From one successful story to the next........

Today we met The Baker family at a park in St. Petersburg, Florida.
It was an incredible day! Our families blended so well.
Meeting Courtney, was like a reacquainting with an old high school/ college friend that I hadn't seen in years!
When I said "hello" and hugged her, tears came to my eyes. It was such an intense feeling, knowing that this person who I have talked to for months has walked down the same path that I'm approaching.
God does have our lives planned out before birth, and He reconfirmed it.
Our husbands hit it off and seem to share the same strong, high spirited personalities. It was interesting to listen to their conversation, from "guy" talk to hearing how passionate they are about their daughter's experiences and their progress.
As for the little ones......the four of them interacted and played together as if they have been best friends, that they see each other everyday!

It was amazing and yet very emotional for me to listen to Rhyan answering my questions. I asked her what grade she was in and what is her most enjoyable activity, at home or at school. She replied immediately without any hesitation or asking me to speak louder in the cutest little voice. She held a conversation like any other 6 year old.
She then was interviewed by the news cast and that is when I became teary eyed. I watched as the reporter asked Rhyan questions and she was smiling and responding like any happy little girl would.
It was tears of joy and anticipation, knowing that my Jilly will be at this point of progress at her age.

One of my husband's questions to Rhyan was "what do I sound like?" Which we have been told from others that it sounds like a duck, a robot, or like talking under water. She replied "what do you mean? You sound normal." Matt (her Father) told us a story, that one night they were watching T.V. and the theft commercial (credit card company) came on... the man is sitting there in a lazy boy chair and his voice is a females voice and she looked over at her Mom and Dad saying " that isn't right" that's not a mans voice. She was able to hear the difference from low and high tones and was able to differentiate the sounds from the voice.

I wonder if Rhyan (or Jillian when she is older) wonders why people ask her these questions? To her this is all she knows, there is nothing different.
It's funny because since Jillian has been born and people have met her for the first time, I don't introduce my daughter as " this is Jillian, and she is deaf." I introduce her as Jillian. Not that I'm embarrassed or want anyone to feel sorry for her, if anything when I do tell someone it comes across as being PROUD!
As she has become older, at times when people are talking to her and they except her to respond, I let them know that she is deaf. So that they have a little better understanding.

Meeting "The Baker family" was very inspirational! I love encountering inspired people, it only motivates you to do more and to be successful. Isn't that what life's about!!

Jillian turned 17 months today!

Two more days and counting to her first mapping appointment!

So ABC Action News has been following Jillian through her successful progress.
I will let everyone know when it is going to be televised!

On Thursday we will be meeting the Baker Family for the first time. I have been in contact with Ryhan's Mom (Courtney) since September 2007 (rhyanshope.org).
Courtney's daughter (Rhyan) received her first CI at 18 months and just recently received her second CI in May 2007.
Her bilateral implants have been extremely successful, and she now attends the first grade.
I of course can't wait to meet Courtney, but even more so can not wait to meet, and talk to Rhyan.
I don't want to overwhelm her with questions.....she 7 years old, but I can't wait to hear, and to see the success from this beautiful little girl that I have only read about and have seen her pictures.

In all honesty, I have always felt alienated when I found out at birth that my little one was deaf. I don't know anyone who is deaf, and immediately wanted to know how I can better her from her diagnose.

I have spoken to many parents with deaf children and spoken to the most beautiful people that have chosen to remain deaf, and admire everyone's story!

Sign Language is a beautiful language and will always be seen in our household.
Jillian will always be deaf and it is a beautiful gift from God.

I choose the path to try to give her the gift of hearing. I should rephrase that, I hope that this is God's plan for her.

I know that the deaf community sometimes frowns upon CI's but why not give our children every and all opportunities to try to make their lives easier!

I was told at age 7 that I needed to wear eye glasses to see the chalk board and I can't imagine my parents telling me just "deal with it".

Of course , if there is something that can better a situation......."go with it!"

The Gift of Hearing.....
Which some of us take for granted! Next time you're in a public setting, at the pool, at the Beach, at the Grocery Store, or at a Restaurant. Plug your ears and look around you....that is the closest feeling you'll get to being deaf.
I have tried that at times, just to put myself in my daughters foot steps, to comprehend what it would be like, and what she has gone through.
I know that she doesn't know any different, but I can't imagine not being able to hear music to dance to, my parents teaching me, my sister's voice, and laughter. My Grandparent's telling me they Love me, the sound of birds chirping, the wind blowing through the trees, the sound of the telephone ringing, the door bell to company, and our dog (Marley) barking.
Today was Jillian's activation date. To her the most scariest day and amazing day of her life.
It started with her doctor's tuning the implant, to her it was beeping sounds. Like you and I can imagine when we get our hearing tested.
Her reaction was a little scared and crying but for the most part she was still, curious and a bit confused.
The Audiologist then said "we are going to turn the implant on so she can hear our voices." I said a quick prayer , and Thanked God but was scared of how she was going to react.
She started crying immediately, and looked puzzled. After a few minutes went by we took her out of her surroundings. We walked outside of the Hospital and introduced her to noises and sounds that she had never heard or been accustom to.
The sound of a lawn mower, a industrial truck passing, the sound of a horn honking, and walking into a bathroom and turning on the faucet to running water.
Her expressions were irreplaceable!
She was a champion through it all, not crying , just her facial expressions and head turning was enough to know that she was interested and could hear.

At times we weren't sure if it was vibrations or just observation, but of course we were optimistic and viewed it as success.

After the appointment went back home and put her down for her afternoon nap.
This was the MOST AMAZING part of the day, three hours later she woke up, and Dad went up stairs to get her. He proceeded down the steps with her head turned the opposite direction of me, and I said "GOOD MORNING JILLIAN" ...her head turned so fast towards my direction with a puzzled look on her face and John and I just smiled at each other and said " did you see that?" That to me was the most exciting, memorable moment in my 31 years besides giving both my girls their first kiss at birth!

I will never forget, nor ever have an experience like that again!

Later that night I opened one of her Christmas gifts given to her from her cousin's it was a electronic keyboard. I had kept it hidden from of course her bigger sister (Isabelle) knowing her desire to open and play with it but this was Jillian's gift for when she would be able to hear.
I unwrapped it and turned it on, I pressed a button that would continuously play a beat and Jillian started laughing and dancing to it! Again, just an amazing moment!

I can only describe this experience as if I'm a child that received a new toy for Christmas and can't wait to play with it! When I'm at work, I can't wait to get home to both my girls to interact with them. But now my youngest daughter can hear things she has never heard before. I'm introducing her to things by sound and words that she has never been able to comprehend. It's as if she is new born and I'm explaining to her what everything is for the first time, except that she is smart enough to put two and two together. Everything she eats, feels, smells and sees is now introduced to her in words. It is honestly incredible!

It is truly so important for a deaf person to be implanted as soon and young as possible because if enough years go by it's only harder for them to adjust and understand.
I'm not saying that an implant won't do justis for an adult but you have to think about a child is like a "sponge" their first three years are crucial to what they see, hear and learn.

Thank you for all of your prayers!