways to be included.

Late-deafened adults have it much worse than those of us that have learned to adapt.

It is easy for us to tell others to learn ASL, when in reality, it is not easy to do. Why learn ASL if no one around you is going to learn for your sake? No one in my circle of friends & family cared to learn for my sake. It wasn't until I entered the deaf world at 18 before I was able to use it. Late deafened adults do not always have the option to uproot their lives and move to another lifestyle, so they need to adapt....which is the hardest part.

As for insurance companies denying coverage....it all is a crock of political shit.

Bolded, yes very valid point, AND also on the other side of the same coin, it helps to further deny the disabilty factor on those born or came deaf much earlier on, like, sociel expections to 'overcome' is reinforced. Put other way, to overcome for those late deafen is acceptable because they WERE hearing as it is 'hearing culture' IS their 'Home culture' by for those growing up hearing culture isnt their home culture, and the overcoming expectation isn't acceptable.

and i agree about the last bold, political crock of course.
 
and nobody wants to answer my question about how important their vision is to them, and how that is pertinent to how the hearing world feels about hearing. I am finding this extremely interesting.

Come on ... that's a little unfair. Not every single question in every thread and every post gets answered. Your initial post with that question isn't even on this page anymore. Individual posts are easy enough to get forgotten, especially when posters are focusing on their own posts. Not that nobody wanted to answer your question.

And, I'm going to decline answering it because I think you already have an answer in your mind that you want, regardless of what any poster here answers.
 
Here's the thing, society in general, doesn't think about CI, or hearing aids, or deaf peope. They are irrelevant to them. In fact, if there isn't someone directly in their life that may possibly could use one, it would be very odd for them to be thinking about them in the first place. How much concern and thought to put into wheel chairs?


and nobody wants to answer my question about how important their vision is to them, and how that is pertinent to how the hearing world feels about hearing. I am finding this extremely interesting.

What are you expecting? As one of the people with both deafness and low vision, it's just something you adapt to if needed.

I started out sighted, but my eye disease certainly hasn't meant the end of my world, just adapting.
 
Here's the thing, society in general, doesn't think about CI, or hearing aids, or deaf peope. They are irrelevant to them. In fact, if there isn't someone directly in their life that may possibly could use one, it would be very odd for them to be thinking about them in the first place. How much concern and thought to put into wheel chairs?


and nobody wants to answer my question about how important their vision is to them, and how that is pertinent to how the hearing world feels about hearing. I am finding this extremely interesting.


Why do deaf children continue to be placed in oral only programs or be mainstreamed and then end up falling behind because they did t have full access to language and information? The view is behind this problem.
 
Interesting. I don't think being deaf makes someone nice and friendly by default. Pretty sure hearies don't hold the corner market on asshats. I'd say its a safe bet there is the same ratio of nice people to assholes in the deaf world as there is in the hearing.

Utterly bullshit. I never said that. :roll: I talked for myself, not anybody or you.

Someone else nailed it better:
"Don't ever pity the fact that I'm deaf. I am very grateful because I honestly don't know where I'd be in life if I wasn't. I probably wouldn't met so many wonderful people in life if I wasn't. I honestly got noticed more in hearing community than I would've if I was hearing. I wouldn't be at Gallaudet and met so many wonderful people if I was hearing. Don't ever feel sorry for me. I feel sorry for ignorant people. You take what you get in life and run with it. No matter what life gives you, people will always learn about themselves and find people who love them for who they are."

My point is, if I was hearing, I wouldn't meet many awesome friends I have. I probably would have very few friends, due to my personal shitty background. Well, whatever. I suppose that's not really matter, isn't it? All after hearing is so much important than being deaf, which means my current situation means nothing to hearing society...
 
I don't think the direct correlation between seeing and the implication of visual disabilities or challenges, and deaf/hearing issues, is quite accurate in that - there is a true and strong Deaf culture related to the latter. Again, the sociological and cultural basis of a linguistic minority group. And that which historically goes with cultural minority groups, which is a history of oppression...which continues today through less obvious means. Not the same as issues related to the sense of sight.

Yes, it is all about oppression. If a deaf person doesn't succeed as a hearing person, it is the deaf person`s fault when it really is the view on deafness by society. It really doesn't have to be that way at all.
 
What are you expecting? As one of the people with both deafness and low vision, it's just something you adapt to if needed.

I started out sighted, but my eye disease certainly hasn't meant the end of my world, just adapting.

If I lost my see sense, I personally wouldn't waste my time to worry about having "prefect" vision again. It's better to learn how to cope a new situation than cringe to normality... That's just me, that's all...
 
No one who has the ability to see wants to lose it. It's like asking to remove a vital component of your physiology, like would you want to remove your arms or hands now that you are used using them?
Sure, ask someone who already has loss of limbs and their response is going to differ from the majority of people.

Back to the blindness vs deafness issue, eye vision is one of those traits in society that are somewhat critical to life.

Take for example:
Can you watch movies or tv shows?
Can you read text/books (barring braille) as easily?
Can you read a map or find directions? (without relying on someone)
Can you take photography?
Can you run a marathon?
Can you operate a motorcycle or vehicle?
Is there a lot of work that doesn't require vision vs not requiring hearing?

If someone chooses to be deaf, they can still do a lot of things general society is capable of... There's like a steep difference from being stone deaf vs visual impairment.
 
I'm not sure why people would continue to advocate CI surgery for an infant in a very fragile state. Couldn't it seem reasonable to wait some time until the baby's health has fully recovered?
The parents are making the decision but we have no idea how the baby is feeling about it (or will feel about it).

I had jaundice when I was baby and had GI issue (chronic diarrhea) until 1991.

Yes, I agree with you and I'm very concerned about his health.

CI is better when he is in stable condition and don't have any fatal diseases.
 
Back
Top