I hoped our baby would be deaf

[Sofie]

I found this article in the online edition of the Guardian and wanted to post a link here.
'I hoped our baby would be deaf' (http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,329438869-103680,00.html)

[Curtis]

Hi Sofie,

That was a very thought provoking article. I had mixed feelings as I was reading the article and then afterwards I kept thinking about it and I can understand what the mother was actually wanting. I think most parents what their children to share their culture and their language. This was very important to me when I raised our granddaughter. I insisted that we speak French at home. It was very difficult though as she grew up and she would refuse to answer in French, only English. This was very dissappointing to me.

What made me have mixed feelings is that I have a good friend who was raised by two deaf parents and she learned sign language first and she is at home in both communities. So, I kept asking why this might not have been a possibility in this case. I would not have wanted the child I raised to not speak English. I would have seen that as a very big problem and I am not aware of all the problems that deaf people face. However, this women seems to feel that her deafness is part of her very culture and identity and therefore must not think it is really that big of a problem. I admire her sense of self and her pride in who she is.

Mange tak. Meget interessant.
Curtis

[mohnblume]

I insisted that we speak French at home. It was very difficult though as she grew up and she would refuse to answer in French, only English. This was very dissappointing to me.

I know it is hart in this country to bring your kids closer to a second language. Easier in Europe, where it takes one or more hours to be in another language area. However, my dearest sent her her children to the German school, near Washington, where they had to pass all exams in German. Probably the only way to get them familiar with a second language.

Having a deaf child ... then you know the problems you are going to face. Having an intersexual child ... you don't know where to go. There are no special schools, no special care or advisory ... Yes, it is, but most people don't know about it. So where do you seek help? Go on the street and ask people. Almost nobody has ever heard about our kind.

More information is needed!