Hello,
I just need to take a moment to vent! My daughter is 13 months and she has bilateral profound hearing loss.We found this out when she was 1 month old.When we first found out about her hearing loss, it wasnt this devastating moment in our lives.I love my daughter and she is such a joy to be around. She loves interacting with people and she is just wonderful.I will be honest, when we were first presented with everything, our first reaction was,"well of course we're going to implant her!" Then my attitude started changing and I started thinking of my daughter and her future in all sorts views.I then decided to start learning sign language and teaching her because I want her to have choices.If when she is older she feels more comfortable around the hearing community..ok.But, if she feels better around the deaf community or both, thats fine too.But,now that she is going through her CI evaluations,I DO NOT like the way my husband and I are being "counseled." Of course I told them that she is being taught ASL, and they were like "well, she should be spoken to orally and then maybe later on taught ASL" ARRRRHHH!!!! There are many hearing children that learn 2 languages and do just fine.There is NO proven fact that ASL will hinder her oral communication.And that brings up another point, I WILL NOT tolerate ANYONE making my child feel that she has to speak " almost perfect" and sound "normal." The reason I am choosing to have her implanted is so she can communicate with the public and have choices,NOT to make her "more normal!" She is normal and there is nothing wrong with her.It is hard B/C I am also in nursing school right now,and the audiologist tried making me feel like I was a bad parent.She kept emphasizing that I will have to make time for my daughter and this and that. and it takes family dedication.I do make time for her and she is my everything.But, as an educated woman she should understand the importance of going to school.I love nursing, and I feel not only am I an advocate for my patients,but I am also my daughters advocate.I think they are intimidated that I have strong opinions and I although I take what they say into account,their words are not put on a pedestal.I have asked 3 audiologist to link me up with a parent that has a child that was implanted.Not 1 person has contacted me.Not 1.And to top it off,the family she contacted lives 15 min. away from me.Why do people sign up for something and NOT follow through with it????That is the second family that blew me off.I could never do that.And I know she contacted them B/C I was sitting in her office when she made the phone call.I also asked if my daughter could have her surgery in Jan. B/C I have winter break and I could be home with her and not have to juggle appts. But NO, they cancelled her 3rd CI evaluation and scheduled it at the end of Jan. When i asked about this they said they had to reschedule b/c the staff had a meeting that day.OK, I feel better!! I never knew the stress this would be.I guess I am not satisfied with her 1st evaluation,I felt rushed and judged.My husband and I are trying to figure out which implant company to go with.We feel like we were just thrown out there.Does anyone have any advice or expierences of their own?I dont understand all that technical jargon with the implants.I understand the physiology,but not the the technical = ) By the way, we are considering MEDEL.Thanx for letting me vent!!
I just need to take a moment to vent! My daughter is 13 months and she has bilateral profound hearing loss.We found this out when she was 1 month old.When we first found out about her hearing loss, it wasnt this devastating moment in our lives.I love my daughter and she is such a joy to be around. She loves interacting with people and she is just wonderful.I will be honest, when we were first presented with everything, our first reaction was,"well of course we're going to implant her!" Then my attitude started changing and I started thinking of my daughter and her future in all sorts views.I then decided to start learning sign language and teaching her because I want her to have choices.If when she is older she feels more comfortable around the hearing community..ok.But, if she feels better around the deaf community or both, thats fine too.But,now that she is going through her CI evaluations,I DO NOT like the way my husband and I are being "counseled." Of course I told them that she is being taught ASL, and they were like "well, she should be spoken to orally and then maybe later on taught ASL" ARRRRHHH!!!! There are many hearing children that learn 2 languages and do just fine.There is NO proven fact that ASL will hinder her oral communication.And that brings up another point, I WILL NOT tolerate ANYONE making my child feel that she has to speak " almost perfect" and sound "normal." The reason I am choosing to have her implanted is so she can communicate with the public and have choices,NOT to make her "more normal!" She is normal and there is nothing wrong with her.It is hard B/C I am also in nursing school right now,and the audiologist tried making me feel like I was a bad parent.She kept emphasizing that I will have to make time for my daughter and this and that. and it takes family dedication.I do make time for her and she is my everything.But, as an educated woman she should understand the importance of going to school.I love nursing, and I feel not only am I an advocate for my patients,but I am also my daughters advocate.I think they are intimidated that I have strong opinions and I although I take what they say into account,their words are not put on a pedestal.I have asked 3 audiologist to link me up with a parent that has a child that was implanted.Not 1 person has contacted me.Not 1.And to top it off,the family she contacted lives 15 min. away from me.Why do people sign up for something and NOT follow through with it????That is the second family that blew me off.I could never do that.And I know she contacted them B/C I was sitting in her office when she made the phone call.I also asked if my daughter could have her surgery in Jan. B/C I have winter break and I could be home with her and not have to juggle appts. But NO, they cancelled her 3rd CI evaluation and scheduled it at the end of Jan. When i asked about this they said they had to reschedule b/c the staff had a meeting that day.OK, I feel better!! I never knew the stress this would be.I guess I am not satisfied with her 1st evaluation,I felt rushed and judged.My husband and I are trying to figure out which implant company to go with.We feel like we were just thrown out there.Does anyone have any advice or expierences of their own?I dont understand all that technical jargon with the implants.I understand the physiology,but not the the technical = ) By the way, we are considering MEDEL.Thanx for letting me vent!!