The interview with an interpreter about CI

I had an interview with Tom, an interpreter that is working with ADA, about Cochlear Implants. I feel that this interview appeared in Deafread is so important to be shared.


Tom:
If I happen to have a deaf baby, I wouldn’t have him/her implanted because I know a lot about Deaf community, Cultures, and Sign Language, I’d be so proud to use ASL to expose and communicate with my deaf child. I know what deaf children need from the beginning. I understand about hearing parents who try their best to make a good decision for their deaf child about Cochlear implants. I don’t blame them, but it’s not for me. I would be proud of my deaf child if I happen to have one.

If my deaf child wanted to have a cochlear implant when he or she was around 12, I’d rather have him/her to wait until he/she’s 18. I believe that teens make decisions by their emotions and/or being in the peer pressures by society. I don’t want them to feel they will make a mistake by making a decision too early, the same way I had that experience when I asked my mom about tattoos. She told me to wait until I was 18. She knows that I was trying to make a decision just to fit in. When I became 18, I decided not to get a tattoo, and I feel good about it.

If they still want to have the same decision at later age, they’d have a cochlear implant or both cochlear implants. I’ll be always on their side no matter what.