Dear readers,
While I am not new to reading the FML, I am new to posting.  Usually, when
I have something to say I E-mail people personally.  I usually only do this
to offer advice and some helpful hints.
 
I have been reading for a while about deaf ferrets.  Some of which I agreed
with and some I didn't.  I have 25 ferrets.  Some bought, some rescued,
and some adopted.  In this 25 I have 5 deaf ferrets.  The first one that
I bought I didn't realize was deaf.  The other four I bought because they
were deaf.  Yes, I bought them on purpose.  I did this because I know how
people and animals that are different from "everyone else" are treated.  I
wanted them to have a good home and be loved, cared for, and happy.  To me
they are not defective, they are beautiful because they are different.  I
grew up in a home (I'm still there) where my mother is very hard of
hearing.  Not only this but at an early age was stricken down with Multiple
Sclerosis.  She deteriorated to an almost vegetable state quickly.  The
point to this is, when we would go food shopping, people would say things.
They would say "Look at that women the pitiful drunk.  I feel sorry for
that little (I was 10) girl."  They would often make remarks and stare like
she was a freak.  To me she was my mother, not a freak.
 
This too is what I am seeing with the ferrets.  It is sad that they are
deaf, but I do not think it a defect.  A defect is a problem you have when
you buy a T.V. and it doesn't work right.  Ferrets work fine when they are
deaf.  They just work differently.  I had no problem training mine.  With
all ferrets, love, understanding, and patience is what you need to give.
It's the same with the deaf ferrets.  Anyone can learn to cope with a deaf
ferret, some just think it's easier not too.  I don't think that these
same people would throw there children away or teach them that they're
defective.  I bet they would teach them that they're special.  They don't
do this with ferrets, because they see them as a product, something they
paid money for.
 
Please don't get me wrong I do not and will not agree with purposely
breeding deafness, but I do disagree with the attitude towards deafness.  I
hope that with more education and making the public aware of this, it will
no longer be seen as such a problem.  If anyone is offended by this then
I am sorry, that was not my intent.  I merely wanted to get my thoughts
across.  If anyone is having problems with their deaf ferret and would
like some advice, you are more than welcome to E-mail me.
 
Sincerely,
Liz and her 25 freaky fuzzies
[Posted in FML issue 3117]