Our local news station is following Evan's journey from silence to sound. They did a story on him before surgery, an update yesterday and will air his activation next week. Here are the links to the KIMT website to watch and read what they have done so far...
Initial story...video
Follow up...article
I will post when his autograph signing will begin...we are working on it!
As many of you know when I get my mind set on something, I make sure as many people as possible know about it. I really think hearing loss awareness is important including CI awareness. All the research I have done has been amazing and I continue to be awed daily. Now I can't be quoted, but I read that something like 90% of infants born deaf every year are born to hearing parents like Rich & I. WOW! I also read that out of all the people infants-adults in the US that actually qualify for cochlear implants...less than 50% actually get them. Some chose not to, some don't truly understand how they work, and some can't afford it. Hearing care is an optional coverage by insurance companies! OPTIONAL! So if you are Deaf, it's not considered medically necessary for insurance to cover hearing aids, and if you are Deaf they won't help you anyway and they DON'T have to cover cochlear implants either. No, it isn't cheap and either is the care needed after surgery. A great deal of appts. follow in the years after implants to program(map) them with and audiologist and with speech and language pathologists. Many parents have to fight to get coverage for their kids, it just blows my mind.
I am not into politics, but I think sharing Evan's story might make people realize that it is necessary! HELLO! I can't wait to see the progress he will make, that wouldn't be possible without some form of hearing. I know he will always be deaf, but with the implant he will hopefully be able to communicate and verbalize. Now seriously look at this little guy and tell him he doesn't need to hear. I hope his story helps someone! I might never know it, but I think sharing as much as possible will help get the word out there!
So as far as the paparazzi goes, he's pretty photogenic and we will work on the autographs. I hope to share his progress with anyone who will listen. And if you don't have the ability to listen yet, I am working on signing :)
Hi, Evan! It's Myah and Macy! We would like to reserve an autographed copy of a head shot of you...any picture you choose, as we think you're handsome in them all... Our momma told us you got some super ears and we just can't wait to sing you a song! It's just been too long since we've snuggled you...shall we set up a playdate? Oh, and hello to those sisters of yours, also, as we are very much big fans of them as well! Love ya, little buddy.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that we found each others blogs. Yes, please do link to mine & I'll be sure to link as well to yours. Your story is touching and it is amazing how the "silence to hearing" community seems so vast and yet so small because of the Internet. I look forward to following your family!
ReplyDeletefortworthgoldenboy@blogspot.com