Cochlear Implants

I've seen this video several times before, both alone and watching with other people. My initial and current reaction remains the same every time I watch the footage: here is a person being given an opportunity that he earlier did not have. Though this child obviously did not decide for himself to receive the cochlear implant, it is clear that he is immediately affected in a positive manner — note the way he turns toward his mother and smiles, almost instantaneously. Yes, Jonathan will presumably never be a part of the deaf community. Perhaps he will never learn sign language or attend a school for children who have hearing impairments. He will, however, have a different community and different opportunities. I find myself thinking about what I would do as a parent if I were in this situation: wouldn't I want to give my child every chance possible to succeed in life and lead a happy, personally rewarding existence? I view the decision of Jonathan's parents as such a choice.

For those interested in cochlear implants, there are a whole host of videos depicting the device's activation that may be found here. I'm also linking a page about Children and Hearing Loss from The Lake Drive Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports children with hearing loss and impairements in northern and central New Jersey.