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Date:         Fri, 20 Nov 1992 20:01:46 -0500
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From:         "STEVEN T. HARDY--GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY" <12SHARDY@GALLUA.BITNET>
Subject:      Rosen Reacts to 60 Minutes (from TFA.dis at Gallaudet)

>
>From NAD president Roz Rosen:
>
>----------
>
>Some of you may have seen [the] 60 Minutes program [aired Sunday,
>November 8] on cochlear implants.  The show focused on several
>issues, one of which was the cochlear implants on children.  Dr.
>Harlan Lane and I appeared, but the show was overwhelmingly
>biased in favor of cochlear implants.  The show started with the
>7 year old little girl who got an implant early in life after she
>contacted spinal meningitis...now, this girl was truly cute as a
>button and just as precocious.
>
>Ed Bradley, the anchorperson for this segment, had interviewed me
>for 3 hours.  3 long, gruelling hours.  I am sure he also
>interviewed Harlan for hours!
>
>The producer for a segment, not the interviewer, is actually the
>one who edits and decides what the major themes are, what stays
>and what ends up on the editing floor.  The producer for this was
>Ruth Seelman.
>
>Before I consented to do this, Ruth had to assure me that she
>understood my concerns and promised to do a fair, balanced show.
>One of the issues I raised with her was the need to find a
>"representative deaf implanted child" and the importance of
>leaving the viewers with an appreciation for diversity in the
>U.S.A.
>
>What happened is now history.  Needless to say, I am dismayed
>with the result, which is an obvious bias towards the implant.
>The segments showing Harlan and me focused on fringe kinds of
>points, almost irrelevant in perspective, rather than the main
>points, which are as follows:
>
>l. The risks associated with the implant;
>
>2. The limitations the implant imposes (e.g. contact sports, MRI
>   head x-rays) in addition to making the implantee a patient for
>   life;
>
>3. The fact that the average implanted child will still need
>   assistive devices and sign language, in addition to intense
>   training in oral and aural skills;
>
>4. The fact that so much time, energy and money will be devoted
>   to this instead to family understanding of deafness and
>   beginning the bonding;
>
>5. The fact that for many, an implant is not significantly better
>   than an external hearing aid;
>
>6. The fact that many older implanted children hate the implants;
>
>and
>
>7. The fact that diversity in the U.S.A. has become a theme song
>   and personal diversity is something to be cherished rather
>   than fixed and erased.
>
>We understand that parents want to do the very best for their
>children, and our hearts go out to them.  We want to be allies,
>rather than adversaries in this process.  We want these children
>to feel good about themselves as Deaf Children, rather than to
>perceive themselves as misfits programmed to fit in the "normal"
>mold and striving to do so.
>
>If the implanted girl was so successful, why are strenuous speech
>and auditory lessons still needed?
>
>It is my understanding that the 60 Minutes show sometimes has
>letters to the station read within 1-3 weeks after the show, so
>if you have feelings about the show, please do write to:
>
>        Ruth Streeter
>        60 Minutes
>        336 Central Park West
>        Apt 14-B
>        New York, NY  11025
>
>
>Also, if you want to become involved with the NAD effort to
>enlighten the American public and parents regarding diversity and
>acceptance, please do let me know and we sure can use you in our
>advocacy efforts!!
>
>Thank you.
>
>Roz Rosen
>[e-mail RROSEN@GALLUA.BITNET]


*******************************************************************************
Steven Thomas Hardy                     Was mich nicht umbringt,
12SHARDY@GALLUA.BITNET                     macht mich starker
Gallaudet University
800 Florida Ave, NE Box 2635            202/651-5540 v/t
Washington DC 20002                     202/651-5747 fax
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