The Albino Foundation Public Notice
I have written about a surgical procedure called cochlear implant. A cochlear implant, like I described, involves an insertion of a powerful electronic device into the ears that gives a deaf person a sense of hearing. But I thought that this surgical procedure was wrong and potentially fatal for deaf people. I have never wanted anything to happen to deaf people.
In this article, I look at the social implications of a cochlear implant on our identity as Deaf persons, including the side effects. In the end, as unacceptable as I find a cochlear implant, I let people have a chance to determine if they want a cochlear implant. People should be grown enough- presumably when they are 18 and above to be given the liberty to choose for themselves whether or not they would want a machine installed in their skull.
There are two major divides in the deaf community. In Nigeria and across the world, the deaf community is divided- between those who see deafness as an identity, as a culture, and those who see deafness as an unpleasant disability, a nagging condition that needs to be gotten rid of with amplification devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. One side is liberal- wanting the chance to use new ideas and innovations to hear. The other side is conservative- stressing the need for traditional values and acceptance that places a great emphasis on the use of sign language. Not either side is superior.
However, it is important to make certain things clear.
Before rehabilitation at all comes acceptance. Acceptance is a very strong word, not just in terms of disability, but also in the context of the experiences of life. At the onset of a disability or a traumatic experience, there is nothing more essential than coming to terms with the disability or trauma. It is important to learn to accept the incidence of a disability. Acceptance is hard, but it is the most beautiful thing.
Acceptance opens you to a whole new world of limitless possibilities. I have been there. I have lived it. Acceptance allows you to discover your true self, your hidden strengths, and capabilities. You won’t discover yourself when you are out looking for a quick solution to what’s happened to you. You must learn to let it do its work so that you may come out on the other side- whole and shining.
Below are FIVE ways cochlear implant is bad and dangerous for your physical and psychosocial well-being as deaf.
1. Cochlear Implant robs you of your identity as deaf: Deaf people should recognize the culture and embrace the sign language as the universal language for the deaf. Embracing the use of amplification devices not only robs you of identity, it makes you neither a member of the hearing world nor the deaf world. You lose.
2. Cochlear implant causes significant complications after installations in the ears: In surgery, nothing- no certainty of any surgical procedure. A facial damage is possible, there may be an experience of dizziness and imbalance for up to a few months after the procedure. And just, just anything might happen after the implantation. We know the story of a couple of deaf persons who developed complications after the surgery. They later passed on.
3. A cochlear implant is an insult to the deaf culture: I have said, if you are deaf, you will be deaf forever. Deafness isn’t something that needs a cure. Deafness is something that should be cherished. Attempting to change it with radical means is an insult and effrontery to the deaf culture. Be yourself for a moment and watch what happens.
4. Cochlear implant is disobedience to your creator: you not only disobey God when you attempt to change who you are, but you are also robbing yourself of the bountiful blessings that your creator has in store for you- if only you could just relax and stay where He needs you to stay to show you what He needs to show you.
5. A cochlear implant is costly: It is, particularly for folks in developing countries where a larger percentage of deaf people are stationed. Rather than spend tens of millions of naira on a machine that hangs on the sides of your ears, people can start a business and make the world better place.
At the advent of a disability, including deafness, looking at changing it through radical means s not the smart way to go about it. acceptance is very great. But in fact, should you want rehabilitation and remedy, the very initial undertaking is to learn to accept a disability. But you might actually begin to enjoy it. it becomes a part of you, and your life and the lives of those around you are transformed forever.
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