NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #26/NN_1992_26.iso/spool/bit/listserv/deafl/2190

Text File | 1992-11-09 | 1.7 KB | 34 lines

Comments: Gated by [e-mail]
Path: sparky!uunet!stanford.edu!unixhub!fnnews.fnal.gov!overload.lbl.gov!zeus.ieee.org!europa.asd.contel.com!paladin.american.edu!auvm!COR4.PICA.ARMY.MIL!RIOLO
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Newsgroups: bit.listserv.deaf-l
Date:         Mon, 9 Nov 1992 16:21:11 EST
Sender:       DEAF LIST <[e-mail]>
From:         "Joseph P. Riolo" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: deaf wish
Lines: 23

Lew,

>     But to wish for a child to be born deaf is something else.
>     No matter how you rationalize it, you are saying that your feelings
>and your language are more important than the best interests of your future
>children -- who, if they are born deaf (as you desire), will face a
>lifetime of struggle, frustration, deprivation, discrimination, isolation,
>underachievement and other disadvantages which they would not encounter if
>they were born hearing.
>     Life is tough enough without the added burden of deafness.
>     I wouldn't wish that on anyone -- least of all my own children.

      It is fine with me that you want to think that way.  You cherish what
you believe in.  I just feel a little sad that you continue to think that way.
It is just sad - very sad - that you continue to think that deafness is one
of the causes of these problems and that deafness is an added burden to a
person who has it, family, and society.  But, again, you have the right
to think the way you want to think.  You have the right to set up your
system of values to guide your thoughts and life.  I do likewise.  So...
live and let live.

                                        Joseph P. Riolo
                                        <[e-mail]>