NEVER UNDER-ESTIMATE THE POWER OF A MOM

I am exploding with unbelievable news today and I don't really know where to begin. First of all, I just read this on the CI CIRCLE:
From our Cochlear rep:

'Consumer Marketing has had the opportunity to work on some great national
television opportunities over the past year.
Our most recent one is an ongoing storyline on the soap opera 'All My Children'.
This week they are scheduled to air episodes that will feature the character of
Spike, a young boy, having implant surgery.
Please tune in to your local ABC affiliate to view these shows on Dec 12, 13 and
14 (see local listings for times).
As part of our partnership with AMC, we've consulted with the show on scripts,
as well as provided product and education to their staff.
Cochlear staff actually went to their studio in New York to help with correct
propping.
We are very excited to see these shows air to an audience of 2,926,000 people!
If you are unable to catch the daily soaps, we will be capturing the clips to
share with you.
We are currently working with show producers on other ideas of how we can
partner to spread education and awareness of CIs. "

Spreading Cochlear Implant Awareness by means of media serves to educate the masses so that a friend of a friend can pass the word on to a new mother who may not have otherwise known all of her options. One trend that I have begun noticing is that there is not too much diversity on these yahoo groups, which leads me to believe that not enough parents are being informed of their options or even the support that is available at Early Intervention levels, Pediatricians' or Audiologists' Offices.

The Pediatric Cochlear Implant Circle decided to do something about making more information available by creating an International PARENT TO PARENT: COCHLEAR IMPLANTS FOR KIDS BROCHURE. This endeavor, lead by a very informed, educated and active parent, Lydia, together with the Gift of Hearing Foundation has come to fruition!!!! WAFREAKINGHOO!!! This brochure, thanks to the joint effort of 1400 parents who have provided the names of doctors, audiologists, surgeons, ci centers, speech therapists, early intervention programs, etc will be available all over the USA and other English-speaking countries.

Many times mothers of children with disabilities leave their careers, abandoning professions that they spent years of education trying to secure and achieve in order to dedicate their time to helping their children learn to speak using the cochlear implant or hearing aids. What a waste of a good woman...right? WRONG! These are the women who are paving the way for future children, who are sensitive and intelligent enough to recognize their kids' needs and work their asses off to make sure they are met. One of the women on the list this week went to fight the school to make sure her daughter's needs were identified and met...and she is winning. Every battle we win makes us stronger and the system stronger for the next child.

A couple of days ago I re-posted Hailey's video with the Santa Surprise, well Hailey's mom Selena just dropped a bomb on the Listen-Up group:

Once again a member of our family is starting a new journey in her life,
however this time it's not Hailey. It is however a journey that will greatly
affect Hailey.
I am glad to announce that I am now the newest student at Bethel College's
School of Arts and Sciences. I'll be working towards my B.A. in Sign Language
Interpretation. Of course after not being in school for almost 11 yrs now, I'm scared
wittless. However I feel blessed with an awesome support system(hint hint, momma
bear). Even though I know it won't always be easy, I'm confident that I will do
well. While I won't actually be able to start ASL classes till the fall(ASL 1 isn't
offered in the spring), Jan 16th will be my fist day of class. I'm going to work
at getting some of my General Studies out of the way.
Anyway, Just thought I'd share.

Education is an ongoing process and we learn from our children every single day. Selene is an inspiration for every mother out there who has deviated her path to fight for her child...POWER TO THE MOMMIES, LADIES!

HOT OFF THE PRESS (WHAT IS WITH THE MOMMAS TODAY!!!??) MEET PAULA (AS IF YOU DON'T ALREADY KNOW HER:)
Paula Rosenthal, J.D. is married and has three children. She, her husband and daughter are all hearing impaired. Her sons have normal hearing. A law school graduate, Paula is the publisher of http://www.HearingExchange.com, an online community for people with hearing loss, parents of deaf and hard of hearing children and professionals. She is also a writer and speaker on hearing loss and related issues. To contact her, send an email to info@hearingexchange.com.PLEASE READ HER 5 Tips to Help Your Deaf or Hard of Hearing Child Enjoy the Holidaysby Paula Rosenthal, J.D. I AM SURE YOU WILL FIND IT EXTREMELY USEFUL

Now, just to remind everyone why we are working so hard to create awareness...here's the latest from Val, co-owner of the support group learn2hear and her daughter Brooke, one of our beloved Cochlear Kids!!!


LATE ENTRY: ANOTHER AMAZING WOMAN/MOTHER...CHECK OUT RACHEL'S BLOG OF SIGNING TIME:The Signing Time Foundation has partnered with Signs of Hope International to bring Signing Time to Ghana Africa.I