However, I can understand why the deaf couple in question would want to have their children to be deaf. In a world where deaf people are routinely discriminated against and where we are treated as second class citizens, I really cannot blame them for wanting to have a deaf child they feel they could "connect" with.
If our society was a bit more open-minded and treated deafness as a "culutral difference" rather than the stringent medical terminology that we are disabled, then things would be different and the deaf couple may feel more comfortable in having a "normal" hearing child.
Pro-Life/Moral Absolutes/?!?!?!?! ping.
I wish we all had to learn basic sign language. I use my hands a lot when I talk, but they never say anything. I am also not surprised by any of this. Without a basic respect for human life, no one, no one, is safe. We are without value.
You get deafness removed from the list of afflictions that Social Security pays disability for, get it removed from any protections the Americans with Disabilities Act provides, or any other tax-supported government intervention -- then we can talk. Until then it is not just "a cultural difference", it is a disability.
Thank you so much for giving me an “up close and personal” perspective on this issue. The points that you make are valid ones and I realize that as a hearing person I am only seeing the situation through my own life experiences. You have given me something to really think about and I appreciate it.