tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post2751679440093111529..comments2023-11-05T04:58:54.173-05:00Comments on An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Implant Story: Lay Off Miss Kat!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437710259566671762noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-63707865911464789432009-02-23T23:15:00.000-05:002009-02-23T23:15:00.000-05:00Miss Kat's Parent,I personally think that it's abo...Miss Kat's Parent,<BR/><BR/>I personally think that it's about what is best for the child in the long run. I had a slight language delay when I was growing up. I entered kindergarten at the age of six with the language of a four year old. However, I managed to catch up over the years thanks to my parents' hard work, and also my therapists and teachers who also helped me tremendously. There were certainly times when it took me a while to learn how to say a certain word correctly, but I was very persistence and continued to learn it until I got it correctly. Even if I couldn't say certain words correctly for a long period of time, that didn't stop me from communicating effectively as it's not about perfect speech, and I still understood the meaning of the word that I was trying to pronounce. However, if I said a word incorrectly, my parents would continually remind me how to say it correctly. Nothing happens overnight, and it's all about having patience. It certainly wasn't easy, and it was a lot of work for me to be able to learn to hear and to speak, but because today, I interact with people by hearing and speaking everyday, I feel that the years of hard work has been paid off. <BR/><BR/>Also, children who receive cochlear implants as young as six months to one year old develop hearing and spoken language very quickly. I know quite a few children who are 2 to 5 years old who are able to pick words through hearing and speaking very quickly. These children can learn new words within seconds by simply watching TV and picking words from it or from overhearing other people's conversations too. So, depending on the age of implantation, AVT can be just as effective method as ASL in terms of providing the fastest access to communication.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-52458343250805918162009-02-23T21:56:00.000-05:002009-02-23T21:56:00.000-05:00Ok, well, it is the fastest way to get a child to ...Ok, well, it is the fastest way to get a child to be able communicate. My daughter signed back to me 3 minutes after I showed her the sign for candy. She wasn't able to do that with spoken language, and that is why we chose to sign as well.<BR/>As for "best", how about I say, "it has shown to be very affective with cochlear implant rehab"?<BR/>I meant that ASL is very quick and easy for a child to learn, not that they won't be able to eventually with AVT.Miss Kat's Parentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08535904035034717518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-87211266887451420792009-02-23T21:31:00.000-05:002009-02-23T21:31:00.000-05:00Miss Kat's Parent,I also want to point out that I ...Miss Kat's Parent,<BR/><BR/>I also want to point out that I was born profoundly deaf and was raised with the AVT approach, and I personally feel that I can communicate via spoken language with an ease. I personally don't see how ASL can improve my communication skills as I don't know anybody except for maybe a few who knows ASL, and plus, all the people with whom I interact on daily basis, communicate by hearing and speaking.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-81662738619575767032009-02-23T20:52:00.000-05:002009-02-23T20:52:00.000-05:00"AVT is the best way to teach spoken language to a..."AVT is the best way to teach spoken language to a deaf/hoh child. ASL is the easiest way for a deaf/hoh child to communicate."<BR/><BR/>Miss Kat's Parent,<BR/><BR/>I disagree with this comment. No communication method is better than the other. <BR/><BR/>Let me ask you this question - how can a deaf or a hard of hearing child communicate via ASL with someone who does not know ASL? Remember, not everybody knows ASL, and thus, how can that be the easiest communication method?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-16105103281706370322009-02-23T20:04:00.000-05:002009-02-23T20:04:00.000-05:00Naomi,AVT is the best way to teach spoken language...Naomi,<BR/>AVT is the best way to teach spoken language to a deaf/hoh child. ASL is the easiest way for a deaf/hoh child to communicate. That would be the best of both worlds in my eyes. I have never asked a AV program or therapist to use ASL with my child or in a session. That would be unacceptable and against their philosophy, and I understand that. BUT what I do with my child, in our home, is none of their business. <BR/>TC programs (sign and speech combined) actually have the poorest outcomes of any methodology. That is why parenys like LiLi's mom and I do not want that for our children. We want pure ASL and pure spoken language, just at different times.Miss Kat's Parentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08535904035034717518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-12613504272730285532009-02-22T14:45:00.000-05:002009-02-22T14:45:00.000-05:00To the anon poster- I removed the comment, no one ...To the anon poster- I removed the comment, no one else.<BR/>JodiAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11437710259566671762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-42904799435454502642009-02-22T13:05:00.000-05:002009-02-22T13:05:00.000-05:00By the way, I see you continue to hide behind an a...By the way, I see you continue to hide behind an anonymous name. ;)mishkazenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07714824721166601510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-72511131161902636662009-02-22T13:03:00.000-05:002009-02-22T13:03:00.000-05:00Since you refuse to refresh my memory, I wonder wh...Since you refuse to refresh my memory, I wonder why. <BR/><BR/>I cannot answer your question as I have no idea what you are talking about. I've asked others who did see my comment and they don't know what you are talking about, either. <BR/><BR/>As far as I am aware, I am not throwing anything in the trashbasket nor am I guilty for my words. Please don't put words into my hands as you have no idea what I think or feel.mishkazenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07714824721166601510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-10549676012961116062009-02-21T22:07:00.000-05:002009-02-21T22:07:00.000-05:00Mishkazena writes: "Can you refresh my memory...Mishkazena writes: "Can you refresh my memory?" You played stupid as usual! You hurried removing your comment, but it was already copied with date & time. Next time, be honest with yourself in all of your cmments and blogs!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-80126263989366581312009-02-21T18:49:00.000-05:002009-02-21T18:49:00.000-05:00At the risk of starting a string of methodology re...At the risk of starting a string of methodology responses (which is not my intent) I just wanted to comment on the response about parents wanting to use sign language being booted of an AVT program. The fundamental premise of AVT is maximising audition for speech and hearing, so as a consequence the use of sign is not part of that program methodology. Parents can still choose which methodology they wish to use for their own children and if they wish to incorporate sign language then AVT is not the most suitable program. There are other programs that will support both sign and spoken languge and these are a far better option than AVT for the parents that have chosen this route for their children. Don't attack the program because it stays true to the principles of its purpose, but rather spend your energies ensuring that there are programs available to meet the needs and choices that parents are making for their childrenNaomihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15051686083182215146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-25189122320237982532009-02-21T16:06:00.000-05:002009-02-21T16:06:00.000-05:00Rachel...Rockin' response...Have a good weekend to...Rachel...<BR/>Rockin' response...<BR/>Have a good weekend to all...<BR/>JodiAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11437710259566671762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-54177578458162188002009-02-21T14:13:00.000-05:002009-02-21T14:13:00.000-05:00Rachel, I wish that were true, that taxpayers pay ...Rachel, I wish that were true, that taxpayers pay for interpreters in general, but that isn't the case.<BR/><BR/>While taxpayers would pay for interpreters in public schools or in appointments with government agencies, or in the government workplace but thats about it I would imagine.<BR/><BR/>One could argue that taxpayer pay for interpreters in police stations and courtrooms, but the problem is that they often deny interpreters.<BR/><BR/>Taxpayers do not pay for interpreters in emergency rooms, doctor's offices, lawyers, etc.<BR/><BR/>If taxpayers actually paid for all interpreters, we would not be seeing the denial of that particular communication access ya know?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-57552636602975265602009-02-21T08:32:00.000-05:002009-02-21T08:32:00.000-05:00Rachel, my sentiments as well. I'm all for support...Rachel, my sentiments as well. I'm all for supporting access for all deaf by all communication means.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-25030728804513365852009-02-21T05:19:00.000-05:002009-02-21T05:19:00.000-05:00I'm wondering if these people who see fit to attac...I'm wondering if these people who see fit to attack a parent and child in this manner, violate laws in the USA ? Surely it is child abuse and discrimination ? I think there is a blurring of 'rights' and it is being used to isolate and pigeon-hole people, via threats if they don't conform. It is about acceptances not conformity. Why make deaf children suffer for Deaf adult bigotry ? They should pick on people their own size... we know how to sort them out.mervynjames224https://www.blogger.com/profile/06689615164654187617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-15226841955874913062009-02-20T19:57:00.000-05:002009-02-20T19:57:00.000-05:00Rachel.That is a mighty good point. Thank you.Rachel.<BR/><BR/>That is a mighty good point. Thank you.Miss Kat's Parentshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08535904035034717518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-6575966227900191732009-02-20T18:31:00.000-05:002009-02-20T18:31:00.000-05:00*by providing them with cochlear implants...Just a...*by providing them with cochlear implants...<BR/><BR/>Just a little typo there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-42143109485662097192009-02-20T18:29:00.000-05:002009-02-20T18:29:00.000-05:00Jean,If the government are willing to provide deaf...Jean,<BR/><BR/>If the government are willing to provide deaf people with interpreters by using the tax payer's money so that they can communicate with people who have no knowledge of sign language, then they should help those people who can have the ability to hear and to speak provide cochlear implants so that they can have the same access as deaf people who don't have cochlear implants and use interpreters. I'm not saying that cochlear implants is a better option. I'm saying that people should have the option to choose to communicate by hearing and speaking and use cochlear implants or by using sign language and using interpreters.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-14406844954448019542009-02-20T17:30:00.000-05:002009-02-20T17:30:00.000-05:00Jean at 4:53 PM: You stated that:"BUT: Cochlear I...Jean at 4:53 PM: You stated that:<BR/><BR/>"BUT: Cochlear Implanters have no business to have American Taxpayers pay out of pockets for their cochlear implantation via Medicaid. They ought to pay an insurance that would cover the implantation surgery expenses or apply for financial assistance from some charity."<BR/><BR/>American Taxpayers and Medicaid. I have no problem with that.<BR/><BR/>Okay, Jean, I'll give you an example.<BR/><BR/>Would you care for soldiers who lost their hearing due to the bombs? They sacrificed their lives for our country. After the September 11th, many soldiers have sacrificed their lives to save others.<BR/><BR/>You have a lot to think about, Jean. That's the case. I have no problem with that.<BR/><BR/>White GhostAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-66243075288729009602009-02-20T16:53:00.000-05:002009-02-20T16:53:00.000-05:00Valhallian writes:"The CI is here to stay and it i...Valhallian writes:<BR/><BR/>"The CI is here to stay and it is not going to go away."<BR/><BR/>I have no problem with people who want to be implanted. They have free will of choice. <BR/><BR/>BUT:<BR/><BR/>Cochlear implanters have no business to have American taxpayers pay out of their pockets for their cochlear implantation via Medicaid. They ought to buy an insurance that would cover the implantation surgery expenses or apply for financial assistance from some charity.<BR/><BR/>Deafness is not an illness. Deafness is merely an absence of one of the senses. To compensate for deafness, a person -- by nature -- increases a perception of two senses, namely, sight and feel -- the former of which many hearing people take for granted.<BR/><BR/>Jean BoutcherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-37165213846042325392009-02-20T12:12:00.000-05:002009-02-20T12:12:00.000-05:00Rachel hit the nail right smack on the head with h...Rachel hit the nail right smack on the head with her last comment.<BR/><BR/>The CI is here to stay and it is not going to go away. As a matter of fact, at the rate technology progresses, the CI is only going to get better. However, I also believe that there will be a time when the CI will head towards the phase of become obsolete, and that is when stem cell research is able to clone a cochlear for cochlear transplants.<BR/><BR/>It is the cochlear transplant that will eventually decrease the size of the deaf community because there is no way that it would be known that they are deaf, whereas you can see that with the CI users.<BR/><BR/>Bottom line, we as a deaf community, need to be able to accept all communication modes to be able to progress forward as a deaf community. Not doing so will only keep the deaf community where it is or set it back and there will be no forward progress.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-15106336496432587882009-02-20T11:15:00.000-05:002009-02-20T11:15:00.000-05:00I will have to agree with Rachel, she's right in t...I will have to agree with Rachel, she's right in that regard. <BR/><BR/>I know this post is to support Miss Kat, and I have left my comment over at Miss Kat's blog supporting her.<BR/><BR/>The big issue with all of this is lack of respect for the other parent's choice and all the labels one tends to throw at another.<BR/><BR/>The extremists, you know who you are, needs to be stopped in their tracks, they are the ones that make the deaf community (D or d) look bad. Who wants to be part of that community if the extremist from that community contintues to do what they do. What is interesting is that, we do not see ANY extremist from the deaf community coming out in full force when someone puts a parent down for implanting their child. tsk tsk. <BR/><BR/>We have seen so much of the ASL deaf community putting down the C.I./oral communty but rarely do we see C.I./oral putting down the ASL deaf community.<BR/><BR/>One can be sure that I have put down MY OWN community for their double standards and I will continue to do so. I have every right to because the ASL deaf community is MY birthright whether I like it or not and whether I want to be part of it or not and whether anyone likes it or not.<BR/><BR/>ASL is *NOT* a criteria to be part of the so called Deaf community.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-76240414885254052922009-02-20T00:15:00.000-05:002009-02-20T00:15:00.000-05:00Rachel, we're here to give support to Miss Kat's m...Rachel, we're here to give support to Miss Kat's mom and others like her who are giving their child a comprehensive approach.<BR/><BR/>The occasional kook who tries to rain on a parent's parade because of inclusion of the CI isn't representative of the Deaf Community. Far from bringing it down, they are more likely to be left behind.<BR/><BR/>As Mishkazena said, Miss Kat is representative of the Deaf community of the future: a whole generation of CI children using ASL. Happy thought, but we will have to see if it will be that homogeneous. ;-)Dianrezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07077219189139398901noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-71021567136585580712009-02-19T23:38:00.000-05:002009-02-19T23:38:00.000-05:00You know what puzzles me? If these Deaf people re...You know what puzzles me? If these Deaf people reject people who use cochlear implants even if they use ASL like Miss Kat, do they realize that they are causing the Deaf community to shrink or even causing the Deaf community to disappear? I understand that many people cherish the Deaf community, and in order for it to continue to exist, those extremists need to welcome people from all walks of life and talk about ASL positively by talking about their appreciation for the Deaf Culture and ASL, why they are proud to be part of it and having the ability to use ASL, how the Deaf Culture and ASL have enriched their life, and why they feel that they're living in a fulfilling life, and also talk about what they have accomplished as a deaf person.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-5206584871315703032009-02-19T20:07:00.000-05:002009-02-19T20:07:00.000-05:00Whoa, Miss Kat's Mom! Your child isn't Deaf becau...Whoa, Miss Kat's Mom! Your child isn't Deaf because her mother is hearing?!? That is a new one, and I thought I had seen everything. <BR/><BR/>Whoever told you that has a a couple screws loose. <BR/><BR/>Elizabeth (Mishka Zena) is correct. The majority of Deaf people come from hearing parents.<BR/><BR/>My own parents are Hearing. <BR/><BR/><BR/>Jodi,<BR/><BR/>I, too, must apologize for inadvertently hijacking your blog in response to Mishka Zena's comment. Out of respect for your topic, I will not continue my debate with Rachel on this blog, but on another blog or vlog...possibly on my own, IF she ever visits there. (Right now, I have a full schedule with all my boys' hockey schedules, my own life, etc though, so I'm not sure when I'll blog yet. ) <BR/><BR/>Jean Boutcher, you gave a beautiful explanation on what bilingual and bicultural means. My compliments to a fellow bilingual, except I believe you are trilingual, aren't you?<BR/><BR/>ShelShelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01658793792301980725noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-70347807204489654002009-02-19T17:45:00.000-05:002009-02-19T17:45:00.000-05:00"Because I am hearing, and I value spoken language..."Because I am hearing, and I value spoken language. she isn't Deaf. Maybe someday, when she rejects me and the hearing world, then she can call herself Deaf, but I don't have the right to use that word"<BR/><BR/>Miss Kat's parents, the majority of Deaf people have hearing parents. Some Deaf people accept hearing world. Some Deaf people can talk. <BR/><BR/>One thing is for sure about the Deaf Community is the variability of Deaf people. Some Deaf people associate with other Deaf people only. Some Deaf people socialize with both Deaf and Hearing people. Some Deaf people can talk while others don't. Some Deaf people do use hearing aids while others don't. <BR/><BR/>But if Miss Kat is Deaf and uses ASL, she is a member of the Deaf Community.mishkazenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07714824721166601510noreply@blogger.com