Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman) (04/05/91)
Index Number: 14635
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Hi Jack,
JO> It was too absurd to post in
JO> the echo. I suppose there always will be those who elect to choose
JO> ignorance above knowledge - as some of the "Genetic Engineering"
JO> opponents and now the NAD appear to do. You and I, being deaf but
JO> not Deaf, may never fully understand everything about the Deaf
JO> community.
I didn't see the NAD paper and have to confess am not really 'up'
on the details of actually how the cochlear implant or the genetic
engineering would work, but the objections or concerns that may be
raised might have to do with 1.) the risks and 2.) the manner of
'cure'. I know that current 'advancements' I have read about what
could prevent my daughter's disability is early detection and
abortion. That to me is no solution. I'd rather have her alive
and imperfect than not alive.
As far as deaf culture being wiped out with the potential of
erradicating deafness at birth (as opposed to deafness that occurs
later in life) I can really understand where they're coming from
(those who are objecting) emotionally, despite the logical
scientific arguments to the contrary. In the end even THEY would
probably agree it would have been better to not have been born
deaf (certainly easier) but the prospect of watching a whole way
of life go poof in a puff of smoke, you can just imagine how that
makes them feel!
Of course this doesn't excuse flaming attacks on the bearer of the
information, but I think alot of hurt and injury is seathing
underneath their words and again they were speaking from an
emotional frame of mind.
JO> ... Carpe Diem!
I know that many of our English words come from Latin and to carp
is to complain or blame...could this mean 'blame God'? I know He
does take the rap for alot of what we all do <grin> (or the
consequences thereof). <still grinning>
PS: Happy Easter...almost ready to say Merry Christmas, it was
snowing (and sticking) here just a little while ago. With what
we've done to our environment, I think we've messed up God a bit
too with it. :-)
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!272!94!Fran.O'gorman
Internet: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.orgJack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.org (Jack O'keeffe) (04/05/91)
Index Number: 14636
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Hi Fran,
FO> I didn't see the NAD paper and have to confess am not really
FO> 'up' on the details of actually how the cochlear implant or the
FO> genetic engineering would work, but the objections or concerns
FO> that may be raised might have to do with 1.) the risks and 2.)
FO> the manner of 'cure'.
Fran, the objections seemed to me to be founded primarily on concern
for the future of deaf culture, not on the welfare of deaf children.
I understand how someone might feel that way, but does that justify
suppression of research and denial of benefits to those who do not
share the same feelings? NO WAY! This is still a (relatively) free
society. And nobody is proposing compulsory cochlear implants or
mandated genetic screening. If they were, I'd be opposed to that
even more vigorously.
If you want to see the NAD paper, let me know and I'll send you a
copy. As I wrote to Jay, the paper impressed me as well written
but not well reasoned. And when they equated cochlear implants to
race-changing and gender-altering, that's when it impressed me as
absurd. Of course, NAD has a perfect right to advocate whatever
position they please, even if I thing they are being absurd. What
they do NOT have - thank goodness - is the right to force their
opinions on others.
FO> I know that current 'advancements' I have read about what could
FO> prevent my daughter's disability is early detection and abortion.
FO> That to me is no solution. I'd rather have her alive and
FO> imperfect than not alive.
I would certainly agree with you there, and bless you for feeling
the way you do. My own deafness in adventitious, so I cannot view
it from same perspective as persons in deaf culture. But after
living and coping with it for more years than you are old (ever
since WWII) I still don't like it. I'd prefer good hearing. And
if one of my five children were deaf, I know I would welome any
opportunity for them to hear.
I have friends who are culturally deaf, and I respect them. I do
not force my opinions on them, and they don't force theirs on me.
We even agree on most issues :-)
FO> Of course this doesn't excuse flaming attacks on the bearer of
FO> the information
You're correct there, and I'm pleased the moderators nipped it in
the bud. Such flames can have a stifling effect on the echo,
especially for newcomers.
JO>> ... Carpe Diem!
FO> I know that many of our English words come from Latin
I hate to dispel the classical scholarly image, Fran, but that
particular phrase came from Robin Williams in "The Dead Poets
Society". It translates to something like "sieze (or grasp)
the day". Diem = day (as in "per diem"). And I believe you'll
find derivatives of "carpe" in medical usage as "carpal" as in
"carpal tunnel syndrome" - also some bones in the hand.
<Tutorial Mode Off - End of lesson> :-)
FO> PS: Happy Easter...almost ready to say Merry Christmas, it
FO> was snowing (and sticking) here just a little while ago.
We had a white one yesterday, and cold too. The leaves on the
rhododendron were all rolled up like little green pencils. The
Easter Bunny was wearing a fur coat when he came past here :-)
... Time wounds all heels.
--
Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!129!26!Jack.O'keeffe
Internet: Jack.O'keeffe@f26.n129.z1.fidonet.orgFran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org (Fran O'gorman) (04/11/91)
Index Number: 14739
[This is from the Silent Talk Conference]
Hi Jack,
JO> If you want to see the NAD paper, let me know and I'll send you a
JO> copy.
Thanks Jack but from what you said I caught the drift and agree it
does appear to be reasoned from ONLY an emotional point of view
and while I can understand individuals reacting emotionally I
can't condone a national organization doing that. I agree with
your position and would feel the exact same way. If a cure for
anything is possible and safe one would be silly not to take
advantage of it.
JO>>> ... Carpe Diem!
FO>> I know that many of our English words come from Latin
JO> I hate to dispel the classical scholarly image, Fran, but that
JO> particular phrase came from Robin Williams in "The Dead Poets
JO> Society". It translates to something like "sieze (or grasp)
JO> the day". Diem = day (as in "per diem"). And I believe you'll
JO> find derivatives of "carpe" in medical usage as "carpal" as in
JO> "carpal tunnel syndrome" - also some bones in the hand.
JO> <Tutorial Mode Off - End of lesson> :-)
Thank you Professor Jack :-) You know I saw the movie on TV (and
loved it) but didn't get to see all of it--must've missed that.
We have an English teacher in our school who teaches creative
writing among other things and he's the epitome of Robin Williams
in that film!
FO>> PS: Happy Easter...almost ready to say Merry Christmas, it
FO>> was snowing (and sticking) here just a little while ago.
JO> We had a white one yesterday, and cold too. The leaves on the
JO> rhododendron were all rolled up like little green pencils. The
JO> Easter Bunny was wearing a fur coat when he came past here :-)
Well we could've almost put him on skis and rolled him down one of
these hills here. :-)
--Fran
--
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Internet: Fran.O'gorman@f94.n272.z1.fidonet.org