Aidan Mack has pissed me off. She's said things that I completely disagree with, and she most certainly is anti-cochlear implant. Aidan Mack has just launched her new project "I Sign and I Live," and this is the synopsis:
Synopsis
The 25-minute dramatic film, I Sign and I Live, is about Daisy, an impassioned Deaf teacher who constantly faces prejudices and stereotypes in society at large. Unexpectedly from within her own family, she faces a battle of wills with her sister over her niece, Dawn. In a family tragedy, her hearing sister, KAY makes the decision to have her Deaf daughter get a cochlear implant. Daisy is appalled by this. She has always believed that her sister, an average housewife with no degree, accepted her as a Deaf person and respected her superior intelligence and professional accomplishments. Her sister demands that her daughter be made to hear because Kay has always had an inner prejudice against the Deaf.
The niece is removed from her signing classroom and placed in a class where the teachers speak and require children to speak and hear. This tears Daisy and her niece apart because Kay insists her daughter speak and she will not permit her to sign, therefore, Dawn can’t interact with Daisy at all. The battle between Daisy and her sister causes an impasse that leads to a tragic conclusion. Kay, along with the larger society, wins the standoff while Deaf people like Daisy continue to sign and live.
*Interesting*
I have no doubt the final product will be intense, because every vlog Aidan creates (once again, I rarely agree with her) is soulful and profound. Her words stimulate discussion because they are oftentimes extremely passionate, assertive and reflective of her views and experiences as a Deaf individual. Many times she has spoken on behalf of the Deaf Community (and even if that may not have been her intention, many commentors perceive this based on their cheers).
Within the email she sent out (I've made her mailing list:)), she wrote:
Please take a few minutes to look at the new post here. I Sign and I Live, the film, is now in production. Deaf and Hearing Actors and Deaf and Hearing crew members are now being sought to join in and help bring this visual story, I Sign and I Live, alive with moving images. Equally important is the "role" of financial support, since a good financial support system works like a "heart" which enables the "body" of film production to function.
Aidan is requesting funding to help finance her film. If I sent out a plea to help Abbie reach her goal to attend a conference, I will definitely blog a plea to raise funds for a film project that will promote awareness on all fronts regarding approaches and lifestyles in Deafness. Donate HERE. Support an extremely talented Deaf Filmmaker (Who drives a Harley, btw.).
I look forward to seeing the finished product and taking part in any ensuing controversy.
Good Luck, Aidan!
