edit

I was reading the blog overview and I noticed an error...unfortunately I don't know how to edit the overview :S

Anyway, I posted that Audrey has Moderately-Severe hearing loss. I'm not quite sure who told me that she had moderately severe hearing loss...maybe my GP's receptionist.

To be clear, Audrey has Moderate to Profound hearing loss :)

no news is good news

Gee, it has been a while since my last post. I've had a few moments when I've thought that I should post but I feel like I should only post when there is something interesting going on. And, really, there isn't much going on.

Audrey had another audiogram and her hearing loss is still the same as her last: moderate-profound. Good news!

Audrey is doing very well in school. So well that the teacher who comes to work with us at home will only be coming bi-weekly. This is a very good thing, but I feel sad too. I LOVE this teacher. She is such an incredible woman; so inspiring.

We will be having an ASL teacher come to our home to teach us to sign! I'm so excited! I just hope that this teacher knows what he's in for! We're a house of chaos and some of his students will be quite defiant (my kids, not me! hehe).

New stage?

I'm thinking that perhaps I've entered a new stage. The other day I was talking to an Investment Advisor about opening a RDSP (registered disability savings plan) and I needed to share the details of Audrey's disability. The lady kept saying "I'm so sorry" or "oh wow :(" or "oh gee :(". I felt like saying "Don't feel bad for her. Don't pity her. Just open the effing account!" lol. 

Obviously, I have moments when I wish that she wasn't a deaf girl. But, for the first time, I actually was surprised by the pity that I was receiving (or pity for Audrey).

:)

Audrey - Mama, I had a dream about my hearing aids

Me - Oh ya?

Audrey - Ya. and I just love them! I didn't love them when Mary was putting them in my ears but that was because I didn't know them then. Now I love them.



ahhhhhhhh :D

it has been a while...

...since I've last posted! I'm sorry! (to the few ppl who actually read this).

It has been BUSY here. The day to day life with 3 kids and getting ready for Christmas is enough to keep anyone busy. But, we've also been busy with other things that most people don't deal with.

Our FABULOUS homeschool teacher comes once a week. She's been teaching me about deaf culture. She works with the kids...she even brings toys for James :)

On Thursdays we have Audio-Verbal Therapy. We've just started. We have  a LONG way to go. We need to get Audrey "listening" again. She can hear some things with her hearing aids but her brain isn't responding to the sounds normally. Basically, she's checked out. She has become so used to NOT listening that it is an unnatural thing for her brain to do.  I've noticed this. That is why when someone says "HI AUDREY! How are you?" Audrey will just stand there and stare at me or look around and not respond. She's not being rude. Her brain isn't responding to the sounds. Anyway, apparently there is a way to teach her brain or train her brain to become better at "listening".

I've accepted that she'll never be "normal" or "average" but I HATE when other ppl expect her to be so. For example: We were at a store. Cashing out. The cashier says to Audrey "Hi. How are you today?" Audrey just stands there. the cashier proceeds to say "What? Cat's got your tongue??!?"

I said "no. Actually, she's hearing impaired" (I should've said deaf cause I now know that "hearing impaired" is highly offensive to deaf ppl...who knew?!)

Anyway, I just can't stand how people look at my daughter when she doesn't act "normally".

OK, back to updating.

On Monday we met with Audrey's Hearing Resource Teacher. We reviewed Audrey's audiogram from Sick Kids. Her hearing loss has progressed to profound in some frequencies.  Soooo shocking and not at the same time. I've noticed that her hearing is worse. She can no longer hear me speak without her aids.

In leiu of a Christmas Concert, her school had an advent mass. That in itself was a disappointment. I've been looking forward to her JK Xmas concert since her original birth day ;) Anyway, Audrey looked pretty but her disability was on display. I'm sure we and maybe a few others were the only ones who noticed since every other parent was only looking at their OWN kid. Nonetheless, it was a first for me. Seeing my kid on "stage" side by side by side by side hearing kids.

This post actually seems like a downer post. But I'm not feeling really down. I guess the facts are depressing but my girl is still freakin' awesome. And SO smart. I swear, the reason that she is deaf is because she'd be too smart if she had all of her senses ;)

OMG someone is reading this!?!

WOW! surprisingly I rec'd a fb msg from someone who has been reading my recent posts. I can't believe that I have an audience (albeit, small).

When I write my posts, I tend to write as if I'm talking to myself or writing in a journal.

I write things that I will want to read in a year (or more) from now. I NEVER imagined that anyone would continue to follow this blog. Somewhat flattering. It makes me feel happy to know that someone *might* learn something about the deaf culture/community by reading my ramblings. I truly wish for the general population to become more educated on this.

Anyway, here's a shoutout to my 1 follower :)

acoustics

Whenever I hear the word "acoustics" I always think of concerts or live performances. I have never even considered acoustics in the home.

Our home is THE worst in terms of acoustic for a deaf/hard or hearing person. It is TOTALLY open (concept) and has hardwood & tile throughout. A BIG problem for hearing aid wearers. Yet another reason for me wanting to move. (the other reasons aren't really valid).

I'm not sure how we're going to be able to deal with this challenge. We can't afford to move and we can't really put walls up and carpet throughout this house. Hmmmm...I guess I should buy a lottery ticket. I think that we're due for some good luck ;)