Have you seen this news story?
Emma is 8 years old, and her parents are not married. Emma is deaf, as is her father, but Emma also has cochlear implants. Emma's mother has taken Emma's father to court, hoping that the court will force the dad to make Emma use her implants when she visits him. Currently, both Emma and her father communicate via sign language.
Emma's mom, in court documents "has stressed the importance of wearing the devices at all times for continued progress with her hearing and speech."
Emma's father said, "I’m willing to have her do whatever makes her comfortable. I want to give my daughter her own choices in life."
Emma, when she is with her father, says she wants to "be deaf like daddy."
How would you handle this situation? I don't believe there is a right or wrong answer, but I wonder what the court will ultimately decide. I know that for me and my deaf children, being deaf is not a disability.
I am not a proponent of cochlear implants for my children, but I do not judge parents who make that choice for their children. When I feel my children can make their own decisions about cochlear implants, I will do whatever I can to support those decisions.
What are your thoughts?
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