I do use interpreter and prefer to sign. I am lucky my Boyfriend is Learning for me
I have at one point went back to the Doctor and demand he remove the implant--since having implant I have suffered from severe Vertigo and other symptoms. The surgeon told me if they were to remove the implant it will be worse because they have to re-cut the tissue and stuff--so I opted to leave it in not to make the vertigo worse than it already was.
I just don't want to be shunned from the Deaf community since I know some views on the implant.
Hey, Don't worry about it. The way you cherish the Deaf values - people will look past your CI's.
For example, this happened two weeks ago at a sushi bar I was at with my friend, Aaron.
We were chatting (in ASL, of course) having a gin/tonic. One lady came up to us in a shy manner and said "You two deaf?" We said, "Yup". She then says "I have a CI, my sign is bad" I went "Thats fine, dont worry about it."
Then she says "I want to learn more sign language, my parents never let me learn it in school" I smiled, and gave her information on deaf events in town that uses ASL so she can learn. Thennnnn she starts saying "im sorry for having a CI" we assured her that it was no big deal.
She was saying "Deaf people shun these who have a CI." Then Aaron says "Yo, I have CI's."
She then all of a sudden threw that perspective of "deaf people who shun..." out the window then started talking to us saying "Man, I really wish I knew sign language growing up" Then started listing out small issues but added up resulting in frustration. Aaron says "Yep, I understand" with a smile.
We exchanged information and she now knows where the ASL events in town are.
The point really is - these days the Deaf are starting to be aware of parents slapping CI's on kids everywhere. As long as you are willing to preserve the culture, we will welcome you.
