X-VMS-To: msuvx1::in%"deaf-l@siucvmb"
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.deaf-l
Date:         Tue, 10 Nov 1992 17:29:00 CDT
From:         CONLEY%MSUVX2@MEMSTVX1.BITNET
Subject:      Re: Re:60 Minutes

>Subject:      Re: Re:60 Minutes

>About the decision of the cochlear implantation, don't you think it's
>by far the best solution to leave *that* decision with the parents?  It is
>your and my responsibility to inform these parents of all the pros and
>cons of everything, and I'm sure that these parents reached their decision
>with difficult soulsearching and discussions with a lot of other people.
>I would be opposed to anyone's interfering with their decision and preventing
>them from deciding.

>Chris Lehfeldt

        Chris,...boy, this turned out to be a BIG can of worms, huh?!!!

          Just to bring a different thought into perspective, what about
        the religious people, called Christian Scientists?.

          Their general belief of medicine and/or surgical practices, etc..
        is viewed as un-Godly, and not natural.  What are the pros and
        cons here?  BTW, I am not a Christian Scientist, and I am not
        condemning them or accepting them for their particular beliefs;
        I am simply stating a fact that their "belief" is theirs and it
        is viewed by them as being the "right way".

          Now, how does this fit in with cochlear implants?

          Is this an example of the way deaf people view cochlear implants?
        Are CI's viewed as un-natural or, (sorry to say this), is this a
        selfish act by the deaf culture?  As I've said before, I am one
        person who is definitely for the Deaf Culture; and in-as-much
        I guess what I'm asking is, What is the true reason for this
        unacceptance of the CI?

          Another example, (a personal one).  About 4 or 5 years ago,
        my 1st cousin conceived a baby girl, Mary.  Mary was born deformed;
        I could go into detail, but won't.  Anyway, Mary was
        born with numerous deformations which would require numerous
        years of surgical procedures to correct these deformations.
        Obviously, this little girl would have serious problems,
        emotional, physical, etc... if it weren't for these operations.
        The girl's parents decided to do ANYthing and EVERYthing to
        "make her right"; (please, wait... that's another discussion).
        I guess my question is: To what degree of deformality do we,
        as people see the need to "change it" or to "make it right"?

          Maybe I've gone a little "overboard" here, but, are these
        examples comparable?  and what is the REAL topic here?

          As I said in an earlier post, I saw the '60 Minutes'
        episode on the cochlear implants, and I must say that the
        little girl seemed happy that her parents decided to have it done.
        (This also brings to mind; the girl on '60 Minutes' was hearing
        until the attack of meningitis, so, she knew beforehand what
        it meant to be hearing, before she became deaf; so, this could
        just be shot to hell, huh?)

           (Sorry, guys; long post make me tired, too..I'll stop now)

        Just wanted to put in my "6th sense"; and yes, my soapbox needs
        polishing, so, until later.

                                        Steven Conlee
                                        CONLEY@MEMSTVX1.MEMST.EDU
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