Deafness is defined as a degree of impairment such that a person
is unable to understand speech even in the presence of amplification. However,
should being deaf be considered an impairment, or even a disability? What is the difference between the two? A disabled
person is one with an impairment who experiences disability. Disability is the
result of negative interactions that take place between a person with an
impairment and his or her social environment. Impairment is therefore part of a
negative interaction, but it is not the cause of, nor does it justify,
disability. (1)
A mutation is a permanent change in the DNA of a gene. Most
mutations are silent (cause no real change) or neutral (cause a change that
does not make any real difference). Of those that do make a difference, most
are harmful (at least in the organism’s current circumstances), but a small percentage
simply cause an alteration in function, or may even provide an advantage. (2)
Also, whether a mutation is harmful or not is sometimes situational – a change
which is harmful in some situations may actually be beneficial in others. (2)
Depending on the altercation of the genetic code, it would be
considered a blessing or a curse. For example, if the genetic code was mutated and
there are no obvious changes in the phenotype, this mutation could aid the
organism. It is possible that the abnormal protein functions more efficiently
than the normal protein, it may be beneficial to the organism.
I disagree with the fact that anyone, even if they are disabled or
not, should have the right to abort their child. Abortion should not be allowed
where the baby, if born, would suffer from physical or mental handicaps.
Allowing this as a reason for abortion is offensive to disabled people because it
implies that they, and their lives, are less worthwhile than the lives of “normal”
people. Therefore, disabled people should not have the right to abort their
child either if they are born “normal”.
Cochlear implants function differently from heading aids. A
cochlear implant uses electrical signals to stimulate the auditory nerve. (3)
This allows sound to skip around damaged hair cells in the cochlea and go
directly to the brain. (3) The user has a speech processor that collects sound
and converts it into electrical signals. The processor then sends those signals
to the coil on the user’s head (held in place by a magnet under the skin). The
coil in turn transmits the electrical signals to the cochlear implant
electrodes inside the cochlea. The electrodes stimulate the auditory nerve, and
the auditory nerve sends the signals to the person’s brain to be interpreted
into sound. (3)
In my opinion, Heather should get the opportunity to get the
cochlear implant. She is still at a young age where learning to speak properly
is possible. Even though her parents never got the opportunity to interact with
the hearing, they should allow Heather to experience what it is like to hear.
Heather will still be able to communicate with her parents through sign language.
Just like any type of surgery, there will be risks and the costs will be
expensive. However, this will allow for Heather to be involved with school and other
extra-curricular activities that will eventually shape her personality and change
her life in a positive way.
References
- About mutation. (2004, September 25). Retrieved from http://www.cod.edu/people/faculty/fancher/Mutation.htm
- Chadwick, A. (n.d.). Defining impairment and disability. Retrieved from http://www.leeds.ac.uk/disability-studies/archiveuk/Northern%20Officers%20Group/defining%20impairment%20and%20disability.pdf
- Berke, J. (2011. June 22). What is a cochlear implant. Retrieved from http://deafness.about/com/cs/cochlearfeatures/a/cochlearimplant.htm