Tuesday, May 20, 2008

I am back from my hiatus due to the move and being busy with the work and life. Many things have happened lately. One thing that made me think for while is that two of my friends informed me that they have HIV. Of course, I don't care if they have it or not. But one thing they said that they felt ashamed to tell their deaf friends because they are unsure if the friends will accept them. 

It got me thinking for quite while...

Even if here in Rochester, they are getting one of the best care in the nation but what about the support system? Why would those people fear of being rejected due to the disease that they have which is untreatable? Those is my main two questions that have been in my mind for while also many other questions. 

I in some way, do understand their fears because I had the same kind of fear when I decided to go and get implants. 

BUT, I realized that there is more important things that the deaf community should be concerned about than the issue of cochlear implant. Like better support systems for various needs also educate the people the difference between reality and myths. 

Right now, I am in process of being educated about whole issues related to HIV/AIDS since it's on the rise and affect BOTH homosexuals and heterosexuals. Mostly heterosexuals at this moment... 

4 comments:

Der Sankt said...

I agree with you about the support system the Deaf community needs to develop for their HIV-infected members...

As for your statement: "the disease that they have which is untreatable?" is not true. HIV/AIDS is treatable; however, it's not curable. Perhaps it is little misunderstandings like these that weights in the majority's consciousness when reacting to HIV.

But all in all, I agree with you about the Deaf community needing to focus on better issues than CI...

-Ben

J.Matheson said...

I mean incurable. Thanks for pointing out my mistake! :-)

Der Sankt said...

Pas de probleme!

:)

Ben

Abbie said...

I agree with you 100% Anyone, deaf or hearing, tend to be afraid of the unknown and shy away from it. I know what it is like to be told that someone is HIV positive. You read about it and you see it on TV but until you come face to face with someone that actually has it, it only becomes real then.

If deaf people would just stop focusing on being deaf all the time and focus on other issues, we might stand a chance.