My perspective on Jewish life, chinuch/parenting, psychology, social issues, health ...
Dec 20, 2013
Deaf Pride?
There is a movement among the deaf called "Deaf Pride." They do not view their handicap as such. They consider it a difference, not a disability, hence not something that needs to be fixed.
Those in the "deaf culture" are vehemently against cochlear implants in children, which they call invasive surgery in defenseless children, because (aside from health concerns), by enabling children to hear, parents are making a major decision for their children. As one deaf person put it, "I think it is wrong for a hearing parent to deny a deaf child their cultural identity and force them to be hearing."
This view is perturbing. What is the Torah understanding of this issue?
I wonder what the halacha would be about a deaf person who was able to hear thanks to modern technology - aren't there halachos that don't apply to a deaf person?
ReplyDelete