Hey All!

 

There are disability fetishes, actually, and those with such fetishes go to extreme lengths to, first, approximate the disability and then, in some extreme cases, create the disability.  I have seen stories on television about people amputating body parts, but have not heard of people doing things to intentionally lose their hearing.  It would take a lot of years of abuse (via noise) or they would have to take ototoxic drugs -- which could threaten their lives.  I don't know much more beyond that.  However, I would argue that this "phenomenon" should not be considered a fetish because, to me, it would seem to be closer to mental illness. 

 

As for the two ladies in DC that chose a man of long deaf lineage as the sperm donor for their child...  that really blew up a few years back.  I remember participating in some online discussions about it on a few different message boards.  I have known Deaf couples who have celebrated having Deaf children and I have known deaf couples who have mourned it.  One person that I am thinking of was extremely disheartened when their baby turned out to be deaf -- because they had gone to genetic counseling and had been assured that neither of them would pass it along.  Another that I know sent out birth announcements when the baby was born and Deaf announcements when they found out that the baby was Deaf.  Very big contrast.

 

Glad to see a little life in this group again.  I missed it.

 

BTW... there are two or three newbies in the old iVillage homestead.  Thought that you might like to know.

 

Have joy!

Dawn