channel 10’s The Project interview with Taralye’s Ambassador Sarah Murdoch
What great PR for Taralye to have this aired on Channel 10. Sarah Murdoch as Ambassador to Melbourne’s Oral School for the Deaf, Taralye, visits the centre and talks to families about how the Cochlear Implant has changed their families lives.
It was a strong reminder that services such as Taralye are vital to families with Hearing Impaired kids. Watching Chantelle , the mum interviewed, revisit the moment when she found out her first child was deaf rang true as one that never leaves you. We have come a long way already with Harry in the last 18 months and nearly 2 1/2 years since that day . It has not all been the perfect scenario but he is moving ahead at his own pace bringing sound to his world.
You might notice there are a number of comments on the Channel 10 website under this segment from members of the Deaf community who felt Sarah Murdoch did not choose her words well… she referred to the children at Taralye as becoming normal rather than being deaf..we all know what she meant .. the gift of sound is not accessible or chosen by all deaf people/families, but for those whose lives the Cochlear Implant touches , it is without doubt the most incredible invention and a precious gift.
If you live in Melbourne please support Taralye this weekend by coming along to their Market Day fundraising event
For more details check out their website
Taralye
Harry's Ears 
I completely agree and tried to comment to that effect on their website but it wouldn’t work. The fact is being deaf is not ‘the norm’ but that doesn’t mean it’s a terrible thing… It’s just different. I think Sarah Murdoch was beautiful and came across genuinely passionate about Taralye. When a family friend of ours met our little boy (profoundly) deaf at 5 months old she said ‘there’s something special about kids with extra needs, isn’ there? Their personalities are always beautiful, like old souls.’
I completely agree and I think ppl need to try and be less sensitive about the wording used around the issue of hearing impairment.
Thank you for your comments Sally . I think it is a tricky subject as it is very emotive for a lot of people. But at the end of the day we all make individual choices that are best for our families and that has to be respected. We are very lucky as parents of Hearing Impaired or Deaf children that there has been scientific and technological advances that give our kids a choice in life. We are teaching our son Auslan alongside his auditory and verbal teaching, hopefully showing him the importance of Auslan as a language for the Deaf community.