Sunday, January 25, 2015

Vulnerability

Earlier this week, Cochlear Americas shared my story on their blog.  The positive response has amazed me.  I find it SO interesting that I have gone from hiding behind my hearing loss to opening myself up to the world in such a short amount of time.  Though it also makes me feel quite vulnerable, I am grateful to have a voice.

I have been asked to serve on the outreach committee so that I can communicate with those who are considering a CI.  I am thrilled for this opportunity to give back, even just a little bit.  Observing and talking with others who have received a CI is what gave me the courage to go through with it.  I am thankful every day that they paved the way for me.  Hopefully, my journey can help some others have the courage to become bionic.

This month marks my 3 year activation anniversary.  I continue to struggle every day with missing something (today I had to ask a man 3 times to repeat himself when he was asking me a question) but overall, I am conquering the hearing world all day long!


My son was recently fitted with his first pair of hearing aids.  It's been a bittersweet adjustment for him (and for me!).  He HATED them the first month, tolerated the second month and is starting to see the value in this third month.  I am so proud of him but my heart breaks every time he says "I don't have hearing loss!"    Darn genetics!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Kristel!

I recently saw your blog promotion on the CochlearWire (as you mention here) and I just wanted to say that I am so glad to have found another blog on the internet that does what I do on my blog as well. It is always so fascinating to share stories and feel that common thread that exists between CI/hearing aid users/deaf people. Even more so, it is wonderful to SHARE our experiences with those who do not lead lives like our own. I applaud your confidence to put out this blog (I know exactly how that feels) and I hope that we can continue to support each other and our community. If you are at all curious, my blog is over at earplug8.wordpress.com. Keep it up!

Barb said...

Cute little guy

BabyP123 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
BabyP123 said...

Hi there! Thank you so much for sharing your journey with the world! Your little guy is going to do amazingly well because he has the best role model that has already trail-blazed for him! My 14 year old niece was just implanted on the right. She will continue wearing a hearing aid on the left. She had 20% prior to surgery. Can you share where you're at now and what your results were the last time you were in the booth? I know at 2 months post op you went from 1% to 50%! Just amazing!