Left Ear Activation

Isaac's activation is on October 7th. It is not that far away and we are excited. Granny made Isaac a picture of an ear with a blue processor to put on our refrigerator. She then used "post-it" notes and wrote numbers counting down to Isaac's receiving his "new ear". Every day Isaac pulls a "post-it" off the ear and throws it into the garbage can. He is so excited to get his new ear.

A few months ago, a man came into the gym where I work who had a cochlear implant. He looked like he was in his 30's and he had lost his hearing later in life. He had really short hair and a black cochlear implant. I haven't seen him since, but Isaac did get to meet him one time. I don't remember the man's name, but Isaac told me last week that when he gets bigger, he can get a "black ear" just like Jeff. This was after I told him that he was going to get two tan speech processors. Everyday he can decide if wants to wear his blue ears or tan ears. I am amazed that he remembered the man's name and the 5 minute meeting several months ago from someone we have not seen since. This is proof that it is really important for children with CI's to meet adults who are just like them. That being said, Isaac's pre-school teacher and speech therapist told me that there is a CI support group being formed for our area. Young and old CI users and their families will finally be able to get together and share experiences in our little town! This is so exciting for us!

Isaac had his IEP meeting at school last Friday and it went really well! I was brought to tears many times when the professionals working with Isaac told us how wonderfully he is doing. They told me that the concepts he understands and is able to express are above that of his hearing peers! This totally blew me away. Our family tries to teach him everything we possibly can, but I always feel like we are playing "catch up". Amazingly this is not true! Isaac didn't hear for the first 19 months of his life, so he should be 19 months behind his hearing peers. In reality, he is closer to 19 months ahead of them. We need to work on articulation of his words, but his actual vocabluary is closer to that of a 5 year old! I am amazed. I give all credit to God. We as parents are doing the best we can to teach this amazing little guy with the abilities God gave us. God created Isaac and knew that we would be the best family for him.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well
Psalm 139:14

Even when I was in the deep sadness of mourning the loss of a "perfect child," I knew that somehow Ian and I would be able to handle it. After all, everyone says that God doesn't give us more than we can handle right? I told people that, but secretly doubted it. I no longer mourn the loss of a perfect child because, I have Isaac-my perfect little boy. He is a precious gift from God and he doesn't hear like most people, but he is perfect.