Michael Chorost, who wrote Rebuilt about his first cochlear implant, is going bilateral today! Think good thoughts for him! I cannot wait to read his next book!
Also, Dixie, another CI friend in Alabama, will have her bilateral surgery on Wednesday! I met her and her husband in Nashville in August and they are a delightful couple.
More later. . . hope you all are "finding Christmas". . .
I found this song on YouTube and just absolutely love it. I've always loved "Mary's Song" but now this! Listen to it and watch the pictures with the lyrics. . .
Here are the lyrics:
Joseph's Lullaby
Artist(Band): MercyMe
Go to sleep my Son
This manger for your bed
You have a long road before You
Rest Your little head
Can You feel the weight of Your glory?
Do You understand the price?
Does the Father guard Your heart for now
So You can sleep tonight?Go to sleep my Son
Go and chase Your dreams
This world can wait for one more moment
Go and sleep in peaceI believe the glory of Heaven
Is lying in my arms tonight
Lord, I ask that He for just this moment
Simply be my childGo to sleep my Son
Baby, close Your eyes
Soon enough You'll save the day
But for now, dear Child of mine
Oh my Jesus, Sleep tight. . .
Monday, December 17, 2007
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
I'm Still Here. . .Just Barely
This is just a short post to let my readers know that I haven't dropped off the face of the earth. . .I'm dealing with some "stuff" right now and trying to find "Christmas". . .
Tomorrow night is the Knoxville Chapter HLAA (Hearing Loss Association of America) meeting and I am busy getting ready for that. It is our annual Christmas party.
After much thought and prayer, I turned in my notice at work last week. My "boss" and supervisor did not want to take my resignation letter but they both understood my need to step back. I made it to my 10 year anniversary there and my last day will be December 28th. Next year promises to be a busier one with our business and I just can't do two jobs anymore, along with my other commitments and activities. I'll even have more time to blog! And hope to write "my book." I'm looking forward to this next chapter in my life but at the same time I will be sad to leave a wonderful group of coworkers and friends. . .
I'm still hearing new things and hope to find time to write about them this weekend. Hope this finds all of you doing well and looking forward to the holidays. All of our children will be home, including Jason and his new wife, Jessica. We can't wait!
Tomorrow night is the Knoxville Chapter HLAA (Hearing Loss Association of America) meeting and I am busy getting ready for that. It is our annual Christmas party.
After much thought and prayer, I turned in my notice at work last week. My "boss" and supervisor did not want to take my resignation letter but they both understood my need to step back. I made it to my 10 year anniversary there and my last day will be December 28th. Next year promises to be a busier one with our business and I just can't do two jobs anymore, along with my other commitments and activities. I'll even have more time to blog! And hope to write "my book." I'm looking forward to this next chapter in my life but at the same time I will be sad to leave a wonderful group of coworkers and friends. . .
I'm still hearing new things and hope to find time to write about them this weekend. Hope this finds all of you doing well and looking forward to the holidays. All of our children will be home, including Jason and his new wife, Jessica. We can't wait!
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Giving Thanks for Miracles
Happy Thanksgiving to you from our house! Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday because we can celebrate with family and friends, be together for a meal, and give thanks for all our blessings. Today has been a good day celebrating with family and friends, far and near, in person and online. I am thankful for many things, all things great and small. I am thankful for the gift of life and for the gift of sound through the miracle of cochlear implants.
Making the decision to undergo surgery for a cochlear implant is not always an easy one and requires a huge step of faith, usually in unknown territory. My friend, Jennifer received her second implant earlier this month and was activated two days ago and is hearing so well. I'm just thrilled to pieces. She sent me a video of her activation and I've watched it over and over several times. Instead of crying (like most of us do) when she was activated, she was laughing! Ethan, Erin, and Kauan were recently activated with their bilateral implants, too. I also have friends who will be recieving their second implant next month and in January. I'm sure there are many others who have or are receiving this life-changing miracle through technology. I have friends (and even a brother) who are thinking about getting a cochlear implant or going bilateral. And they will hear through the courage, gift, and talents of others before us who paved the way for technology to make a miracle through sound.
Miracles. . . every day they are there in front of us. . . big ones and small ones. . . if we only look for them. It is a miracle that we can get up and breathe and celebrate another day of life. It is a miracle that we can see, smell, touch, taste, and hear. . . The following excerpt is from Shane Claiborne's book, The Irresistible Revolution: Living As An Ordinary Radical:
"Back at college I asked one of my Bible teachers if he still believed in miracles, like when Jesus fed thousands of people with a couple fishes and a handful of loaves. And I wondered if God was still into that stuff. I wanted miracles to be normal again. He told me that we have insulated ourselves from miracles. We no longer live with such reckless faith that we need them. There is rarely room for the transcedent in our lives. If we get sick, we go to the doctor. If we need food, we go to the store and buy it. We have eliminated the need for miracles. If we had enough faith to depend on God like the lilies and sparrows do, we would see miracles. For is it not a miracle that the birds find enough worms each day?. . . "
Is God still into "that stuff" called miracles? Yes, I believe He is. This Thanksgiving I am hearing well with two "ears" for the first time ever. . .and dancing with sound. I believe in miracles because I see and experience them every day, in big ways and small ways. And you will too. Just stop, look, and listen for one. And thank the One who allows you to encounter and savor it.
P.S. Some recent "miracles" that have made me smile while cooking our Thanksgiving dinner are:
Making the decision to undergo surgery for a cochlear implant is not always an easy one and requires a huge step of faith, usually in unknown territory. My friend, Jennifer received her second implant earlier this month and was activated two days ago and is hearing so well. I'm just thrilled to pieces. She sent me a video of her activation and I've watched it over and over several times. Instead of crying (like most of us do) when she was activated, she was laughing! Ethan, Erin, and Kauan were recently activated with their bilateral implants, too. I also have friends who will be recieving their second implant next month and in January. I'm sure there are many others who have or are receiving this life-changing miracle through technology. I have friends (and even a brother) who are thinking about getting a cochlear implant or going bilateral. And they will hear through the courage, gift, and talents of others before us who paved the way for technology to make a miracle through sound.
Miracles. . . every day they are there in front of us. . . big ones and small ones. . . if we only look for them. It is a miracle that we can get up and breathe and celebrate another day of life. It is a miracle that we can see, smell, touch, taste, and hear. . . The following excerpt is from Shane Claiborne's book, The Irresistible Revolution: Living As An Ordinary Radical:
"Back at college I asked one of my Bible teachers if he still believed in miracles, like when Jesus fed thousands of people with a couple fishes and a handful of loaves. And I wondered if God was still into that stuff. I wanted miracles to be normal again. He told me that we have insulated ourselves from miracles. We no longer live with such reckless faith that we need them. There is rarely room for the transcedent in our lives. If we get sick, we go to the doctor. If we need food, we go to the store and buy it. We have eliminated the need for miracles. If we had enough faith to depend on God like the lilies and sparrows do, we would see miracles. For is it not a miracle that the birds find enough worms each day?. . . "
Is God still into "that stuff" called miracles? Yes, I believe He is. This Thanksgiving I am hearing well with two "ears" for the first time ever. . .and dancing with sound. I believe in miracles because I see and experience them every day, in big ways and small ways. And you will too. Just stop, look, and listen for one. And thank the One who allows you to encounter and savor it.
P.S. Some recent "miracles" that have made me smile while cooking our Thanksgiving dinner are:
- a lone chickadee singing at the bird feeder outside the kitchen window
- rain. . .gently falling rain
- two 7 month old German Shepherd puppies chasing each other around the island while I'm trying to cook! (we have four dogs in the house with everyone home)
- the fire in the fireplace crackling, whistling, and popping
- laughter of three teenaged girls while making pies
- butter sizzling in the pan
- water boiling over the pot of potatoes on the stove
- the "pssstt" of soda when I open the bottle
- the "boys" watching (and yelling) the Green Bay Packers play on TV - Go Packers!
- talking to Jason on the phone - I asked him what he made for Thanksgiving and he said "mashed potatoes" and "collard pie". . . .I had to hand the phone to Steve because I didn't know what "collard pie" was. . .he was trying to tell me that he made "CARMEL PIE!" I was close, wasn't I? :-D
- watching and listening to the music on the video "Fiddler On The Roof" with Steve
- and hearing my family say, "I love you!"
For all these things, I give thanks! Happy Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
TV Interview Transcript
I've had several requests for the transcript for my TV interview. The reporter emailed it to me so I'll post it for those of you who can't hear without close captioning. I know I still like to use close captioning myself. So, here it is! (The capital letters are the voice track that the reporter did and the lower case sentences are my quotes.) I hope you enjoy!
Anchor Intro: AFTER A LIFETIME OF LIVING IN SILENCE AN EAST TENNESSEE WOMAN IS SPEAKING OUT ON BEHALF OF THE STATES DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING. BUT AS STYLE'S APRIL LAMB LEARNED, LAURIE PULLINS NEVER LET HER HEARING LOSS DISABLE HER.
Package:
LAURIE PULLINS WAS BORN WITH A PROFOUND HEARING LOSS.
The doctors told my parents to put me in an institution, that I would have a difficult life and that I would never learn to speak. . .
BUT HER PARENTS DIDN'T WANT THEIR DAUGHTER TO BE TRAPPED IN A WORLD OF SILENCE.
My mother was a teacher and because I was the first child, she didn't know anything else and felt like she could work with me and find a way to get me to be a part of the hearing world.
LAURIE'S PARENTS FOUND HELP FOR THEIR DAUGHTER AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, WHERE A PROGRAM WAS BEGINNING TO TEACH THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING HOW TO READ LIPS AND TALK.
Back when I was diagnosed when I was two, it was unconventional for people to teach the deaf to talk. . .I can remember sitting on my therapist's lap and putting my hand to her throat and trying to imitate the sounds that she was making.
LAURIE WENT TO A DEAF SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN, BUT WAS THEN MOVED INTO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
That's when things got hard. Kids would make fun of me because I talked funny and I couldn't hear them when they called out to me. They labeled me as a snob sometimes because I wasn't answering them when they talked to me.
AS A CHILD LAURIE DIDN'T LET HER HEARING LOSS LIMIT HER EXPERIENCES: SHE LEARNED TO PLAY THE PIANO AND THEN HEADED OFF TO COLLEGE WHERE SHE MET HER HUSBAND.
When I was growing up I always wanted to get married and have children. I never thought it would be possible with my disability. But I met my husband. He never saw my hearing as a disability. . .he loved me for who I was.
AFTER THE COUPLE MARRIED LAURIE PUT HER EDUCATION ON HOLD WITH A PROMISE TO HER PARENTS THAT ONE DAY SHE WOULD RETURN. WITH SCHOOL ON HOLD, LAURIE AND HER HUSBAND STARTED A FAMILY.
My children had to be my ears for me at a very young age. I taught them how to talk for me. They had to learn their manners and be an advocate for me on the phone.
ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO LAURIE WENT TO WORK AT THE ALCOA TENN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, A JOB THAT POSED MANY CHALLENGES.
10 years ago I was a very scared person because I had never worked with the public. I was not comfortable working with the public, but I needed a job where I could work during the day and be with my children at night.
LAURIE SAYS SHE READ LIPS AND HAD TO ASK CUSTOMERS TO SPEAK UP, BUT HER CO-WORKERS HELPED WHEN THEY COULD AND THE EXPERIENCE RENEWED HER DESIRE TO GET A DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING. SO, SHE ENROLLED IN AN ON-LINE CLASS AT PELLISSIPPI STATE.
I did so well with my first class that I took another class. I did well in that class so I took two classes the next semester and to make a long story short I decided to go to school full time.
LAURIE DECIDED TO GO TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE WHERE SHE FOUND SUPPORT THAT DIDN'T EXSIST THE FIRST TIME PURSUING A DEGREE.
When I enrolled at the University of Tennessee the disabilities office contacted me I didn't even know there was a disabilities office. They said, "We would like to come to your classes and help you" and I said "Well, I don't sign. I don't need an interpreter. They said, "We can provide a note taker for you. . ."
TRANSCRIBERS WENT TO CLASS WITH LAURIE AND IN TWO YEARS SHE GRADUATED AND BEGAN WORKING AS AN ACCOUNTANT, BUT THE CHANGES IN HER LIFE KEPT COMING. IN 2005 LAURIE LEARNED THAT SHE WAS LOSING WHAT LITTLE HEARING SHE HAD.
I always knew that cochlear implants were out there. I was waiting until I had nothing left before I would consider it.
COCHLEAR IMPLANTS ARE AN ELECTRONIC HEARING DEVICED THAT IS IMPLANTED SURGICALLY IMPLANTED. IN AUGUST OF 2005 LAURIE UNDERWENT SURGERY TO PLACE HER FIRST COCHLEAR IMPLANT.
My hearing aids did enough to communicate with other people to hear the sounds I thought I needed to hear. But there were many sounds that I missed. I never got to hear the birds sing. I never got to hear my kids when they were talking. I never got to hear my kids call out to me when they needed something. . .
BUT THE DAY THAT LAURIE HAD HER IMPLANT ACTIVATED ALL OF THAT CHANGED.
I heard the dog's toenails on the floor. I could hear music playing and I could hear a bird. When I went out to lunch with my friend I could hear the coffee maker making noise, I could hear the blinker in my car. I talked to my husband on the phone for the first time that night. It was instant, but it wasn't perfect, but it was better than what I had before.
THE GIFT OF SOUND WASN'T JUST A JOY FOR HER IT WAS ALSO A JOY FOR HER FAMILY.
The first week I was activated, my son came home from school, from college, because he wanted to talk to me. He wanted me to hear his voice when he came home. And I can remember him running up the stairs with a box in his hand. He said, "Mom I have a present for you." When I opened it up it was an iPod. . . all four of my children had bought it together, because for the first time I could hear all the sounds coming together in music.
EARLIER THIS YEAR LAURIE DECIDED TO IMPLANT HER OTHER EAR.
Just like if you listen to the radio or when you watch TV if you have a bad speaker it's not going to sound good to you. I had one good speaker with my cochlear implant and I had a bad speaker with my hearing aid. I wanted two good speakers.
LAURIE ENJOYS BEING ABLE TO HEAR THE THINGS GOING ON AROUND HER, BUT IT HAS CAUSED HER TO LOOK BACK AND FOCUS ON OTHERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH A HEARING LOSS.
I feel like this is a new chapter in my life and I want to pay it forward to those who have not always had the support system that I have had. I want to be a source of encouragement, a source of information. . .
IN APRIL LAURIE WAS APPOINTED TO THE TENNESSEE COUNCIL FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING.
I am the only deaf person on the council that has been deaf from birth. There are some on the council that work with the hard of hearing, there are some who have lost their hearing later in life.
I truly believe that God gives people gifts and I am where I am today because other people have shared their gifts.
I am very appreciative of what I have. . .I appreciate hearing the birds sing, I appreciate being able to talk on the phone. Every day is Christmas.
Anchor Tag: LAURIE HAS DOCUMENTED HER LIFE AND THE PROCESS OF GETTING HER COCHLEAR IMPLANT ON A BLOG THAT SHE ONE DAY HOPES TO TURN INTO A BOOK.
YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO HER BLOG ON OUR WEBSITE WBIR.COM.
Anchor Intro: AFTER A LIFETIME OF LIVING IN SILENCE AN EAST TENNESSEE WOMAN IS SPEAKING OUT ON BEHALF OF THE STATES DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING. BUT AS STYLE'S APRIL LAMB LEARNED, LAURIE PULLINS NEVER LET HER HEARING LOSS DISABLE HER.
Package:
LAURIE PULLINS WAS BORN WITH A PROFOUND HEARING LOSS.
The doctors told my parents to put me in an institution, that I would have a difficult life and that I would never learn to speak. . .
BUT HER PARENTS DIDN'T WANT THEIR DAUGHTER TO BE TRAPPED IN A WORLD OF SILENCE.
My mother was a teacher and because I was the first child, she didn't know anything else and felt like she could work with me and find a way to get me to be a part of the hearing world.
LAURIE'S PARENTS FOUND HELP FOR THEIR DAUGHTER AT OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, WHERE A PROGRAM WAS BEGINNING TO TEACH THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING HOW TO READ LIPS AND TALK.
Back when I was diagnosed when I was two, it was unconventional for people to teach the deaf to talk. . .I can remember sitting on my therapist's lap and putting my hand to her throat and trying to imitate the sounds that she was making.
LAURIE WENT TO A DEAF SCHOOL FOR KINDERGARTEN, BUT WAS THEN MOVED INTO PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
That's when things got hard. Kids would make fun of me because I talked funny and I couldn't hear them when they called out to me. They labeled me as a snob sometimes because I wasn't answering them when they talked to me.
AS A CHILD LAURIE DIDN'T LET HER HEARING LOSS LIMIT HER EXPERIENCES: SHE LEARNED TO PLAY THE PIANO AND THEN HEADED OFF TO COLLEGE WHERE SHE MET HER HUSBAND.
When I was growing up I always wanted to get married and have children. I never thought it would be possible with my disability. But I met my husband. He never saw my hearing as a disability. . .he loved me for who I was.
AFTER THE COUPLE MARRIED LAURIE PUT HER EDUCATION ON HOLD WITH A PROMISE TO HER PARENTS THAT ONE DAY SHE WOULD RETURN. WITH SCHOOL ON HOLD, LAURIE AND HER HUSBAND STARTED A FAMILY.
My children had to be my ears for me at a very young age. I taught them how to talk for me. They had to learn their manners and be an advocate for me on the phone.
ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO LAURIE WENT TO WORK AT THE ALCOA TENN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION, A JOB THAT POSED MANY CHALLENGES.
10 years ago I was a very scared person because I had never worked with the public. I was not comfortable working with the public, but I needed a job where I could work during the day and be with my children at night.
LAURIE SAYS SHE READ LIPS AND HAD TO ASK CUSTOMERS TO SPEAK UP, BUT HER CO-WORKERS HELPED WHEN THEY COULD AND THE EXPERIENCE RENEWED HER DESIRE TO GET A DEGREE IN ACCOUNTING. SO, SHE ENROLLED IN AN ON-LINE CLASS AT PELLISSIPPI STATE.
I did so well with my first class that I took another class. I did well in that class so I took two classes the next semester and to make a long story short I decided to go to school full time.
LAURIE DECIDED TO GO TO THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE WHERE SHE FOUND SUPPORT THAT DIDN'T EXSIST THE FIRST TIME PURSUING A DEGREE.
When I enrolled at the University of Tennessee the disabilities office contacted me I didn't even know there was a disabilities office. They said, "We would like to come to your classes and help you" and I said "Well, I don't sign. I don't need an interpreter. They said, "We can provide a note taker for you. . ."
TRANSCRIBERS WENT TO CLASS WITH LAURIE AND IN TWO YEARS SHE GRADUATED AND BEGAN WORKING AS AN ACCOUNTANT, BUT THE CHANGES IN HER LIFE KEPT COMING. IN 2005 LAURIE LEARNED THAT SHE WAS LOSING WHAT LITTLE HEARING SHE HAD.
I always knew that cochlear implants were out there. I was waiting until I had nothing left before I would consider it.
COCHLEAR IMPLANTS ARE AN ELECTRONIC HEARING DEVICED THAT IS IMPLANTED SURGICALLY IMPLANTED. IN AUGUST OF 2005 LAURIE UNDERWENT SURGERY TO PLACE HER FIRST COCHLEAR IMPLANT.
My hearing aids did enough to communicate with other people to hear the sounds I thought I needed to hear. But there were many sounds that I missed. I never got to hear the birds sing. I never got to hear my kids when they were talking. I never got to hear my kids call out to me when they needed something. . .
BUT THE DAY THAT LAURIE HAD HER IMPLANT ACTIVATED ALL OF THAT CHANGED.
I heard the dog's toenails on the floor. I could hear music playing and I could hear a bird. When I went out to lunch with my friend I could hear the coffee maker making noise, I could hear the blinker in my car. I talked to my husband on the phone for the first time that night. It was instant, but it wasn't perfect, but it was better than what I had before.
THE GIFT OF SOUND WASN'T JUST A JOY FOR HER IT WAS ALSO A JOY FOR HER FAMILY.
The first week I was activated, my son came home from school, from college, because he wanted to talk to me. He wanted me to hear his voice when he came home. And I can remember him running up the stairs with a box in his hand. He said, "Mom I have a present for you." When I opened it up it was an iPod. . . all four of my children had bought it together, because for the first time I could hear all the sounds coming together in music.
EARLIER THIS YEAR LAURIE DECIDED TO IMPLANT HER OTHER EAR.
Just like if you listen to the radio or when you watch TV if you have a bad speaker it's not going to sound good to you. I had one good speaker with my cochlear implant and I had a bad speaker with my hearing aid. I wanted two good speakers.
LAURIE ENJOYS BEING ABLE TO HEAR THE THINGS GOING ON AROUND HER, BUT IT HAS CAUSED HER TO LOOK BACK AND FOCUS ON OTHERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH A HEARING LOSS.
I feel like this is a new chapter in my life and I want to pay it forward to those who have not always had the support system that I have had. I want to be a source of encouragement, a source of information. . .
IN APRIL LAURIE WAS APPOINTED TO THE TENNESSEE COUNCIL FOR THE DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING.
I am the only deaf person on the council that has been deaf from birth. There are some on the council that work with the hard of hearing, there are some who have lost their hearing later in life.
I truly believe that God gives people gifts and I am where I am today because other people have shared their gifts.
I am very appreciative of what I have. . .I appreciate hearing the birds sing, I appreciate being able to talk on the phone. Every day is Christmas.
Anchor Tag: LAURIE HAS DOCUMENTED HER LIFE AND THE PROCESS OF GETTING HER COCHLEAR IMPLANT ON A BLOG THAT SHE ONE DAY HOPES TO TURN INTO A BOOK.
YOU CAN FIND A LINK TO HER BLOG ON OUR WEBSITE WBIR.COM.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Wedding Vows
Just a few days ago I got a lump in my throat (the tears came after the ceremony) as Jason and Jessica recited their wedding vows, pledging their love and commitment to each other before God, family, and friends. And I could hear them. . .every single word. Because of the miracle of technology. . .
Thirty one years ago today, I married my best friend and true love. Thirty one years ago I spent hours carefully practicing, memorizing, and reciting our wedding vows in front of a mirror and with my mother. I did not want to miss a single word or stumble when it was time to say them during the ceremony. I was afraid I would not be able hear the ministers say them to me or say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Thirty one years ago Steve and I promised to love and to cherish one another forever. . .
And I hold those vows in my heart. . .every single day. . .
Thirty one years ago today, I married my best friend and true love. Thirty one years ago I spent hours carefully practicing, memorizing, and reciting our wedding vows in front of a mirror and with my mother. I did not want to miss a single word or stumble when it was time to say them during the ceremony. I was afraid I would not be able hear the ministers say them to me or say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Thirty one years ago Steve and I promised to love and to cherish one another forever. . .
And I hold those vows in my heart. . .every single day. . .
Happy Anniversary, Steve! I love you!
Monday, November 12, 2007
TV Interview
Tomorrow (November 13th) starting at 3:55 p.m. on Channel 10, I will be gracing the TV sets in the Knoxville, TN viewing area for the 4 o'clock Style show on the news. WBIR-TV contacted me for an interview after seeing my article in the paper in August and wanted to do a segment on women overcoming disabilities and hardship. I struggled with whether or not I should tell anyone about the show but I knew some people would feel bad if they missed it. So, I thought you would be interested. I have no idea how the interview turned out but the reporter assured me that she would do her best! It is a story about my hearing loss journey and how I hope to help others to succeed.
If you are unable to see it or live out of the area, you can view the video here after it airs. Enjoy!
If you are unable to see it or live out of the area, you can view the video here after it airs. Enjoy!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Meet Our New "Daughter" Jessica!
Sunrise, Sunset. . .(from Fiddler on the Roof)
Is this the little girl she carried?
Is this my little boy at play?
I don't remember growing older?
When did they?. . .
When did she get to be a beauty?
Is this my little boy at play?I don't remember growing older?When did they?. . .
When did she get to be a beauty?
When did he grow to be so tall?
Sunrise, Sunset. Sunrise, Sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears. . .
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears. . .
What words of wisdom can I give them?
How can I help to ease their way?
Now they must learn from one another
Day by day. . .
How can I help to ease their way?
Now they must learn from one another
Day by day. . .
They look so natural together
Just like two newlyweds should be
Is there a canopy in store for me?
Newlyweds Jessica and Jason!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying
Prayer time is a very sacred and special time in church, in small groups, in Bible Study, and at home. Prayer is the vessel that drives the church. Lately, praying with my church family and friends has taken on a new dimension. I almost hesitate to share it here because it is so personal. But, as I continue to learn to hear with my CI's, prayer time in a group and home setting has become more meaningful and special.
For years, I usually felt left out when it came time to pray because I couldn't see the lips of the person praying. Or I sat too far away. Unless I could see or read the person’s lips that was praying, I usually prayed alone. It’s hard to pray alone when you feel "forgotten." I'm sure I wasn't the only one in a church environment that needed to read lips or see a face during prayer time.
And, even if I could read the person’s lips that was speaking, I was the only one in the room with her eyes open. By doing that, I felt like I was always invading someone’s personal space and privacy during prayer time. I could see their facial expression or their tears running down their faces. And, I knew whose hands went up during an "invitation." Often times a family member or friend would sit next to me and silently mouth or tell me what was being prayed.
And many times I would get frustrated because people in church or Bible Study would not be aware that I needed to see their faces. They would turn away from my view unintentionally or bow their heads where I couldn't "see" them. I’ve been to churches where the pastor would turn and have his back to the congregation and face the altar during prayer time. Once they realized that I needed to “see” them, they would usually be willing to accomodate and change their position for me. Especially Pastor Steve at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Ohio. He was extra sensitive to my need to hear and understand him during this special time. He would actually come down to the aisle near the front of the church and make eye contact with me as he prayed. That meant a lot because I knew he cared. I always appreciated that because he never “forgot” and knew when I was in the congregation. Other pastors or leaders would often forget and turn away. And I would wait until I heard the familiar words to “The Lord’s Prayer” to know that prayer time was over.
Over the last few months, prayer time in a group setting has become very emotional for me. Because I can “hear” the people praying. I don't need to read lips all the time anymore. I can hear AND understand Pastor Jeff at Sycamore Tree UMC when he prays. He has wonderful prayers and speaks very clearly and at a nice pace. I've listened to his prayers and read his lips for many years so his style and voice is familiar to me. Two years ago I had to "read" every word he spoke. Today, I can understand his prayers without the need to read his lips. And I am able to focus and feel the spirit moving within the church body as he prays. Same thing in Bible Study. And in church meetings.
It helps if I am familiar with a person's voice. Listening without reading lips is hard work and sometimes I feel the need to take a break and "look" again. Part of it is habit because I've read lips for most of my life! I usually "look" when someone is speaking softly or too fast because I don't want to miss anything. It doesn't take long for the tears to start welling up in my eyes because this is a whole new experience. . . to actually feel and touch the spirit within the walls of the church and "hear God."
The words to the following song keeps coming to my mind so I'll close this entry with the lyrics. These words were written by a man named Ken Medema. And he is blind. But he can hear the people praying because he can't see them. . .
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place;
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us grace!
Lord, thank you. I can hear your people praying!
For years, I usually felt left out when it came time to pray because I couldn't see the lips of the person praying. Or I sat too far away. Unless I could see or read the person’s lips that was praying, I usually prayed alone. It’s hard to pray alone when you feel "forgotten." I'm sure I wasn't the only one in a church environment that needed to read lips or see a face during prayer time.
And, even if I could read the person’s lips that was speaking, I was the only one in the room with her eyes open. By doing that, I felt like I was always invading someone’s personal space and privacy during prayer time. I could see their facial expression or their tears running down their faces. And, I knew whose hands went up during an "invitation." Often times a family member or friend would sit next to me and silently mouth or tell me what was being prayed.
And many times I would get frustrated because people in church or Bible Study would not be aware that I needed to see their faces. They would turn away from my view unintentionally or bow their heads where I couldn't "see" them. I’ve been to churches where the pastor would turn and have his back to the congregation and face the altar during prayer time. Once they realized that I needed to “see” them, they would usually be willing to accomodate and change their position for me. Especially Pastor Steve at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Ohio. He was extra sensitive to my need to hear and understand him during this special time. He would actually come down to the aisle near the front of the church and make eye contact with me as he prayed. That meant a lot because I knew he cared. I always appreciated that because he never “forgot” and knew when I was in the congregation. Other pastors or leaders would often forget and turn away. And I would wait until I heard the familiar words to “The Lord’s Prayer” to know that prayer time was over.
Over the last few months, prayer time in a group setting has become very emotional for me. Because I can “hear” the people praying. I don't need to read lips all the time anymore. I can hear AND understand Pastor Jeff at Sycamore Tree UMC when he prays. He has wonderful prayers and speaks very clearly and at a nice pace. I've listened to his prayers and read his lips for many years so his style and voice is familiar to me. Two years ago I had to "read" every word he spoke. Today, I can understand his prayers without the need to read his lips. And I am able to focus and feel the spirit moving within the church body as he prays. Same thing in Bible Study. And in church meetings.
It helps if I am familiar with a person's voice. Listening without reading lips is hard work and sometimes I feel the need to take a break and "look" again. Part of it is habit because I've read lips for most of my life! I usually "look" when someone is speaking softly or too fast because I don't want to miss anything. It doesn't take long for the tears to start welling up in my eyes because this is a whole new experience. . . to actually feel and touch the spirit within the walls of the church and "hear God."
The words to the following song keeps coming to my mind so I'll close this entry with the lyrics. These words were written by a man named Ken Medema. And he is blind. But he can hear the people praying because he can't see them. . .
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Lord, send your Spirit in this place;
Lord, listen to your children praying,
Send us love, send us power, send us grace!
Lord, thank you. I can hear your people praying!
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
The Internet Community
Just a quick post here to let my readers know that I am still here. Just can't sit down long enough to write a post but I have some in the "pending" file.
But, I wanted to share with you all that Michael Chorost, who wrote "ReBuilt" about his cochlear implant journey, has FINALLY been approved for his bilateral implant and will be having his surgery on December 17th. I cannot tell you how excited I am for him because this has been a long battle for him. He made the announcement on his website this week. I've known about this for awhile because he sent me an email as soon as he found out. It is very hard to keep a secret like this but I couldn't say anything because of the insurance issue. Aetna, a major insurance company, has just changed their policy to include bilateral cochlear implants. This is HUGE. Now anyone with Aetna can have a chance to hear with two ears instead of one. I thought I was going to have to wait until after Michael had the surgery to tell anyone about his victory. We both have our insurance with Aetna but for some reason I was approved for bilateral implants (a year ago this month) while he had to fight for his. Let's just say that he had a little "help" with his case and I'll stop there. I can't wait for his next book to come out about being "Rebuilt" again!
I've said this before and will say it again. . .I've finally "found" my group through the Internet and my local HLAA group. What I mean by this is that for years, I didn't fit in the deaf world OR the hearing world. Since I started my CI journey, I've discovered another "world" out there of people just like me with a severe hearing loss, who grew up oral, never learning to sign, and struggled for our place in this world. People like Michael, Jennifer, Susan, Sam, Mike, Joyce, Norm, Dixie. . .just to name a few. We all have a story with a common thread. . . and I am grateful to know these special people and be a small part of their lives. Together we can "pave" the way for future generations, especially children, who struggle with hearing loss. Thank you, my friends, for all you do.
But, I wanted to share with you all that Michael Chorost, who wrote "ReBuilt" about his cochlear implant journey, has FINALLY been approved for his bilateral implant and will be having his surgery on December 17th. I cannot tell you how excited I am for him because this has been a long battle for him. He made the announcement on his website this week. I've known about this for awhile because he sent me an email as soon as he found out. It is very hard to keep a secret like this but I couldn't say anything because of the insurance issue. Aetna, a major insurance company, has just changed their policy to include bilateral cochlear implants. This is HUGE. Now anyone with Aetna can have a chance to hear with two ears instead of one. I thought I was going to have to wait until after Michael had the surgery to tell anyone about his victory. We both have our insurance with Aetna but for some reason I was approved for bilateral implants (a year ago this month) while he had to fight for his. Let's just say that he had a little "help" with his case and I'll stop there. I can't wait for his next book to come out about being "Rebuilt" again!
I've said this before and will say it again. . .I've finally "found" my group through the Internet and my local HLAA group. What I mean by this is that for years, I didn't fit in the deaf world OR the hearing world. Since I started my CI journey, I've discovered another "world" out there of people just like me with a severe hearing loss, who grew up oral, never learning to sign, and struggled for our place in this world. People like Michael, Jennifer, Susan, Sam, Mike, Joyce, Norm, Dixie. . .just to name a few. We all have a story with a common thread. . . and I am grateful to know these special people and be a small part of their lives. Together we can "pave" the way for future generations, especially children, who struggle with hearing loss. Thank you, my friends, for all you do.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
A New Bilateral Map
Last week, on my day off (Columbus Day), I went to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville to have my processors mapped by a new audiologist. Now that I have settled in with my bilateral cochlear implants, I am free to choose the audiologist for my mapping and maintenance service. I know I've said this before but the most important relationship that a cochlear implant patient has is not just with their doctor who performs the surgery but it is with their audiologist who programs the processors, provides therapy, and other ongoing maintenance. This is a lifetime relationship. There is no question that there is a shortage of audiologists that are trained to work with cochlear implant patients, especially in our area. I was not completely happy with the service that I was receiving from my doctor's audiologist (and office) and have made the decision to go elsewhere for my processor needs and therapy.
Julie, at the UT Department of Audiology, is my new audiologist and she is wonderful! She normally works with children but several adults in our area have found their way to her and have highly recommended her. She says she enjoys working with adults because they give her feedback that the children can't. I had been trying to get an appointment with her for over two months but we could never make our schedules work because we are both so busy. My session with her and her graduate student was over two hours and I was exhausted by the time we were finished. I'm used to one hour appointments but not 2 1/2! But, Julie worked her magic on my processors, made some suggestions based on what I had shared with her, changed some settings and parameters, and fixed some mistakes that my previous audiologist had made. She also gave me a new program to try at a faster rate. (But I am not crazy about it and will probably go back to my original rate.)
What was interesting was that she could not get an NRT (neural response telemetry) for my left ear, which is the implant I received two years ago. For those of you who don't know what this means, it is a test that is done to directly record neural responses. Surgeons use this test to make sure the implant is working properly and is effectively stimulating the hearing nerve fibers in the inner ear. It a quick test and is done in a matter of minutes.
Audiologists use this test, also, when mapping children because it sets up the progamming parameters automatically and speeds up the mapping process. (Children cannot always sit still like adults can.) During a NRT test, an electrical signal is sent to the implant electrode and the activity in the hearing nerve is recorded. All of the 22 electrodes of the cochlear implant can be measured if required. This NRT test can be performed during the cochlear implant surgery and at the follow-up appointments any time after surgery.
Because of some previous errors in the programming of my left processor, the map could not be read on Julie's computer, even though she could see the rest of the information (serial number of processor, map numbers, my name, etc.) When she started the NRT test on the first electrode, it sounded like a telephone ringing in my ear. Then, my eye and face started twitching involuntarily and got worse in a matter of seconds. I told her my face was shaking and acting funny and she stopped the test right away. Then she moved to a different electrode. Same thing. We did this with all of the electrodes and still could not get a reading and my face was doing strange things every time! The test was affecting my facial nerve. I've heard of this happening to other CI patients when they get their processors mapped but have never experienced it firsthand. It felt like I had a paralyzed face that was out of control and it was giving me a headache! Luckily, I had my previous map with me on paper (I get copies after every session) so she put the parameters in the computer manually. Then she adjusted them and continued with our mapping session.
My right ear is my newest implant and I favor it. It was my favorite ear when I had hearing aids, too. I had a NRT performed on it back in March and got an excellent reading on it a week after my activation on that side. Julie wondered that maybe we could not get a NRT reading on my left ear because it is not my favorite side. So, the next time I see her, we are going to try a NRT test on my right ear (we ran out of time to do it.)
One of the things Julie did differently was that after she "tweaked" my map a little bit, she held a magazine over her lips (so I couldn't read them) and read a paragraph out loud to me. Then she made some more adjustments and read the same paragraph again. I had to tell her which one sounded better. Kind of like an eye test for glasses. We repeated the process several times until we settled on a map that sounded right to me. I even got more words each time she reread the paragraphs.
After a few days, I could tell a huge difference with how I was hearing and what I was hearing. It took awhile to get used to the new settings. They were so different that I've had to turn down the sensitivity and volume on BOTH processors. I'm hearing things more clearly and distinctly and am picking up more words and sentences on the radio and phone. I also feel more balanced. I feel like I got new ears like a person gets new glasses! My bird clock sounds better and so do the birds! Their songs are different, too. I don't know if it is because of the cooler weather or if it is because the crickets are quiet again. I am sitting outside as I write this and can hear the wind in the trees - it is such a soothing sound.
My previous audiologist had told me that I would not need another map for at least a year but after four months, I knew things were changing and not sounding quite right. I've taken charge of my hearing health from the very beginning and knew what to expect and what to look for. If I had not done my research or found the support groups that I have with other cochlear implant patients, I would have been lost. Sadly, that is not the case with everyone and there are those who are disappointed with their implants because they can't hear right or have not received the proper care in their mapping sessions.
Cochlear implant surgeries are not money makers for surgeons or their hospitals. This is hard to believe because the surgery and equipment is so expensive (over $70,000 per ear). The surgeons and clinics get their income from their patients' follow up care appointments through their audiologists. So, it is very important for surgeons to have competent audiologists on staff who are trained to work with cochlear implants. The decision made by patients to have cochlear implant surgery is not made lightly. CI patients have a right to proper and adequate professional care afterwards because, after all, it is a lifetime relationship.
Julie told me that cochlear implant patients should be mapped at least every three months during the first year. So, I will see her again in January, after the Christmas holidays.
But, every day is Christmas for me because I can hear!
Julie, at the UT Department of Audiology, is my new audiologist and she is wonderful! She normally works with children but several adults in our area have found their way to her and have highly recommended her. She says she enjoys working with adults because they give her feedback that the children can't. I had been trying to get an appointment with her for over two months but we could never make our schedules work because we are both so busy. My session with her and her graduate student was over two hours and I was exhausted by the time we were finished. I'm used to one hour appointments but not 2 1/2! But, Julie worked her magic on my processors, made some suggestions based on what I had shared with her, changed some settings and parameters, and fixed some mistakes that my previous audiologist had made. She also gave me a new program to try at a faster rate. (But I am not crazy about it and will probably go back to my original rate.)
What was interesting was that she could not get an NRT (neural response telemetry) for my left ear, which is the implant I received two years ago. For those of you who don't know what this means, it is a test that is done to directly record neural responses. Surgeons use this test to make sure the implant is working properly and is effectively stimulating the hearing nerve fibers in the inner ear. It a quick test and is done in a matter of minutes.
Audiologists use this test, also, when mapping children because it sets up the progamming parameters automatically and speeds up the mapping process. (Children cannot always sit still like adults can.) During a NRT test, an electrical signal is sent to the implant electrode and the activity in the hearing nerve is recorded. All of the 22 electrodes of the cochlear implant can be measured if required. This NRT test can be performed during the cochlear implant surgery and at the follow-up appointments any time after surgery.
Because of some previous errors in the programming of my left processor, the map could not be read on Julie's computer, even though she could see the rest of the information (serial number of processor, map numbers, my name, etc.) When she started the NRT test on the first electrode, it sounded like a telephone ringing in my ear. Then, my eye and face started twitching involuntarily and got worse in a matter of seconds. I told her my face was shaking and acting funny and she stopped the test right away. Then she moved to a different electrode. Same thing. We did this with all of the electrodes and still could not get a reading and my face was doing strange things every time! The test was affecting my facial nerve. I've heard of this happening to other CI patients when they get their processors mapped but have never experienced it firsthand. It felt like I had a paralyzed face that was out of control and it was giving me a headache! Luckily, I had my previous map with me on paper (I get copies after every session) so she put the parameters in the computer manually. Then she adjusted them and continued with our mapping session.
My right ear is my newest implant and I favor it. It was my favorite ear when I had hearing aids, too. I had a NRT performed on it back in March and got an excellent reading on it a week after my activation on that side. Julie wondered that maybe we could not get a NRT reading on my left ear because it is not my favorite side. So, the next time I see her, we are going to try a NRT test on my right ear (we ran out of time to do it.)
One of the things Julie did differently was that after she "tweaked" my map a little bit, she held a magazine over her lips (so I couldn't read them) and read a paragraph out loud to me. Then she made some more adjustments and read the same paragraph again. I had to tell her which one sounded better. Kind of like an eye test for glasses. We repeated the process several times until we settled on a map that sounded right to me. I even got more words each time she reread the paragraphs.
After a few days, I could tell a huge difference with how I was hearing and what I was hearing. It took awhile to get used to the new settings. They were so different that I've had to turn down the sensitivity and volume on BOTH processors. I'm hearing things more clearly and distinctly and am picking up more words and sentences on the radio and phone. I also feel more balanced. I feel like I got new ears like a person gets new glasses! My bird clock sounds better and so do the birds! Their songs are different, too. I don't know if it is because of the cooler weather or if it is because the crickets are quiet again. I am sitting outside as I write this and can hear the wind in the trees - it is such a soothing sound.
My previous audiologist had told me that I would not need another map for at least a year but after four months, I knew things were changing and not sounding quite right. I've taken charge of my hearing health from the very beginning and knew what to expect and what to look for. If I had not done my research or found the support groups that I have with other cochlear implant patients, I would have been lost. Sadly, that is not the case with everyone and there are those who are disappointed with their implants because they can't hear right or have not received the proper care in their mapping sessions.
Cochlear implant surgeries are not money makers for surgeons or their hospitals. This is hard to believe because the surgery and equipment is so expensive (over $70,000 per ear). The surgeons and clinics get their income from their patients' follow up care appointments through their audiologists. So, it is very important for surgeons to have competent audiologists on staff who are trained to work with cochlear implants. The decision made by patients to have cochlear implant surgery is not made lightly. CI patients have a right to proper and adequate professional care afterwards because, after all, it is a lifetime relationship.
Julie told me that cochlear implant patients should be mapped at least every three months during the first year. So, I will see her again in January, after the Christmas holidays.
But, every day is Christmas for me because I can hear!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria
Steve and I are back in the states from our trip but I have not felt well since our return. But, here are some pictures from the Schonbrunn Palace that we visited last Friday on our last day in Vienna. Enjoy!
Steve "introducing" the palace
Isn't this gorgeous???
One of many flower beds
I wonder how long it takes to trim these trees???
"Palmenhause" greenhouse at Schonbrunn Palace
One of many flower beds
I wonder how long it takes to trim these trees???
"Palmenhause" greenhouse at Schonbrunn Palace
Monday, October 01, 2007
Sigulda, Latvia
On Sunday, Kristine (our “Latvian” daughter), Ziggy (her brother), and I went to Sigulda for the afternoon after we got done with church. Ivo was our driver. The traffic was congested all the way there and Kristine and I just about got carsick with Ivo’s driving! Sigulda is about an hour from Riga and is another popular spot for the locals and tourists. This town celebrated their 800th anniversary this year! The fall colors were absolutely gorgeous and the weather was perfect and fall-like with temperatures in the 70’s. (Steve did not join us because he was entertaining our U.S. clients that came the day before and had meetings in the afternoon.)
We stopped on the bridge at the Gauja River first. The Gauja River is one of the most dangerous rivers in Latvia because of its unpredictable currents, twists, and turns. But it is also beautiful.
We stopped on the bridge at the Gauja River first. The Gauja River is one of the most dangerous rivers in Latvia because of its unpredictable currents, twists, and turns. But it is also beautiful.
I thought this sign was particularly funny – it was advertising a place where you could ride a guardrail!
Our next stop was the ruins of a castle. The story here is that during the Russian Revolution and Occupation, the Latvian soldiers took refuge here. But the Russian soldiers could not reach them because of the steep hills. Kristine, Ziggy, Ivo, and I climbed to the top of the tower on a very narrow stairway. Ziggy said he was proud of me because I climbed the tower faster than the Faithful Men wives did last year when they visited! (The Faithful Men is a men’s choir from our church and they come to Latvia every two years to sing and share their ministry with the people here.)
Tree Stump
Church (The Faithful Men sang here)
Castle Ruins
Castle Tower
View from Tower
Kristine enjoying view
Wall Imitation!
After we left Sigulda, we stopped to eat at a small café. I had solyanka soup, which is one of my favorite soups to eat here (I have yet to find a recipe for it), with dark bread, and a vanilla milkshake. Kristine speaks Latvian and English fluently so she is a great translator to have when we go places. I don’t feel like I’m missing anything because she makes sure I understand what is going on.
Our afternoon went by quickly and they dropped me off at the hotel when we got back to town. I met Steve, his clients, Sergey & Irina (who work for us in our Latvia office) and we went to a “Garlic Restaurant” to celebrate a good day (we got our first agreement for a project here). Every other item on the menu had garlic in it. I had a salad with tiger shrimp and champagne, which was delicious. Riga has little cafés and restaurants all over the city and they serve the most delicious and unique foods. I told Irina that I hope we all don’t smell like garlic in the office on Monday!
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Statues around Riga, Latvia
We have had beautiful fall weather in Riga during our stay. We expected to come to cold and rainy weather and brought our coats and umbrellas with us (quite a change from the 90's in Tennessee!) Anyway, as we walked around the city, we saw many different statues and artwork. I thought I would share some pictures.
Figurines on top of Opera House
Fountain in front Opera House
Closeup of Opera House Fountain
Three Atlantis' holding up Earth on top of building in Old Riga
Face on building in Old Riga
Statue of Dancers in Park
Woman in flowers
Horse Statue in flower bed
Statue of Man Sitting
Couple in Park with dog
I continue to enjoy hearing the sounds of this wonderful city with two ears. When I first came to Latvia in 2004, I had two hearing aids. When I made my second trip in January of this ear, I only had one CI. And this time I'm here with two CI's and am amazed each time I hear something different. I can hear cars and trains coming behind me and they don't catch me by surprise like they have in the past. I hear the flutter of the wings of the birds when they fly from me as I approach them. I can hear the musicians in the streets playing their saxophones, guitars, accordians, and other instruments. And the "clink" of my coins as I pay for my goods in the stores. The language is difficult to understand and the Latvians seem to talk so fast. But, thankfully, they do understand English and I am able to communicate in a basic sort of way.
"Little House on the Prairie!"
(To Be Continued. . . )
Walking around Riga
Opera House
Flower in front of Opera House
Laurie in park
View of Riga Hotel from park
Freedom Monument (side view) from the park
French Embassy (the U.S. Embassy is a few doors down but is not as pretty!)
Latvijas Krajbanka Building
Gunpowder Tower
Mural on Restaurant in Old Riga
Side Street in Old Riga (they all look like this!)
Blackheads House in Square
Latvian Dancers getting ready to dance
Latvian Mittens and Gloves in Shop
Flowers!
The Latvians LOVE their flowers. Rain or shine, you can always find a vendor on the street selling flowers. Tradition is that you should always buy or give someone an odd number of flowers unless you are buying for a funeral!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
