tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post4989923611782751851..comments2023-11-05T04:58:54.173-05:00Comments on An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Implant Story: Enough Dialogue- Build the Bridge!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11437710259566671762noreply@blogger.comBlogger174125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-29039085344971902212009-02-08T15:48:00.000-05:002009-02-08T15:48:00.000-05:00Not often I disgaree with Mishka but.... it is alw...Not often I disgaree with Mishka but.... it is always an over simplification to suggest the issue we face are orals or sign language, even discrimination at most points, once you narrow it down to that, there is no place for compromise to go. It's a source of people trying to justify each other all the time..<BR/><BR/>I do NOT believe communications are the real issue here, but, entrenched and negative ATTITUDES, and cultural clashes. So people sign, it is NOT a big deal and many can acquire enough basic skills to talk things over, it requires the will, not necessarily the skills.<BR/><BR/>I've lived with and loved a born-deaf signing partner from the deaf community for over 18 years, I'd be the last to claim I am a perfect sign user, or, a member of the 'community' of cultural deaf people, it made no difference. It won't make a difference unless you make it so.<BR/><BR/>People respond (I find anyway), to care, love, understanding, and patience and a prepardeness to compromise, I don't give any more or less than I would wish for myself, this doesn't mean either party have to give up what they are, or how they feel. <BR/><BR/>I appear to have already built MY bridge sucessfuly for 18 years. The politics of deafness really does leave me angry, and it's true, those who want to maintain divides, are usually those who cannot cross the divide anyway. So scared others will try, they oppose, and are bent on preventing it happening. So far there is not much to choose between either sector...<BR/><BR/>It's driven by fear, not culture, or CI implantions... We are all so scared....mervynjames224https://www.blogger.com/profile/06689615164654187617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-72531833295370321262009-02-08T15:47:00.000-05:002009-02-08T15:47:00.000-05:00I agree with Candy, the frickin' labels are gettin...I agree with Candy, the frickin' labels are getting in the way and there's really no time to lose in getting a package of ALL options in front of parents of deaf babies.<BR/><BR/>We're all biased in many ways, each of us has a preferred communication mode for primary language, each of us know what his/her own views are, each of us has a view of the definition of deafness (I'm not going to go there), likewise parents are of either the hearing culture or the deaf culture, and so on. <BR/><BR/>But it's realizing that there is something much bigger than any of us, the future of deaf babies and their potential, that d/Deaf people and concerned parents should try to rise above their differing biases and the labeling or name-calling, and stop criticising other views. This petty business of bias is what causes a dialogue to go nowhere and pffft! nothing gets accomplished. Jodi is trying to stay focused on the goal of building bridges. <BR/><BR/>On another note, bias tend to creep in when an option is presented, and this is another problem altogether. Which is why presenters have to use neutral language to inform parents of deaf babies of the options available to them. The presenters have to leave out their own personal bias, otherwise we're gonna hear accusations from all sides about undue influence. <BR/><BR/>Ann_CAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-21344558890009534002009-02-08T15:41:00.000-05:002009-02-08T15:41:00.000-05:00Hey, Would anyone mind carrying the comments over ...Hey, <BR/>Would anyone mind carrying the comments over to the next blog post? The scrolling is getting exhausting.<BR/>*smile*<BR/>Night night,<BR/>JodiAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11437710259566671762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-38475293105293421062009-02-08T15:28:00.000-05:002009-02-08T15:28:00.000-05:00Nice try, Shirley.Rachel and MFChaikof have never ...Nice try, Shirley.<BR/><BR/>Rachel and MFChaikof have never called us audists, even, *IF* we don't sign and have CIs. You have assumed many people's minds and attitudes. I don't need you to educate me. Your'e *not* my Momma.<BR/><BR/>Kim at 2:22 PM and Candy at 2:46 PM,<BR/><BR/>Well said! That's very, very true!<BR/><BR/>White GhostAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-65671878678222358732009-02-08T15:03:00.000-05:002009-02-08T15:03:00.000-05:00I am hard of hearing born to culturally deaf famil...I am hard of hearing born to culturally deaf family with 2 sets of aunts and uncles who were deaf. I like calling myself deaf notice that I don't use little d or big D..because I am not fond of using labels) although I do respect anyone who wishes to use the term differently to define themselves. That's ok by me. <BR/>All this bashing and name calling is totally unnecessary and it is not me. I would prefer to stay away from people who have such strong feeling and will impose their thoughts and opinions in manner that's unbecoming. <BR/><BR/>I reasonate with Li-Li's Mom...she's such a calm and centered person who has obviously influenced Li-Li to be such a delightful little girl. I enjoy reading about her progress and know she'll go far in life. Her parents are so cool and even tempered. They are admirable. They are also lucky to have found such wonderful support and hopefully, other parents will seek them out for the experiences they've had. <BR/><BR/>I don't have anything more to add here except I'm saddened to see it come to this. As for Rachel and her Mom...I wish them nothing but the best. I don't share anything with them but I also don't have any ill feelings toward them. They are biased. I like to think I am not biased and I will talk about good experiences I've had thus far in my life. <BR/><BR/>Jodi....like I said, I'm there anytime you need pep talk or info. ;-) I think you and I could have been friends if our paths should ever cross. <BR/><BR/>Cheers...SharonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-90718346062305942762009-02-08T14:46:00.000-05:002009-02-08T14:46:00.000-05:00Kim, exactly. Being HOH from a culturally deaf fa...Kim, exactly. Being HOH from a culturally deaf family, I do use "hearing impaired." when speaking to hearing people because they understand the term better (And then I educate them and say that certain members of deaf community do NOT like that term, just so you know - lol), I may say HOH at times, it all depends. And I don't take offense to words like deafness and so on. Some of us are just more accommodating and understanding than others to some degree. I just find it silly to get upset over some terminology. Because there are bigger things to deal with and eventually, hopefully the issues of bridging or let's put it this way, perhaps one day all deaf people will have more tolerance of differing views and choices and not use terminology as a weapon. I do not devalue myself in any way by calling myself a hearing impaired person no more than the ADA in defining us as disabled. <BR/><BR/>Attitudes eventually rectify itself with education, but views and attitudes are two separate things. Assuming that one has a certain view does not always define the attitude at best.<BR/><BR/>I try to step back and imagine what if I was a hearing parent, what if I never met a deaf person before. Try walking into other people's shoe first. <BR/><BR/>To wait until everyone stops being an audist is going to take another 50 to 100 years, perhaps never.. and we don't have time to wait. There will always be someone who is an "ist" and who is guilty of "ism." Just get that fricking bridge built somehow and give Jodi ideas!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-87661734057599687312009-02-08T14:22:00.000-05:002009-02-08T14:22:00.000-05:00I know this is off topic, but it has reared its ug...I know this is off topic, but it has reared its ugly head again. Calling people names, like audist, doesn't do much to help dialog. Someone recently commented that words like 'deafness' are audist. Actually that's not new information to me. However, I use the term all the time in regard to my personal experience as a late-deafened person. <BR/><BR/>My definitions of deaf and deafness have changed over time. In fact, I consider losing your hearing a loss if you were born with perfect hearing. Deafness is a different state of being for me. I was not born this way. <BR/><BR/>I don't expect others on either side --hearing or Deaf-- to fully understand my deaf experience or how I describe it. <BR/><BR/>Sometimes it almost seems that no matter what word a non-Deaf person uses to describe the condition of having little or no hearing, it is considered offensive. Unless of course one uses the term Deaf and Deafhood-- which I can't. It doesn't apply to me since my primary language is English and I still communicate that way most of the time. <BR/><BR/>Here are some examples of offensive words-- deaf (offensive because it's not capitalized); hearing-impaired (offensive because it places too much emphasis on impairment, instead of ability); deafness (offensive because it insinuates a state of being, rather than a culture). . .<BR/><BR/>But my culture is hearing, and deafness IS a state of being in my case. Within the deaf community all of these terms have their place when used appropriately. Still, I can see how confusing it can be for a hearing person. It's no wonder they may find it difficult to be politically correct at all times.<BR/><BR/>Instead of looking for ways to be offended, it could do a lot of good to look at the overall message-- the intention of the commenter, rather than picking apart langauge. <BR/><BR/>We must realize we are two different cultures speaking two different languages. There are bound to be some misunderstandings. Let's try to be a little more charitable towards each other-- OK?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-3007970262742813552009-02-08T13:50:00.000-05:002009-02-08T13:50:00.000-05:00White Ghost,You want DeafChip to reprimand me?And ...White Ghost,<BR/><BR/>You want DeafChip to reprimand me?<BR/><BR/>And you made no effort to reprimand MFChaikof and Rachel Chaikof for being biased with an audist attitude above?<BR/><BR/>Another typical deafie that never reprimands hearing people but always whipping Deaf people.<BR/><BR/>That's call crab theory, deaf people never crab theory hearing people but weak enough to crab theory Deaf People.<BR/><BR/>I am not finish with you, you need to be educated.<BR/>Stick around.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-86740319506333367862009-02-08T13:35:00.000-05:002009-02-08T13:35:00.000-05:00Shirley,You made the assumption on me. I still re...Shirley,<BR/><BR/>You made the assumption on me. I still read the deafread. I'm entitled to read the deafread. Don't tell me what to do. I'm an adult. This is America.<BR/><BR/>Deafchip, Thanks for the clarification.<BR/><BR/>You stated that "Did I name specific people in the public as audists? No, I didn't"<BR/><BR/>You need to reprimand Shirley.<BR/><BR/>White GhostAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-24022361107979940422009-02-08T13:17:00.001-05:002009-02-08T13:17:00.001-05:00Being unbiased means appraising both the pros and ...Being unbiased means appraising both the pros and cons of different communication methods realistically and fairly. There is NO one cookie cutter for all Deaf and HoH kids. Compounding the problem is the value of hearing in two distinct cultures. One culture values hearing and speaking orally while the other culture devalues hearing, preferring a visible language. Then one needs to deal with differing attitudes toward certain groups of people, based on their cultural beliefs. Some people spoke of personal experiences only to see themselves repeatedly dismissed. Being unbiased means knowing people using different communication methods, not one group who has positive experiences with one certain method. Being unbiased means no use of scare tactics to coerce parents into a particular communication philosophy or badmouthing communication methods or certain groups. <BR/><BR/>Not everybody can put aside their personal bias and work with the parents, letting the parents decide for themselves what is the best approach for their Deaf children. Not everybody can put aside their personal bias and work with others who don't share their beliefs. For them, I suggest that they work with people they feel most comfortable with.<BR/><BR/>Find those who are moderates, especially those who have traveled both worlds. They can understand the needs of the Deaf children and the desires of the hearing parents, yet have no personal bias against certain people based on cultural mores and communication methods.mishkazenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07714824721166601510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-56151903483175320732009-02-08T13:17:00.000-05:002009-02-08T13:17:00.000-05:00I agree with Shirley. It is all about attitudes.My...I agree with Shirley. It is all about attitudes.<BR/><BR/>My best friend is CI user and my friends are hearing aid users, audiologists, and so on. I am hearing aid user. They are not audists because of their positive attitudes. That is the difference. They have respected and recognized Deaf culture. They even encourage all Deaf children to take bilingual approach with or without any additional communication tool whatever parents want as long as their babies' natural rights are protected.<BR/><BR/>Did i name specific people in the public as audists? No I didn't!<BR/><BR/>Yes it is very very important for people to be aware of audism. People need to be educated about audism that will make the difference and that will eliminate genocide of Deaf culture and Sign Language. It is not about choices, it is about rights.<BR/><BR/>We cannot hide from the issue of audism. We must face that. It is too bad people dont want to face the fact. Where is ostrich's head?<BR/><BR/>We have to work together to solve the audism issues, then we have a better chance of building a bridge. We cannot mop any problem under the carpet and forget about them and ask to work together to build a fragile bridge (due to too many gaps - no solved issues)<BR/><BR/>DeafchipDavidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843913237044532178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-9850388352332775862009-02-08T13:10:00.000-05:002009-02-08T13:10:00.000-05:00White Ghost,I will still continue to educate paren...White Ghost,<BR/><BR/>I will still continue to educate parents in a non-biased way, the truth, nothing but the truth from my own experience in both worlds, oral and ASL.<BR/><BR/>If you are finished here, then you may go back to Deaf Village and talk the talk.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-64607725984445339492009-02-08T12:57:00.000-05:002009-02-08T12:57:00.000-05:00To Karen. Indeed there were a number of blogs a...To Karen. <BR/><BR/>Indeed there were a number of blogs about building bridges, I did a lot of them and still do, but we cannot approach the issue unless we (A) Ignore the past and start anew, or (B)leave it to brought up ever-defending their own corner.<BR/><BR/>I took the stance of taking on the more extreme elements of each anti-sector, on both sides, it is naive to think the deaf-Deaf divide is a cocoa-cola advert, this is real people in real time, living real lives.<BR/><BR/>I don't think it negative to address this extremism, as I see it is a vital part of laying down the foundations for bridges to be built, in part, I accept that taking on this extremism, means, I will be a (Not in a pretentious way !), like a latter-day Moses, and like him, not allowed into the promised land as a result.<BR/><BR/>Only the meek and moderate inherit unity, and can make it work, but it takes the strong and immoderate to lay the foundations. We each have our part to play.mervynjames224https://www.blogger.com/profile/06689615164654187617noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-58592200515957657382009-02-08T12:56:00.000-05:002009-02-08T12:56:00.000-05:00Yippee, I found this website -- please take a look...Yippee, I found this website -- please take a look and see what it is like. I think we should start a website like this.<BR/><BR/>http://www.wrongplanet.net/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-35291649255034030812009-02-08T12:53:00.001-05:002009-02-08T12:53:00.001-05:00Shirley,Of course, I comprehend things like that.T...Shirley,<BR/><BR/>Of course, I comprehend things like that.<BR/><BR/>Think about the visual-impaired people. I would *NOT* call them sightists.<BR/><BR/>Now, I am getting out of yours. Your'e finished. My mind is now closing on you. Good bye.<BR/><BR/>White GhostAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-19394191954060410212009-02-08T12:53:00.000-05:002009-02-08T12:53:00.000-05:00As for using the word, "audist", it is something f...As for using the word, "audist", it is something for us to express the feelings of being oppressed, not listened to and respected. <BR/><BR/>We often feel that hearing parents do not really seek us out or take our advice about raising a deaf child. I'm not sure why. Our question remains, "Why don't some hearing parents take our advice or listen to us?" Instead they prefer to listen to medical professionals who proclaim that they know what it is like to raise a deaf child. <BR/><BR/>This is hurtful and we feel betrayed. If you had a child with Asperger's Syndrome, would you seek out Asperger adults to ask for their advice and suggestion? There is a website that was designed by Asperger adults where people can go and ask questions about how to raise an Asperger's child. Parents really listen to them and it is a wonderful site. SO I guess deaf people may need to develop a website and answer questions. This will empower us and maybe then we will be taken seriously.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-42686189370891672312009-02-08T12:47:00.000-05:002009-02-08T12:47:00.000-05:00White Ghost,You don't understand.I have many CI, o...White Ghost,<BR/><BR/>You don't understand.<BR/><BR/>I have many CI, oral friends and they are not audist.<BR/><BR/>It is the attitudes like the mother and daughter above, thinking that ASL is not necessary. <BR/><BR/>I have nothing against if the Deaf child wants CI or Hearing aids or speech.<BR/><BR/>The audist have an attitude that disgusts me and they are biased just like the mother above. We are not biased and we have experienced both reality, oral speech and ASL. These audist have no idea about ASL except their own negative bias thoughts of ASL.<BR/><BR/>Are you comprehendible?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-47499623456385768082009-02-08T12:46:00.000-05:002009-02-08T12:46:00.000-05:00Melissa,Choices in Deafness was the first book I e...Melissa,<BR/>Choices in Deafness was the first book I ever found and was my CI Circle for ten years. Might kind of give you an idea as to the lack of support. I gave it to my CI equipe trying to encourage them to create their own Italian version. <BR/>I've been consulting babyhearing to develop resources, very good site.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11437710259566671762noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-73080283911674727722009-02-08T12:44:00.000-05:002009-02-08T12:44:00.000-05:00It's rather unfortunate that there are many method...It's rather unfortunate that there are many methods to use for a deaf child. If there was one method to use, then we wouldn't be having this kind of conversation, parents would not be so guilt-ridden and deaf people wouldn't be so angry if a wrong method is chosen for them. I often wonder about other disabled children, if parents are often torn about which method to use for their disabled children? <BR/><BR/>I know with the sensory processing disorder children, they are often recommended to go occupational therapist, go on specialized diet and receive specialized accomodations for the classroom to function better. There is no division among parents in choosing which method because it is straightforward and easy to follow. With deaf children, the methods range from using ASL to AVT therapy which is extremely opposite on the line. <BR/><BR/>And then parents forget that deaf people can and do get isolated at times which is the worst thing a human being can ever experience in their life. A deaf person could be surrounded by hearing friends but it is never a complete feeling to have. It is a lot more work involved and you are missing out little details that can go on. Like for example if a deaf person is at a swimming pool with hearing people, they can easily miss out small details. Hearing people don't always tell us everything. So it is very very very important for hearing people to be conscious that it can happen to their deaf child and make sure that they have some deaf friends to hang around and not to reject them if they decide to learn ASL or go in the deaf world as a lot of hearing parents get really upset if they have spent hours and money in educating their deaf child in oralism or AVT and then all of sudden the deeaf child wants to learn ASL and go to deaf school. As someone said above, the parents should follow their child's lead. And promise that they wont get upset at all. I have had some friends whose parents were very upset and wouldn't have anything to do with them once they learned ASL and refused to acknowledge their happiness. So parents need to keep that in mind and that informaiton should also be in the clearinghouse.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-18206558843672018042009-02-08T12:25:00.000-05:002009-02-08T12:25:00.000-05:00Shirley --I must admit that I am no longer a fan o...Shirley --<BR/><BR/>I must admit that I am no longer a fan of yours.<BR/><BR/>You continue telling Deafchip and others it is okay for calling other people an audist.<BR/><BR/>Bad tasteful. Bad education.<BR/><BR/>I want to point out is that millions of people have not seen any CIs, hearing aids and many more before. It does not matter if they are oral, ASL, Total communication, SimCom and many more.<BR/><BR/>How would you feel if someone calls you a sightist, Shirley?<BR/><BR/>I'm finished with you, Shirley.<BR/><BR/>White GhostAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-19462929573597065742009-02-08T11:56:00.000-05:002009-02-08T11:56:00.000-05:00DeafChip,Candy asking you to reconsider throwing l...DeafChip,<BR/><BR/>Candy asking you to reconsider throwing labels at people such as "Audist."<BR/><BR/>Back in 1960's, Black culture people threw a lot of labels at people that were racist, "Racist".<BR/><BR/>And look what happened, The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed in Congress and the ramification was the Obama became educated. <BR/><BR/>Deaf children in schools need to be educated but the "Audist" continues to misinform many parents that ASL deprives the ability to learn English language.<BR/><BR/>Chip, now I am asking you to continue throw labels at the audist people, "Audist" and they deserve it.<BR/><BR/>I strongly believe that you want Deaf babies to be educated in their minds first with a visual language which is more important so that they can learn speech, schools or whatever in a intelligent method.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-69451890318689489742009-02-08T11:49:00.000-05:002009-02-08T11:49:00.000-05:00Melissa said " I haven't heard one person...Melissa said " I haven't heard one person who is a proponent of babies using ASL say that it is okay for them not to." <BR/><BR/>I wanted to fix that impression, it's really the opposite of what I intended to get across, and I think the same is true of many others. It's OK not to use ASL!<BR/><BR/>I'm all for ASL + spoken English -- for my little CIborg. But you are right: that's absolutely not the right mix of options for every child. I think AVT-only is a perfectly valid (and well-proven) option. I think that unaided ASL-only is also a perfectly valid (and equally well-proven) option. And so are so many other choices (PSE, Cueing etc.) and the many combinations of these with or without aids that work beautifully for individuals. <BR/><BR/>In fact, the choice we've made for our child to learn to listen with bilateral CIs (including lots of formal aural rehab) and to sign (attending school at a signing school for the deaf) is probably the least documented/studied option. But that was a decision for us to make, knowing our child's capabilities, our access to an immersive ASL environment (which again, is very difficult for the average hearing family and is NOT fully accessible to all deaf children and their families). <BR/><BR/>And I am so grateful that my state (MA), our early intervention services, and our hospital's Deaf & HOH program are currently aware and supportive of such a wide range of approaches. We found no bias or pressure, and so much information available. <BR/>Thanks to the pioneering efforts of those like Melissa to ensure that AVT is presented as an option along with ASL for CI kids, we learned of a full range of CI-related learning models. And thanks to the efforts of those whose children are happy and successful without using aids such as HAs or CIs, we were informed of ASL-only options and knew that a CI was just one option, and not the only direction. No one told us what to do. And while that's an awesomely sobering situation to be in, it's a a very good thing.<BR/><BR/>So, we "own" our decisions and won't ever feel that we were backed into something, or made life-altering decisions without being fully informed or to fit someone else's idea of what works. Jodi's communication plan could make every parent feel as we do: that we take full responsibility and are doing what's best for Li-Li (and it's a really good feeling, one I highly recommend).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-66426296225356282092009-02-08T11:25:00.000-05:002009-02-08T11:25:00.000-05:00Someone once said to me, all information is biased...Someone once said to me, all information is biased. Subtle, maybe. I totally advocate for parents to be given ALL information. Many of the materials online may seem to be unbiased, but if you read closely, there are some bias. The boystown site is awesome, I agree. Here's another one: <BR/><BR/>http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/staticresources/health/healthyhearing/tools/pdf/CommOptionsChild.pdf<BR/><BR/><BR/>Deaf Chip, Please re-consider throwing labels at people such as "Audist." because it is not constructive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-4921185023897051102009-02-08T10:55:00.000-05:002009-02-08T10:55:00.000-05:00This website, Baby Hearing, is another fantastic u...This website, Baby Hearing, is another fantastic unbiased resource that exists - http://www.babyhearing.org/index.asp<BR/><BR/>It was created by a hospital, Boys Town National Research Hospital.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-854575870070704513.post-56609796406403603862009-02-08T10:15:00.000-05:002009-02-08T10:15:00.000-05:00Jodi,There is already a wonderful, completely unbi...Jodi,<BR/>There is already a wonderful, completely unbiased resource for parents. It's called "Choices in Deafness" by Sue Schwartz. Check it out on Amazon. To me, a grant that allowed hospitals to give a free copy of this book to all parents would be the way to go. It's updated every few years, with the latest version from June 2007.MKChaikofhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01986056012049882257noreply@blogger.com