My daughter is not broken

Ever since we found out that Shea is Deaf, we have been dealing with professionals, experts, friends and family alike who have the opinion that Deafness is a disease that needs to be cured.  Everyone from grandparents to Doctors inquired about our intentions of getting Shea a Cochlear Implant (CI).  Naturally.  Something between Shea's ears and brain was broken, so let's fix it....right?  We couldn't agree LESS, actually.  Our beautiful daughter is happy, healthy and can communicate her wants and needs to us very clearly using ASL.  We see no reason to put her through the major surgery that would be required for a CI.  We researched, discussed, worried, obsessed, and came to the decision that we would not make that choice for her.  She wasn't even 1 yet when people were telling us we should find out if she was a candidate and have her head cut open so that she might be able to hear.  That's right, there is no guarantee that it would be successful.  And even if it is successful, Shea would still never hear the same way "normal hearing" people hear.  No, I'm sorry, I will not subject my child to that trauma just so that she might be able to hear the nonsense that people spew on a daily basis, or so that she might be able to speak.  Would I love to hear my daughter verbally say "Mommy, I love you"??...Of course I would!  Will I sacrifice her happiness and peace of mind to do it??  Absolutely not!  It is not more important for her to speak than it is for her to read and write English properly.  Hearing is not a prerequisite to that.
What many people forget to consider is the child's sense of identity.  Many CI recipients suffer from a poor self image.  Not only because of the implant itself being noticeable, but because they are not really hearing, and at the same time they are not really Deaf.  Our daughter is a very self-confident little girl who loves to play, run, be the center of attention, and dance...yes, she loves to dance!  We're not going to risk her sense of self worth so that we don't have to bother learning ASL.
Now it should be noted that we are fully aware that, no matter what choice we made, there will be individuals who disagree with us....strongly.  That's fine.  You have a right to your opinion, and you have a right to do what's best for your family.  We have chosen to do what we feel is best for our family.  We are learning ASL together, as a family.  We are sharing our new found knowledge with anyone who is willing to learn.  We have immersed ourselves in the Deaf Community and have come to know many new friends in doing so.
At the same time, once Shea is old enough to fully understand what is involved with the surgery and aftercare of getting a CI, if she wants to do it, we will support her 100%.  Our main goal is to raise a happy, healthy, confident and productive member of society.....whatever it takes.
In the meantime, we will continue our education in ASL, try to find the best schools for her, take her everywhere we go, immerse her in Deaf Culture, teach her to read & write English, give her new experiences, take her to new places and love her as she is.....beautiful, perfect, happy, loving and self-confident.

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