“If you had to, which one of these two senses would you give up and live without? Seeing or hearing?”
My response was immediate: “Hearing.”
“Why?”
Because my whole world revolves around sight. I need my eyes to read my books. I need my eyes to take photographs. I need my eyes to paint my ceramic pieces. I need my eyes to watch my garden grow. I need my eyes to see birds and butterflies and bees and dragonflies flutter by. I need my eyes to soak in the beauty of nature. To see the ocean. Mountains. Spring’s first blosoms. A rainbow. Baby animals. A sunrise. Smiles. A friendly look.
You get the idea...
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| I am so grateful for the ability to see. |
Then I ran across the video below that exploded in popularity across the internet. It’s about a little boy named Cooper who had been born deaf and received a cochlear implant to allow him to hear. In this short clip he is hearing for the first time, and his overjoyed reaction to it really touches your heart. It is a reminder that each and every sense plays such an important role in our lives. And that we easily take it for granted when they all work just fine. So be thankful if they all do.
Incidentally, a cochlear implant (CI) “is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing. Cochlear implants are often referred to as a bionic ear.” (Info from Wikipedia)
oh wow, how amazing! that a tough question ... sight or hearing? both matter so much to me. I do love my art and jewelry making, but I also studied music most of my youth. I don't think I could do without my music either. What a wonderful thing for this little boy
ReplyDeleteIt is a tough choice, but my eyesight is linked to so many passions in my life that I can't imagine being without it. We should thank our lucky stars when every sense works fine.
DeleteIt is hard to decide...sight or hearing. I could still make music by reading my notes and playing but I wouldn't hear it. :( I love seeing nature though, too, although you would be surprised at what you can hear in nature. My son collected money instead of presents at his 5th birthday party and then donated it to a fund for a local boy to receive a cochlear ear implant. A year later, he met the young child. It was an emotional experience for all of us.
ReplyDeleteWhat an inspiring story, Cathy. Such a wonderful thing for your son to do. I can only imagine how emotional it was to meet the young boy who received the cochlear ear implant.
DeleteI love music but I'd give it up if it meant I could still see. So I'm with you, Martha!
ReplyDeleteP.S. love the "searching for money" gag on your sidebar!
I love that one, too. I imagine a silly image of me searching with a thief.
DeleteI've thought about the question your daughter asked, too, Martha, and like you, I would definitely give up hearing. I would miss music and birdsong and the wind in the trees and the voices of those I love, but I think I could remember those sounds better than I could remember what something looked like. Plus, I actually value quiet so much that I'd probably sometimes enjoy the silence. :-)
ReplyDeleteWell, we're certainly on the same page on this, Beth. I do love the sounds of nature, music, and so much more that the sense of hearing allows us, but being able to see is too vital for every passion I enjoy.
DeleteI agree with you Martha, I would miss music and the pleasant sounds,but I would choose my sight. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI'd miss those pleasant sounds, too, but I can't imagine not being able to see.
DeleteBut deaf people are much more isolated than sighted people. Ask any teacher of the deaf and the blind and most will probably tell you how much worse it is to be deaf. That is why there is a deaf culture. they are so removed from society.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that, Francie. That's very interesting. But my sense of sight is too connected to everything I enjoy. I'd have to give all that up and that would be devastating.
DeleteIf I am forced between the two...well, I would fight with all my might to keep both! :-) (Teachers hated me, Martha, I promise you!)
ReplyDeleteLove the video, thank you.
Hahaha...that's funny, Kay! And a great answer :)
DeleteFunny thing I was thinking about this the other day! I am with you on this one Martha, I would want to keep my eyesight....as much as I love some sounds around me.
ReplyDeleteWe're on the same page with this one, that's for sure. It makes sense since we both love taking photos.
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