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| Learned Optimism: How to Change Your Mind and Your Life |
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| Written by Administrator |
| Tuesday, 20 January 2009 03:04 |
IbrbrbrTwo Ways of Looking at LifebrbrbrTHE FATHER is looking down into the crib at his sleeping newborn daughter, just home from the hospital. His heart is overflowing with awe and gratitude for the beauty of her, the perfection.brbrThe baby opens her eyes and stares straight up.brbrThe father calls her name, expecting that she will turn her head and look at him. Her eyes don't move.brbrHe picks up a furry little toy attached to the rail of the bassinet and shakes it, ringing the bell it contains. The baby's eyes don't move.brbrHis heart has begun to beat rapidly. He finds his wife in their bedroom and tells her what just happened. "She doesn't seem to respond to noise at all," he says. "It's as if she can't hear."brbr"I'm sure she's all right," the wife says, pulling her dressing gown around her. Together they go into the nursery.brbrShe calls the baby's name, jingles the bell, claps her hands. Then she picks up the baby, who immediately perks up, wiggling and cooing.brbr"My God," the father says. "She's deaf."brbr"No she's not," the mother says. "I mean, it's too soon to say a thing like that. Look, she's brand-new. Her eyes don't even focus yet."brbr"But there wasn't the slightest movement, even when you clapped as hard as you could."brbrThe mother takes a book from the shelf. "Let's read what's in the baby book," she says. She looks up "hearing" and reads out loud: " 'Don't be alarmed if your newborn fails to startle at loud noises or fails to orient toward sound. The startle reflex and attention to sound often take some time to develop. Your pediatrician can test your child's hearing neurologically.'brbr"There," the mother says. Doesn't that make you feel better?"brbrNot much," the father says. "It doesn't even mention the other possibility, that the baby is deaf. And all IStore:
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