benvess.

Theresa Bulger only wanted to help.

Perhaps her ideas and philosophies are misguided in some’s perspectives and may be considered glorious in others. Let’s see it for what it is: Theresa Bulger has a big heart and only wanted to improve things.

How can we keep treating those who wants to help with such contempt and bombard them with so many insults? How dare we expect them to listen to us when we refuse to see that their intention is to help.

I don’t agree with the fact that cochlear implants should be mandatory. I do acknowledge that, yes, just maybe if Tara could hear, she would have lived.

Maybe.

That is a valid perspective–undeserving of insults and blatant oppression from the Deaf community. Open your eyes, my friends, and learn new things! I believe in order to accomplish more for our Deaf children, we must first say:

“Thank you for you heart-felt efforts to help.”

It is then we can, with appropriateness–snideness, insults, and contempt aside–suggest your perspective. Expand her understanding on how to help with your information as additional resources to what she already has. Diplomacy, my friends is the way to go.

I’ve had this discussion with a few others and I strongly agree with them–what Theresa Bulger presented were truths; but, not complete. Whatever happened to suggesting to Theresa if she was aware of the statistics of hearing people with these accidents? What happened to asking her if we could work together and find the true cause of most of these accidents?

The $800,000 figure is not false. Again, this information is incomplete. What wasn’t mentioned is the fact that many Deaf children go to residential schools–which would significantly cost more than a day-program type of schools, also, in a mainstreamed day-school program for an ASL-user would require an additional person on the payroll, an ASL interpreter. These things play in deciding that number.

Critics aren’t as honest when they say, “ASL is free!” or “ASL is cheaper…” We are all aware that the learning of the language itself is free, or quite rather cheap. Do we not ask for an interpreter when we need one? Do we not ask for closed-captioning so e can better understand our entertainment?

Are you aware that these rights are not free–somebody paid for them. And for many of us, myself included, this is a lifelong thing. We’re going to keep asking for them until the day we die. Well, somebody did the math and told us how much we cost.

It doesn’t matter if we like it or not.

Now, for my final words, it’s the holidays, let’s show a little bit of compassion. Supplement her incomplete information with more information instead of demeaning her, hurling insults at her, belittling her…only for trying to help?

Theresa Bulger, please do know that there are some of us in the Deaf community who appreciates your efforts and hard work. I’m sure many of us would be more than glad to help you find more information, resources, and bring in different perspectives so you can serve and aid the Deaf the best you can and hopefully together, too. In spite of the fact we may disagree on certain issues, we need all the support we can get.

Happy Holidays, everyone. Do stay sweet.

*update* a commenter asked to link to the blog I’m referring to, here it is: http://blog.deafread.com/agbellxinfo/2008/12/21/deaf-girl-killed-by-train-in-texas/. I hope this helps in clearing my post.

In addition, please do read DianRez’s comment: that is an exemplary model for constructive criticism without belittling and degrading. The truth be told, I agree with her arguments and will defend it. She is right and how she presented it is beyond amazing.

Just so everyone knows,

I’ve put certain keywords that will automatically put a comment into moderation to prevent further twisting of the true meaning of them.

If you happen to use them in appropriate way, they will be approved in due time; however, if used inappropriately, I will reserve the right not to publish them.

Thank you.

-Ben