Post Mother's Day Post

I read the following last year on Cochlear Implant Online, and loved it.   Elizabeth, the writer, is a young grad student who has the insight and sensitivity of an old soul.  She will be a terrific SLP or hearing resource professional very soon. 

Mother's Day was very special this year.  Lily's Dad and I think about how lucky we are daily.    (My personal edits below are in italics)

May 8th, 2010 by Elizabeth

HERE’S TO THE MOMS

Here’s to the Moms who may not have “signed up” to parent a deaf or hard of hearing child, but do so anyway with grace and love.

Here’s to the Moms who narrate every second of every day, not caring what others may think.

Here’s to the Moms who put miles on their cars driving back and forth to countless therapy sessions, doctor’s appointments, hearing aid fittings, cochlear implant mappings, and more.

Here’s to the Moms who work hard to be their child’s best advocate and primary language role model.

Here’s to the Moms who have had to learn a new language too fast full of Auditory Verbal/Auditory Oral terms and audiological jargon.

Here’s to the Moms who face the “experts” and fight for their child’s best interest in IFSP/IEP meetings and in those meetings where you are just trying to make the system better. 

Here’s to the Moms who can wrestle two CIs or HAs onto a squirming toddler… and replace it 20-40 times each day, even in the car, without loosing their cool.

Here’s to the Moms who can cook dinner, answer the phone, and change a CI/HA battery without breaking a sweat.

Here’s to the Moms who constantly have to explain their child’s “equipment” and answer the question are those forever?

Here’s to the Moms who have ever felt the pain of having a child who is “different”.

Here’s to the Moms who never take a single word for granted.

Here’s to the Moms who never fail to astound me with their capacity to persevere… and to love.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!
Originally posted May 9, 2009

Comments

[Yanti Mokhtar]

How so very true..we do all these things on a daily basis (with joy in our hearts :))

[Diane Nielsen]

If anyone represents, this it is you. I can only thank God that he sent Lily to someone like you to give her the love and hard work. Because of you and Brian, I have a granddaughter that if I didn't know our Lily had a problem, I'd see her as a very advanced, vibrant, child. When you add in her hearing, she is an exceptional child and it is thanks to you. You are very special parents and I thank you.