Saturday, December 1, 2007

Acupuncture for me as a young Deaf girl in the early 70's.

What an unhappy experience. My parents took me to see the Chinese doctor for acupuncture in the dry cold Fall/Winter of the early 70's--- Every Thursday for a few months. I had no fun going there. We went there by the train to meet my father at the office. I had to pretend I become hearing to stay away from the prickly needles! The last day of my acupuncture appointment -- I was thrilled to hear the news we longer go there for some reasons. I am not sure exactly why. A few years ago, As I was walking by - I finally saw and remembered the white lion statues sitting on front of the white building. It is located near Harvard University! The Acupuncture office is no longer there. Today It is very popular compare to the early 70's, I think.


4 comments:

Barb DiGi said...

Sorry that you had to go through this unnecessary painful experience. Yikes, I would freak out having needles poked in my skin if I were a kid. I don't know how you took it but you must be very brave and patient.

I can see that your parents are trying everything in their power to make you hear and that doesn't mean they are horrible but caring to give you the gift as they thought.

Kim said...

Oh Gosh! This is so sad! Your parents must have been desperate.

I have never had acupuncture, but I have heard if its done right the needles are not supposed to hurt. Makes me wonder if the acupuncturist acutally knew what he was doing of if was a hooligan. It requires many years of training, and it not known to cure deafness. Anyone who would promise such a thing to your parents sounds dishonest.

I'm so sorry you went through this.

Dianrez said...

It is common for parents to go from doctor to doctor, faith healer to faith healer, etc. to try to cure their child's deafness. Such desperate parents are today going for CI implants today, and I have no doubt that if it were available in the 50's I would have been one of the first to be implanted.

Yes, I remember being a very small and very, very frightened child at these doctors' offices. They stuck tubes up my nose, attached electrodes to my skin and shocked me every few minutes. They squirted ice water in my ears and took many X-rays, making me vomit often and painfully. Today I can forgive my parents, but such memories remain part of my psychology.

The approach to parents today should be one of counseling acceptance and appreciation of the deaf child first and warning them about doctors who are too eager to "fix" problems when there actually are none.

Deaf Pixie said...

I agree with Dianerzm

Sorry that they are keep you go to be there every Thursday and it is hard to medical.

I have heard of that one of guy who go with me at school he have been go through similiar as your situation.

Umm, Acupuncture is kind of waste money for deaf person to spend that much money. I know your parent disappointed that it is not working well. Often the parent's high expecation over their deaf child(s)

Today,CI implant issues that it is made me uncomfortable issues for long time