I have been thinking about qalam more lately because I have a hearing
impaired student who had great difficulty communicating. Over the last
year or two, both preceding and during our discussion in qalam about
these things, I pursued intense research and advacacy for her.
Incredibly she has become a vocal participant in the speaking world
and came to me a few days ago to say "I used to have a bad life, but
now I have a good life!"
I do not advocate any particular method of practice in these cases but
simply use research and interaction to find the best approach for the
individual case. I have recently been writng up the story of this
child, it is a very unusual case, and as I wrote I thought of you all.
I just want to say that the debate that we had here was not a
discourgaement to me, but pushed me to fight that little bit harder
for this child.
ALmost every day someone comes to me and says that she truly is "our
miracle child"
So let me say, that unpleasant as it may have seemed at the time, I am
totally committed to the open expression and exchange of academic
ideas in a forum such as this. It is extremely useful to me. We must
have the opportunity to dialogue.
If you wish to read the story of this child, email me. It is an
unusual and fascinating case.