The night before Lily's implantation we watched a marketing video from Advanced Bionics about a little girl named Cecilia who received a cochlear implant around the age of two. She was independent, confident, talking, seemed really smart and had great parents. We loved her and always wondered what happened to Cecilia? This was a little girl who helped us believe Lily's CIs were going to work.
I had an update a few years ago from Mary Koch, her therapist in the video, and then tonight I stumbled upon this jewel. An update video. Today Cecilia is at the top of her class and an accomplished athlete. She's getting ready for college. Celilia said she couldn't imagine a life without sound. What a great way to end the day.
Check out the Alfred Mann Foundation (http://aemf.org/) and scroll to the bottom of the first page for the video.
Cecilia is a big inspriation to us also. I have a five year old little girl who was born deaf and has bilaterial cochlear implants. We actually live a half an hour from Cecilia in PA and my daughter and i had the pleasure to met with her and her mother Pam a few years back. Awesome family and i'm so glad they helped inspired other people too. She too helped us believe that Miley our little girl's CI's were going to work :)
Posted by: Elaine | February 27, 2014 at 11:35 AM
Elaine,
Thats awesome. Small cochlear implant world!!
Susan
Posted by: Lily's Mom | February 27, 2014 at 11:44 AM