Deaf Couple Gets CI : Abbie's Experience

 

 

Contrary to how she bowls, New Jersey Cover Girl Cochlear Implant Advocate, Abbie, (who we ALL know and LOVE) NEVER talks out of her Ass...

Abbie left this thoughtful comment on my post: To Implant or Not To Implant a Child Who Has Never Been Amplified (Note: One day...we will hang out, and it will be UGLY!)

I want to inject a comment because of what I saw at this past convention. I had the opportunity to meet many people that have been deaf all their lives and decided to get a CI. Many of them were simply curious to see what makes a sound, they communicated through ASL and they did not speak. I came upon this couple who has never heard a single sound, but they decided together that they were going to get a CI. And they did, together, same day surgery.

Mind you this is just one of many "Lanes" that I met but I was drawn to this particular couple. They reminded me of the couple in "Hear and Now." I latched onto them and asked them what made them decide to get a CI after being unable to hear for the past sixty years. They told me they just wanted to hear sound. Their expectations were very low because the doctors and audiologist stressed that the benefit to someone who has never been amplified is low. They were put through psychiatric session to prepare themselves. They forged ahead not expecting miracles.

They still cannot speak but they are happy with what they can hear. Is that a benefit? Absolutely! I asked them whether the technology was around when they were younger, would they have gotten the CI knowing that the benefit would have been just the same?

They said yes but they might have not stuck with it because of the transition period of learning how to hear.

It has been said that you can never measure the success of someone else's cochlear implant journey because it is personal, but they were happy with the benefit that they did get.

They represented the grown up versions of the 14 year olds that you are talking about. They were placed in a setting where they were "mentally prepared" with a psychiatrist on what to expect. If this same technique could be used on parents to mentally prepare them on the limited expectations, I would say yes. If this type of support structure were not implemented, I would say let the child make his own decision when of age.

July 8, 2008 7:59 AM

Cover Girl ABBIE Rocks!!!

Not only is Abbie a hot, thong wearing, french manicure sporting princess, she is an intelligent advocate of Cochlear Implants.
*AND...*
She has just had her first article published which is a conglomeration of some of her blog-posts. Read it HERE. (must see her eighth grade picture! So cute!!) Abbie's writing style has been known to attract adoring women and goggling men, such as GEO (*smile* - live for their little flirtation goin' on...will they ever meet?)because the woman tells it like it is and adds her own creative no-nonsense style. Her colorful descriptions that we can all relate to reveal a sensitive, yet head-banging powerhouse from New Jersey.

She can be seen all over the blogosphere spreading acts of kindness and words of wisdom, and is actually quite the cheerleader!
Abbie left this comment on my blog about a week ago:

Now, I have a little favor from all you "hot mom's" with deaf kids out there :) Would you could go over to Brianna's Journey, Brianna's mom created this blog because she is having her first cochlear implant surgery this coming Tuesday and she needs support, especially from moms that have been there. Would you mind popping over there and dropping a few words of wisdom? I would really totally appreciate it!

This is what Brianna's Mom wrote as a response to Abbie and all of the moms who wrote to her blog in support of her pre-operation crisis:

A note to all you wonderful people who left me support, advise and understanding, I really appreciate it. I am so grateful to you Abbie for getting everyone together when I really needed people there with me. The support was amazing. I feel so much better about this, I have had my ups and downs, and man, you guys all gave me a great "up"! I really appreciate it, I can't express how grateful I am that when I was down and really just needing someone to be there to pick me up, you all came through.

It has been one heck of a ride so far... and the exciting part is yet to come. Wish us luck tomorrow and I will report back with Brianna's amazing bravery and strength asap!

Here's Brianna post-op!

Abbie...you are an inspiration! Congratulations on your first published article, and I am certain it is only the beginning!
BTW, live for Nirvana!!!