Prepping for an upgrade

We are now prepping in high gear for Brook's upgrade to the N6 Cochlear implant processors. I suppose being out of the loop, not reading blogs like I used to, not reading the group messages, etc. I am just now getting the word from Cochlear that they do not bill my insurance company. That will be up to me to seek reimbursement for any durable medical expense. We will be required to pay the $7275.00 (I am aware they cost over $9,000.00 each but we will do a trade in to receive a discount) upfront for each ear. We are taking it one ear at a time at this point! We have some local friends doing a benefit for us which is scheduled for January 25, and we are very excited. We have a really good start and I thought it would help our friends and family keep up with the process/progress with a visual so each time we add to the "pot", I'll put up a new chart and carry it right through the upgrade process. It's sad that these things cost this much but a blessing that she hasn't got injured or had a failure to require surgery again. Insurance would be billed directly then and we wouldn't have such an upfront expense but we are excited for her, she's been needing an upgrade for years now and this will only make us work harder to get it for her! We aren't looking at it as a set back but a push forward. We've been praying about it, so we encourage all of you to keep praying for her, HE can and will make it happen. We're claiming this one!

Your Favorite Hearing Professional Contest

My kids used to use Rayovac hearing aid batteries all the time when they wore hearing aids. And now Rayovac is giving something back to the hearing loss world. You can enter your favorite hearing loss professional in their contest where 5 winners will receive $500 in their name as donation to their favorite hearing care, not-for-profit charity. The BIG winner will receive the same donation made in their name at $1000 and be named National Hearing Professional of the Year 2011. You need to tell Rayovac how this professional has impacted your life by September 30, 2011. Here's more from Rayovac.

"We want to hear inspirational stories about what your hearing professional has done for you."

“We’re proud to honor and recognize these professionals who truly represent the best of the best in hearing health,” said Ann Rule, Senior Brand Manager for Rayovac Hearing Aid Batteries. “The Hearing Professional of the Year award shines a spotlight on the incredible work hearing professionals perform on a daily basis. The program is about recognizing those hearing professionals that are contributing on many different levels, professionally and personally, to the advancement of hearing health,” added Rule.

Click here to enter your favorite professional

or

Click here to enter and also see coupons on their Facebook page



GOOD LUCK!!!

I'm trusting

5 hrs...that's how long it took us to get finished with an annual appointment Gage has at a hospital clinic an hour and a half away. I'll be honest, I suffered complete anxiety over this from the beginning. I knew it took us 4 hrs last year so the waiting was expected. If you have not read last year's story He Had No Legs(Click Here) because my child did amaze me while we were there, so there are rewards behind life's inconveniences.

I prayed before we left, and realized that I had to trust the Lord more, and my kids too. I always worry my kids will say something inappropriate (as many parents do) when you go to a clinic full of special children. I realized from our own experiences that it's not the children's comments that are rude, out of line or shocking...it's the parents' reactions when their child DOES ask or say something that is usually quite age-appropriate. So, I knew I wouldn't be one of THOSE people and God would give the words if my kids did speak out loud about someone's physical appearance. I didn't harp or threaten the kids this time, I only asked that they save their questions for the ride home, and play with the children as they would anyone else...AND THEY DID. The young man from my previous story was there, and Brook had not met him last year.

And then she walked in. The most beautiful sight ever. She was pulling her bag of supplies behind her and I've never been so glad to someone in my life. It was "Sue Sue"!!!!!!!!! "Sue Sue" is a lady who volunteers at the hospital and is wonderful. For almost 3 hours, she (and her big bag of art supplies) entertained the children. Many kids were older but the handful of smaller ones like mine were thrilled that the Art Lady showed up (she was there last year). The whole way to the hospital they kept asking me over and over and over and over and over "Mama, is she gonna be there? Is the Art Lady coming? Hmmmm, is she?"

And she came. I had to tell her as we said our goodbyes, "Thank you, you make these 4/5 hour appointments not seem so long!" So I read her name tag and I want to give a big SHOUT OUT to VSA! Apparently they are a group who specifically volunteer to share their gifts with those who have disabilities. I can not tell you how Sue Sue helped turn a potentially disastrous waiting room into bliss! And we have art!

Now back to Birmingham we go today to get four little ears tuned up. Yes, I'm a pro! I can do anything, and that includes getting both bilateral children MAPping in one appoinment. Good thing our HEAR Center are pros too! They may be having group prayer this morning before we arrive but we'll get through it, I'm trusting...

Mickey's Weather Kid

I will put up all of our pictures and stories in a separate post. Right now you can watch the uncaptioned videos of this morning's news appearance. He did great and details to come shortly. It takes a moment for the videos to start.
http://www.myfoxal.com/Global/story.asp?S=14232100

It took me f-o-r-e-v-e-r to get them to play correctly so maybe you'll have better luck than me...it could be my browser or something giving me issues. But we finally got them up, he had fun! More details to come.

http://www.myfoxal.com/global/category.asp?c=195956&autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=5650381

if that first one doesn't work....

Our visit to the radio station

Today, Gage and I travelled into the big city to pre-record an interview to be aired in September during a radio-a-thon benefiting our Children's Hospital. We will go live on-air during that show as well but today was to give them something they can play over and over throughout the day during the event.  

Somehow when I explain to people, no matter where they are from, that I live in the middle of nowhere between Peanut and Cornbread, it's like they magically know where my house is. (haha) We explained Goldenhar Syndrome as best we could. We answered some common questions and then I was asked about what it felt like as a mom to take my child back to the hospital to remove his hearing device (which he obviously loved). I got choked up, almost cried heavily but quickly redeemed myself to get through the story. I went back in time, standing in the kitchen with bags in hand, asking my child if there was anything else he wanted to hear before we left. "Do you want to hear AC/DC, a toy truck, anything else Buddy before we walk out that door?" Reading my lips intently, he said, "No. It hurts too bad." He couldn't bare to put his processor on at all the pain was so bad. So I took his CD anyway and played it all the way to the hospital. With his eyes on me the whole trip, he watched me sing his favorite songs. He watched me tell him it would all be over soon and that the pain WILL go away! And he smiled, and I knew he may never hear another sound. I assured him that Dr. W would do his best in a few months to give him sound again, but if he could not, we would find a new normal for him, for all of us. But, writing it is easier than saying it, so hopefully she got at least some of it recorded, enough to give a decent story.

Gage did well, he was a little quiet (which is unusual) but he did fantastic. He did however assure this delightful DJ Ericka that I, in no way, sounded like AC/DC when I was finished talking(now that he can hear). I told her I was a much better rapper, and he asked me to rap! LOLOLOL...Well, I then explained I didn't have Salt N Pepa to back me up or I would......ahhh kids.

Looking forward to our visit in Sept when I hope he talks more and maybe explains what HE felt and especially about our nice surprise when it was all said and done of leaving with bilaterals when replacing his infected ci a few months later. Good visit, and we are looking forward to Sunday when he is getting inducted into The Wall of Inspiration...which he was nominated for! Big stuff coming from that but we want to save it all for Sunday night so you'll have to come back for that.

Just answer the question

Just answer the question....that's what I told myself over and over yesterday as we approached air time of our 2 min. interview w/Jeh Jeh of Fox 6 News (far right). These gorgeous ladies are only a few of the Charity League Members who raise money for our HEAR Center. I have not seen the footage yet since I have no DVR, but I'll visit my sister on Sat and catch it there. All the things I wanted to say kept popping up in my head but I had to focus on Jeh Jeh and wait to see what he asked me, he gave me no hints so I could prep myself, maybe it was better that way....? Anyway, if I'd had a couple of extra minutes I would have said...

"and I wanna give a shout out to all my PEEPs and all my Facebook friends for the support, all the mamas out there writing those blogs, big whoop whoop to my girls at Deaf Village keepin' it hot and a quick shout out to the HEAR Center for keepin' it real, you all are completely off the chain!" (lol)

On to other Blakely news...

Gage had his seventh electrode shut off yesterday (all have been on his right side). Not exactly sure what's up w/that side! He's hearing fine still so we're good for now. Other than this his audiology appointment went great.

Now, for our final stop of the day, our first appt. w/an orthodontist.

The first couple of hours weren't bad, an artist was there volunteering, he had something to do...and we had to see a nutritionist, speech pathologist, social worker, dentist, which took less than five min. each. No biggie, maybe this clinic has a lot of kids come thru that need the full treatment who knows. I did get some fattening up tips though for Gage who weighs 49.8 lbs! Anyway, we waited some more then finally made our way back to see the doctor we had an appt. with...only to wait an hour and a half longer. It was almost 4 hours past our appt time when Gage leaves this enclosure and states, "Hey, I'm getting bored in here!" and when he turns to re-enter says in his most displeasing voice, "Slowest...doctor...ever!" and one minute later, the doc came in *smile*. We had already been gone 11 hrs since we left before daylight and Gage's ADHD pill was wearing off. He looked at Gage and is referring us to a specialist who deals w/lower jaw issues instead of cleft palates which is his specialty. He did give us hope that Gage might can be fixed orthodontically rather a jaw distraction but he really didn't know for sure.

Here is Gage bored, resting between an office chair and another chair that was in the patient room because he told me, "Mama, I don't sit on those cushioned benches w/that white paper on it because babies' bottoms have been on there, that's just gross!"

I have another story I will post this morning hopefully if I find the time!

The Blinker

I have now realized when major events occur in my life, odd and random things retain in my brain, bearing significance, even if I'm unsure of that importance at that very moment...it will haunt me (sometimes for days) until I figure it out. Such thing happened to me yesterday while driving on a very busy six and eight lane highway where my palms sweat as I try to navigate unfamiliar territory. Not once but twice I got behind two different vehicles w/their blinkers on. Oh no, they had no intention on turning any time soon, just those random drivers, too busy listening to their radios or engaged in their own thoughts to notice they forgot to turn off their signals after changing lanes. Now, normally this could be quite irritating, trying to guess someone's intentions...but yesterday I was reminded of a story.......happened years ago....

I was driving to a doctor's appointment, 35 miles away. As I approach a vehicle shortly after leaving my small town, I notice his blinker. He was driving an appropriate speed, I had no reason to pass and road construction prevented that option anyway. We drove this long straight highway for like 15-20 miles...his blinker on the whole time. I was younger, had no kids, little things like this irritated me. We finally pass through several, even smaller towns, and I'm relieved that my turn is coming up and my last 15 miles can be driven w/out this guy around who obviously hasn't got enough sense to turn off that stupid blinker!!!! He merges into the turning lane ahead of me...GREAT. I assume as I turn on my signal, this is the moment he'll realize his blinker has been on this whole time...nope. We turn and this "moron" (I was calling him by now) still leaves his blinker on. Now I'm just mad. I'm wondering what the heck is going on in his brain that is so important, he can't possibly realize his blinker is still on!! I'm approaching the point after we drive another 8 miles, where SOMEONE HAS TO LET HIM KNOW. He can cause a wreck for crying out loud. I decide to change lanes, pull up beside this guy and let him know his blinker has been on, FOR MILES!! But when I go to change lanes, something happens....

I realize my blinker has been on since my last turn, 8 miles back!! I laughed so hard I cried. I never once thought to check myself! I went to my doctor's appointment ashamed and embarrassed, and I've exercised more patience and understanding ever since. Yesterday, I checked to make sure my turn signals were off and politely made my way to my appointment. But couldn't get those signals out of my head.

Tomorrow I will be taking Gage to the first of his many teeth/jaw appointments. I anticipate surgeries will be scheduled, plans will be made for his jaw distraction, his dental implants and his braces. We've had a great year off, no surgeries for a solid year and who knows, we may be waiting a little while longer on this as well, I just doubt it. The jaw distraction will likely be his toughest surgery yet! Over the years we've went from doctor to doctor, expecting to have average appointments, average health checks on our seemingly so average Goldenhar Syndrome child but leaving with the disappointment of a scheduled operation instead and the news that what they see isn't so average. So, as pre-warned by our dentist, I have hopes of leaving tomorrow with some average news, nothing too unexpected. I've had to leave these offices before, unsure if I should drive forward, turn at the last minute, or just slam on the brakes...so I will drive forward with my blinker on...you know, just in case.


Wish us luck! We should be appearing on our local news Fox 6 (link here) around 8:10 am Central (Alabama) Time on Thurs, Mar 25. You can likely watch live from your computer as well at that link by going to live video?? I will be nervous, but not freaking out. They will likely be asking how our HEAR Center has helped us since it will be at a charity event to benefit them. That I can do!

Real Estate

.....or homeless shelter as she called it...that's what we played this weekend...a lot! It was so pretty (70s) up until we wake w/it pouring SNOW this morning so a good chunk of our day was spent outdoors...just the way we like it! Brook wanted to play homeless shelter among other fun filled imaginary type games. This is a good one for all you AVT moms (auditory verbal therapy) or even you homeschoolers. She and I took turns selling each other plows, I mean "houses" so we would walk around each house (aka plow) and describe what was inside so each buyer could decide which one was just right for us. Can you believe she tried to sell me a house w/3 kitchens! I passed on it, I took the one she said had 2 computers, 1 kitchen, and a balcony (I'm shocked she knew the word balcony). I asked the price and she said 150,000.00 (which was a lucky guess on her part) so I took it. I in turn sold her the one that had an upstairs and came complete w/2 bedrooms and 2 baths.

Another game we played was Chef Brook. I gave her an old pan to keep in her restaurant (bricks w/a grate on top) and she "cooked" my food to order and even repeated it back, "here's your hamburger w/ketchup and lettuce and diet coke" (which was outrageously priced).

Our other house favorite is spelling out sentences. Brook is now able to do this as seen in the video of Gage at age six at the bottom of my blog (scroll down). Her sentences are a little less complex since she's just starting out w/sentences like, "I  l-o-v-e  y-o-u  v-e-r-y  m-u-c-h" and she'll answer me back...kinda works against you though if the adults in the house want to spell out secrets (or curse words, lol).

We have mapping for Gage on Thurs. along with his first orthodontist appt. We'll likely leave w/plans for future surgeries (like most first time appointments!) My mother noticed Gage speech reading as she spoke to him while she was attempting to remove my stitches this weekend. We were in her bathroom which has an automatic fan, aka background noise to a hearing impaired kid, very impressed w/mother's skills! I did inform her we already had an appt. scheduled with the audiologist. We had an extremely rough day yesterday when I let him go w/out his ADHD medication. And I say WE because it really affects EVERYONE and if your child has EXTREME ADHD you know what I mean. It's like his body is in overdrive (hyper) and his brain has no idea how to release the energy other that quick impulsive behaviors but on his medication, his brain has time to think of better alternatives, like making a new truck. His brain has time to think things through and he has more creative outlets! But yesterday he was literally about to jump out of his own skin! We were sure to take our meds today! School starts back tomorrow after our spring break, woohoo!

And finally, we are still scheduled to stop by Thurs and do a quick segment on the local morning news about this charity event which will benefit our HEAR Center where my kids receive audiology. Can you photoshop live tv? haha.

Cochlear's Hearing Heroes

I awoke this morning at 4:30 (not unusual since I go to bed before dark as my friends would say-not entirely true, I patiently wait on the sun to go down) and I walk past the computer, flip it on as I head towards the bathroom to dress for the day, throw clothes in the washer, grab a cup of coffee, and return to computer where I truly begin my day! Sometimes it's the most rewarding part of my day, when very few "thank yous" are heard after I've washed people's clothes, folded them, cook people food, did their dishes...at least at my computer, I'm know I'm doing good for someone, and appreciated for it. When I see someone brag about something they read from Deaf Village, or the Circle News , I know I was lucky enough to have contributed a little something.

As I sat this morning ready to read/moderate the blog entries for DV, I noticed an email from Cochlear. It was to congratulate me on being one of the nominees of their "Hearing Heroes". At first I figured it was thanking me for nominating Rachel Chaikof, the mastermind behind creating DV. I nominated her last year because of her contributions and devotion to the hearing loss world, raising lots of ca$h over the years for various organizations and for her hands on ability to share her personal experiences being a bilateral cochlear implantee, and most of all, because of her age. Most of us aren't avid volunteers in our early twenties!
But as I read further I realized it was actually congratulating me! I was chosen along with Rachel and a few others as someone's Hearing Hero. I feel like a Grammy nominee (teary eyed and all) but I do have to thank the mommy who nominated me *smile*, it really has made my day! You can vote here, but as cheesy as it sounds, I'm just honored to have my name next to those other fabulous nominees!

HANDS........

When you think of hands, what do think of first?  If you had asked me a few weeks ago, I would have told you of my mother's hands. Not her hands now, which she can wash with her favorite scented soaps and follow up with her matching lotions, but of her hands years ago, when I was a child. I'd have told you that her hands were so dry and cracked, bleeding at times from being elbow deep in denim 50 hours a week as she worked in a sewing factory all her life so she could buy her family of six groceries...only to take her dry and cracked, bleeding hands and give items back to the cashier when there still wasn't enough to cover the total bill. I'm sure her hands reached for items such as a scented lotion or something else she had hoped to splurge on since she had put in overtime for the week because I still brought home the Cocoa Pebbles or some other random and unnecessary item she allowed me get, because she wanted me to have it.

She now brings over the Cocoa Pebbles and other items my kids want, without anyone asking her to, because she doesn't want my hands to bleed. She knows I could go work full time and still raise my kids, manage appointments,  buy groceries including Cocoa Pebbles, manage the house, etc. etc. but she knows what it feels like to put stuff back, and she knows the bulk of my volunteering would have to go. She knows that all that I try to do for hearing impaired children and their families (my scented lotion) would be shelved for years, until I could afford the time again. All that hard work over the years, and her hands no longer bleed.

But now, I want to tell you about other sets of hands...

There are times in your life when you just connect with certain people for various reasons. Anyone who has had a child with special needs sometimes reaches a place in their life when they feel HANDS. Sometimes those hands come from inside the family, the community, support groups, God. Sometimes it comes from another family who knows what it's like to be unsure, scared, heart broken, devastated. Many times we parents don't even know if our children will be here the next day as their little bodies fight infections, disease, struggle to breathe and all we can do is beg for HANDS. We beg for doctors to use their HANDS to make the little hearts beat another day, we beg for family members to hold our HANDS til we hear some good news, we ask God to open his HANDS so we can place our guilt, our worries, our fears of the unknown into them so we can have the strength to sometimes do it all again the very next day. I've been blessed to feel all these HANDS at times.  And I think this is why I feel so connected to this family each time I'm around them...

I met the Simpsons a few months ago (read about that here). And as I watched them on stage, Todd belted songs that came from a place inside his soul, where only God's HANDS been. I learned how he'd fought for life as baby, as a child, and now as a young man, still going every few weeks for immune therapy, living with DiGeorge Syndrome. His mama has begged the doctors when he was little to make his heart beat another day, if I had to guess, I'd bet she's begged God too. I've been there, begging for the life of my child who was also born with a rare syndrome, hoping to walk out of a doctor's office without a surgery appointment, hoping the nurses can bring down a 104 degree temperature and get air in his lungs when he was a 7 month old fighting pneumonia, and many more times. I've felt relief when HANDS were opened, my burdens poured out, and in one of my most desperate times, I've promised to The One whose hands were open, that I would do anything, whatever He directed. And I'll bet you that Ina and Wes, Todd's parents, have done the same.

So after I met them, heard their story, felt that initial connection, I just asked if they would consider doing a charity concert for our HEAR Center. They said YES. Very excited (with my head only slightly swelling because I had just booked one our area's hottest bands!) I gave the good news to The HEAR Center. They were overjoyed and welcomed the help! I had in my head that we would make the center thousands and thousands and thousands of dollars I could not wait to do my first fundraiser. After a couple of bumps in the road and then a couple of actual road closings (the literal kind) I think I had forgot about HANDS. I found myself the day before the concert, needing HANDS to hold, and they were there. I found myself the day of, needing open HANDS to pour my anxiety into, and they were there. My biggest fear, was that we wouldn't sell all of those tickets. Snow and a hard freeze to follow that, prevented many people from going anywhere. There had been 10 people show up to the concert the night before we were told when we got there. I was worried, and everyone knew it, in fact, Ina, the HEAR Center and my friends were all fantastic at calming me down, assuring me that it will be fine. People came, because they wanted to hear Todd Simpson and Mojo Child play, people came because they wanted help the HEAR Center and people came because they wanted to support me.

I spent the first part of the concert feeling defeated because I had wanted to be able to hand over the thousands upon thousands which I knew this concert could bring, and I wasn't able to do that. I AM my own worst enemy and I know that. I finally sat down, stopped counting heads, and remembered why I was there in the first place. I took one look at Todd, and I heard my sweet MawMaw say, "God's got his HANDS on this one." And I knew He did. She made sure she told me that about my own child before she got sick and passed away. Seeing Todd on stage made me wish he was growing up with my little boy, showing him that unique is a good thing. But he can't he's already grown up. He's on stage playing and singing and doing what he loves to do, and being unique helped him get there. Many people in the crowd knew Todd was unique, because they were up dancing, singing, jammin' right along when otherwise they wouldn't...but they had no idea how unique he really is. Many had no clue that it took HANDS to get him where he is today. After every song, I gave him a HAND, because I love his music, I love the songs he sings, and I'm talking both on and off the stage.

When the show was over, it unfortunately ended when we all were hoping it never would, we all said our goodbyes, our thank yous and I walk out into the lobby where I see my circle of friends gathered and Todd is speaking to them. After they thanked him and told him how grateful they were to have been invited to watch him perform, he begins talking about how it is to have disabilities, and how important it is for him to give back. This is the "child" not the parents talking...and again I'm reminded of why I am there in the first place.

No, unfortunately we did not do the sell out show I had hoped for, I think God's HANDS showed me how to stay within His reach, ask for help when I need it, and learn, and I'm glad. Todd and his dad Wes who is part of the band Mojo Child, agreed to help us do another event in the future (maybe warm weather *smile*) and I will take everything I've learned from this event being my first ever, and we'll make it even better. I thank all those HANDS who showed up in the 12 degrees to come to this event (good thing it was inside) and we look forward to doing it again! We ended up with a good crowd, and I'm so glad we did this, and on behalf of the HEAR Center, we again Thank You! I've recommitted myself to helping those families with special needs children, even if my HANDS bleed, because I want to.

Farewell 2009

Sorry for lack of updates but an unforeseen stomach bug hit our home Christmas Day, first attacking me and then my husband (who is still suffering if you ask him, lol). I didn't even take many photos this year!!! So sad. But the kids have been great, having a blast with all their toys. Gage has been building, customizing, rebuilding, re-customizing his trucks (click on the photo in the right column of my blog to see all his creations)...

As you can see Brook got a pink guitar, some games, art sets and much more, Gage got games (video games and Battleship) and trucks he can work on and art sets as well...and Battleship is one game great for listening since you call out coordinates to sink ships, and Connect Four my kids have used during condition(ed) play during audiology for years, you hear a sound/tone and drop one in...

And as you can see Brook got some real baby toys for her dolls, I mean children when Mom and I took them to the thrift store (their choice) to spend their Christmas money.  Hope everyone has a great NEW YEAR...I'm busy promoting the CONCERT right now which I hope is a huge success and raises lots of $$ for the HEAR Center. Click here for that info. Happy 2010 Everyone!

Because....

Why would I take on a fundraiser, at Christmastime, when money is tight for almost everyone...because it's especially hard for non-profits right now...

Why would a band like Todd Simpson and Mojo Child, be willing to perform a concert and let an organization like The Children's HEAR Center gain from the proceeds...because they know that little deaf and hard of hearing kids are asking Santa for things like, cd's, ipods, drums, guitars, because they love music ...

How is it a deaf child can do this?

...because no one told her she couldn't!

and why does he like 'games' like this?

...because he loves a good challenge

If you are in AL and want to attend this charity concert to help deaf/hoh kids like mine, here's where you'll find all the information! click here They are accepting monetary donations as well and you'll find out where to send those from the link above.

Why will I be at the concert Jan 9, 2010?
...because
 by the time I spend two weeks at home w/these two kids, I'll be ready for a night out...with people over the age of 8.  *smile*

As always, thank you Children's HEAR Center for helping my deaf kids hear, thank you for giving them a voice to sing in the shower, thank you for giving them opportunities, and thank you for giving them independence. Also thank you Todd Simpson who has also overcome obstacles and learned to play instruments by ear, when his dyslexia confused print...and thank you to Wes for handing your child (Todd) that harmonica a few years ago, we are all looking forward to enjoying your music on Jan 9. And thank you Alabama Power who has always supported Children's Hospital and for gladly helping in funding for our event as well, families all around are grateful for your generosity. Finally, thank you Tom Williams Lexus who immediately agreed to help fund this event and for taking time to "talk shop" with a little 8 year old deaf child. Get your tickets now (go to Jan 9, 2010 to order), we expect them to go fast!

a few announcements.....

Okay, I have a few quick announcements to make regarding local events here in Alabama regarding hearing loss....

1.) Go read the latest on Bama Ears blog if you haven't already.

2.) Come see us at The Southern Women's Show in Birmingham Sept. 24-27. Cochlear has a booth and a couple of the volunteers and I will be "manning" the booth so stop and say hello. If you are a Cochlear volunteer and would like to work the booth please let me know.

3.) If you are in north AL and can get out to the charity golf event (Sept 26) to benefit the Children's HEAR Center, please do so! There are still sponsorships available and plenty of room for teams to sign up and play, goof around, get out of the house, whatever you want to do, all to benefit the HEAR Center. Click here for details.

I Don't Believe My Ears! featured in newsletter

If you are signed up for DRF's free e-news letter, you'll see that they put a short right up about the charity book in there. If you haven't signed up yet, please do so HERE. Look in the right hand column near the bottom and sign up today. Remember all proceeds for this book go directly to DRF. Mothers and grandmothers love books for Mother's Day by the way! If your kids are featured in this book, please remember to send out the link so your family and friends can order their copies. CLICK HERE to visit the bookstore.

Rhinestones & Wranglers Charity Event and Easter

It's time once again for the annual Rhinestones & Wranglers charity event to raise money for hearing impaired children. The Charity League has a commercial this year and apparently we are in it, we've not seen it in full yet but I've had a few people tell me they've seen it. We have been on their site for years now, I'm a fan of the organization for obvious reasons. They helped us out years ago when we needed to purchase an FM system for Gage when he was two and could barely hear w/hearing aids, they stepped in and paid for half the cost! So if you can make it out to the event, it's a worthy cause. I hope everyone had a great Easter Sunday, we sure have.

I Don't Believe My Ears!....is here!

I'm so excited, my belated birthday present arrived today, "I Don't Believe My Ears!" (a little gift for myself). So glad it came, and Rachel did a fabulous job as I've stated before, everyone's pictures turned out so crisp and clear. Of course my kids were tickled to open it and see themselves on the cover and on the inside. Thank you authors for donating these cute and funny stories for the charity DRF. And if you haven't ordered your's yet, why not? All proceeds benefit Deafness Research Foundation.

Charity News

The charity book is well under way! Pick up your copy today! The charity is DRF and you can find us on their site now:
http://www.drf.org/news/
Help us make a difference!! The book is full of color pictures and funny and adorable stories. Order today by clicking the photo of the book on my side bar or click here! And a big thank you to all the authors who donated their stories. The charity is also very appreciative.

I Don't Believe My Ears!!-book for Charity

Finally, after I've delayed everyone long enough...the time has arrived to release the charity book we started working on in Fall. Rachel did a terrific job at designing this book and I think you'll enjoy all the cute little stories in it. Authors include some of our blogger favorties like
Leah-from Say What?
Abbie-from Chronicles of a Bionic Woman
Jodi-author of Rally Caps
Kim-from Can You Hear Me?
Melissa-from Our Journey to the hearing world
Leslie
Kim L-from ASLCI
Amy and Melissa-from Auditory Verbal Parents

click here to visit the bookstore and view the book !!!

And what about the charity??? We chose DRF-Dedicated to Healthy Hearing

"Deafness Research Foundation (DRF) works to fund research to help those living with hearing loss and balance disorders, and on programs to raise awareness of potential causes to protect those at risk."

Hope you enjoy!! Now I have to run purchase my copy!!! All proceeds go to charity.

Charity

Okay, so I'm in a huge rush here but want to thank all the contributors for the charity book that Rachel C. and I have worked on. Hopefully next week we can announce the charity. Congrats to Abbie, for her success on her fundraiser, she'll be a great asset at the ALDA. And one more charity to announce at this time, introducing Dani everyone. She is working on a charity herself, she's almost reached her goal, and can do it with your help, click here for her charity page. NYC Walk4Hearing.

And I leave you with a picture of my beautiful daughter. She was left alone while I did some catching up on my emails, I thought by this age she could be trusted to eat her mac n cheese and watch "Night at the Museum" in the next room, but I was wrong. As I scrubbed her arm and hand begging for an answer, she simply stated "but Mama, I was wantin' to be a zebra". And yes, that's permanent marker.

Charity Events

Wow, thank you all so much for being so kind about our book I'm All Ears ! It was a true labor of love and it basically took me a whole book to explain my reasons for our choices as a family and to explain in full how we got to where we are and how we became who we are. Now, I also want to thank you all for the submissions for the charity book Rachel and I are putting together. We (she's doing most of the work *grin*) are hoping to have this completed and on sale by Christmas! We still have not named the charity (needs to be at least national) so we will post that when we decide.
On to other news... Abbie is raising money so she can attend the Association of Late-Deafened Adults convention known as ALDA. Abbie is a fantastic advocate for hearing loss awareness, she is a cochlear implantee (if that's the proper term, I use it all the time) and uses her fantastic writing skills to create awareness on her blog Chronicles of a Bionic Woman . So donate to send her to this convention because she uses her knowledge and spreads wisdom to many.
One other charity to mention is Karen's fundraiser that's been a long time coming...Live Love Hear in the Pennsylvania area. Karen has worked very hard on preparing this special event to raise awareness about cochlear implants.