So, I know I'm lucky. We're on our 2nd beach vacation of the summer, this time in North Carolina. We're with Chuck's family in this great big house right on the water. We had a rough couple of days getting Christian used to his new surroundings, but now he's sleeping like a champ and back to his silly self. In fact, I have a new word to report:
-occer (Soccer)
Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones, or maybe I just still haven't finished the grieving process, but I had a couple of hard times these past few days. Most notably was yesterday, watching my son with his hearing cousins, splash in the waves. I had this rolling wave of my own emotion come over me, with flashes of him growing up as a teenager, boogie boarding in the waves, but not being able to hear them crash around him with his processor off. I started feeling a bit sad, thinking that while he could hear our voices yesterday on the beach, could he hear the waves? The pelicans? The wind? I think I am having a really hard time not knowing what exactly he is hearing, and how he is hearing it. I'm hoping that some of my favorite adult CI users could give me some insight on this :)
Other than a couple misty eye moments, we're having a nice time once again as a family. Christian is enjoying his time with his grandparents and cousins, and I'm enjoying these last few days of summer before my baby starts school next week.
10 comments:
My son too is a CI user and was diagnosed as profound when he was 17 months old. (Passed newborn hearing screen.) He received his Cochlear implant when he was 26 months old. It is still hard sometimes, I still get that pain that you're talking about every once in a while. I don't know that as their mothers we will ever be able to get rid of that little ache for what coulda/shoulda been. But huge hugs to you from someone who's there with you.
My son too is a CI user and was diagnosed as profound when he was 17 months old. (Passed newborn hearing screen.) He received his Cochlear implant when he was 26 months old. It is still hard sometimes, I still get that pain that you're talking about every once in a while. I don't know that as their mothers we will ever be able to get rid of that little ache for what coulda/shoulda been. But huge hugs to you from someone who's there with you.
Aw, Man! I hate those moments. :(
They do come, but they come less frequently as you see your child grow and become like all the other kids in the million other ways.
Then the few differences just don't seem that significant.
And, then there's always the food sealer and swim cap option! ;)
Hi,
I have been reading your blog and love the beach updates! Christian is darling and he is doing GREAT. I can't believe he's only been activated for three months!!
I found yours from Deaf Village. Christian will not be able to hear the sounds you had mentioned without his CI. Shortly, after we were hookup, we went to the beach and hear the ocean waves crashing in for the very first time. AS I was hitting my feet in the sand, I wasn't for sure if I was hearing this tiny sound. When I had stopped, I realized I didn't hear it. I asked my hearing friend about this and tears was running down to my face when she said it does make noise. It was the most excited CI moment I have ever experienced in my entire life.
Seeing how I was just reintroduced to the beach scene, I can safely say he is hearing the rushing, the roaring, the trickle of the waves. I can hear the seagulls call and the sand crunch beneath my feet. It is a very soothing experience. He might be hearing a lot of wind but there is a quick fix for that, put something to cover the microphone from the wind noise.
He hears it Tina, don't fret about that.
Christian will never be able to hear his friends while he plays on the beach or goes swimming. I can tell you from my own experience (I wore hearing aids most of my life).
But, I do know that Christian and his friends will come up a system to communicate to each other when Christian is not wearing his CI. Don't worry about that.
As for the sounds, he is hearing them. I know its a bit fustrating not knowing what exacting he is hearing. I've been activated for about 2 months now. I am hearing things I've never heard with my hearing aid.
My advice for you is to just take a nice deep breath and just enjoy Christian for who he is (you only get to experience his childhood once, so might as well make the best of it). God will take care of the rest.
I always wear my CIs when I go to the beach, and I certainly do hear the waves crashing, children chatting, the wind, and etc. The only time that I remove my CI is when I go IN the WATER. During that time when I'm in the water, I hear absolutely nothing, but I don't let that stop me from having fun. I use my lipreading skills to communicate with others in the water.
Love love love that picture of Christian! Adorable! :)
Hey Tina Lou,
What happens is that Other children adapt to meet Christian's needs and become more sensitive children as a result. We have spent an entire summer at the beach here with not one but two (and three counting Rachel)deaf children-teens playing volleyball, swimming in the sea, running for water bottles, throwing water balloons, etc. Jordan NEVER wears his ci on the beach and functions just the same - they get used to it, we don't. But, I will tell you this, their friends are better people because of it and that makes the world richer.
PS. I say in two years, Christian will be able to wear his ci in the water with the way tech is moving along.
Hormones do accentuate this feeling, but the feeling is there nonetheless-change the music on your ipod to Gin and Juice - that's what I do *smile*
You are soooooooo cool! Jodi
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