tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29294227698880875142024-02-07T11:36:43.656+04:00Hearing HenryOur son Henry is profoundly deaf. This is our story. Our first step is enabling Henry to be hearing. And our second will be to be teaching Henry to use his hearing, to learn to listen so that one day we will be hearing Henry.Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-14918295202402852672012-02-03T13:20:00.000+04:002012-02-04T06:38:41.053+04:00My Last Post<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have now reached a special milestone- one year of hearing
for Henry. Two years ago I was about to
give birth to my second baby, and I had no idea of the journey I was about to
embark on. Adapting to life with two
children. Getting to know my little baby
boy. And learning all about deafness and
what that means. Today I have two
gorgeous children, both with their unique strengths and weaknesses. We will continue to meet challenges as they
arise, for both children as they grow older and more independent. We know we will have issues to deal with regarding
Henry’s deafness, alongside many other issues we will face being parents -
that’s life and that’s what makes it interesting. Will is way more concerned about Imogen
becoming a teenager and wanting to go out with boys than he is about Henry
growing up!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Henry is fast approaching 200 words. I am not so interested
in his word count except that it is something quantifiable, something easy to
measure. It is the more abstract things
that I am most proud of. The sociable,
little person that he has become (so different to the quiet, reserved,
frustrated little baby we used to have).
The way we have adjusted to Henry’s CI’s being part of our family
life. Auditory-Verbal Therapy techniques
have infiltrated our everyday interactions, and Imogen is as good as any of us. Henry has begun telling us when his coil
comes off, and I look forward to him taking more responsibility for his
CIs. I have developed some unusual
quirks, like forgetting that babies wake up to loud noises, I am so used to
Henry sleeping through anything. Most
days pass and we barely think about Henry’s hearing loss. Putting his CIs on in the morning is as
second nature as changing his nappy and getting him dressed. Our family and friends are great at replacing
a coil if it comes off, but I think most of them don’t think about it either.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Henry first got his CIs, they were new to all of us, so
we were constantly talking about them, and answering questions from those
around us. Now I hardly notice them, so
it sometimes surprises me when I get questions out of the blue. I welcome questions from our friends and
family, I feel touched that people are interested in Henry’s journey and love
to talk about it with them. And of
course many strangers too want to know, what is that on Henry’s head? My response varies depending on my mood, the
tone of the questions and the situation.
While I love to educate people about hearing loss- because I think the
more people understand about it, the better world Henry, and other hearing-impaired
children, will grow up in – the questions aren’t always asked in the most
friendly way - Will he be like that <i>forever?</i>
Is there anything <i>else</i> <i>wrong </i>with him? Was he <i>born</i>
like that? But I must continue to answer
with grace and poise, as my two little munchkins listen and model their
understanding and behaviour from me</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last week when I was dropping Imogen off at school, one of
the ‘tough’ boys from her class came up to Henry and said in a disparaging
tone, what is <i>that</i> on his head? I let Imogen answer, since the question was
directed at her. Trying to tie her hat
on with one hand, while simultaneously jumping up and down (as only four year
olds can!) and pointing to Henry’s CIs with the other hand, she said
flippantly, they’re Henry’s CIs- see without these he can’t hear. Oh, cool, said the other boy, and they ran
off to the playground together, with Henry chasing after them. Soon it will be Henry being asked these
questions, and I look forward to a similar offhand reply.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A year ago we still weren’t sure if Henry had any other
additional issues with development. We
just kept trying to do our best for him and knew that whatever happened it
would be okay. A year on, we think less
about issues like that, and more about the general day-to-day toddler
issues. Like not knowing whether to
laugh or cry when you present him with a lovingly made dinner and he promptly
declares “No... Bin!” But having been
through this past year has certainly taught us to take nothing for
granted. The fact that Henry can run and
kick a ball, besides being extremely cute, is something that lifts my heart every
time. It wasn’t a given that he would be
able to do that. Every achievement,
every skill he has developed, I feel thankful for. I know that many parents don’t have it as
easy as us. I never forget this, and
they have my admiration and appreciation every day. It is truly amazing the strength and courage
that can be mustered for the love of a child.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This will be my last blog post. We have been through an amazing journey this
past year, and it has been special to be able to share this journey with all of
you through my blog. I will be forever
grateful for the support that has been offered to our family from other
parents, professionals who have become friends, and our family and
friends. Thank you.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sarah, William, Imogen and Henry.<br />
<br />
Some final pictures...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovWjVQY-Rz0X0QDsYpFYCu3niwTuhipn2NYPGUBm_7ALiU3ieaKTXUrmeWs8_u4u80j3GdfBN2Kv4Q2Cv0iBPekPmhVoQ6NpS7QzSOamnIfwKmy0CHknvNbXMWyAHgOgINKkd_iHdch95/s1600/IMG-20120203-00074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjovWjVQY-Rz0X0QDsYpFYCu3niwTuhipn2NYPGUBm_7ALiU3ieaKTXUrmeWs8_u4u80j3GdfBN2Kv4Q2Cv0iBPekPmhVoQ6NpS7QzSOamnIfwKmy0CHknvNbXMWyAHgOgINKkd_iHdch95/s320/IMG-20120203-00074.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imogen with the cake she decorated for "Happy Henry's CIs Birthday"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfZo3W6XC3kIQusq5pMcQvVxX9LJnOFstGqTLDdq-7Db7uzDnQ14QZopSGKewuEKU-KOLob4NzDde0KkAOzS6ojgzT0DUh6_1sqWZR7LTaFqZHsb_QEtwjT5wfDOhapM9I2sQnxhvCq7t/s1600/IMG_0008+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRfZo3W6XC3kIQusq5pMcQvVxX9LJnOFstGqTLDdq-7Db7uzDnQ14QZopSGKewuEKU-KOLob4NzDde0KkAOzS6ojgzT0DUh6_1sqWZR7LTaFqZHsb_QEtwjT5wfDOhapM9I2sQnxhvCq7t/s320/IMG_0008+(2).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best Friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LE-yCohVzB5y2ydDZZUf-fI4RhCFUMLS4Skg7VmwQ9JgPZi3whWnuSkBEMyC_9mmg_NW2JuqAoMXWDLJLKGCDH4qYHxtwim6Bz7Ind46Xe_NQg0VdXB1VXfyYmj27pGqfgEbhSBDw7fg/s1600/IMG_2312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2LE-yCohVzB5y2ydDZZUf-fI4RhCFUMLS4Skg7VmwQ9JgPZi3whWnuSkBEMyC_9mmg_NW2JuqAoMXWDLJLKGCDH4qYHxtwim6Bz7Ind46Xe_NQg0VdXB1VXfyYmj27pGqfgEbhSBDw7fg/s320/IMG_2312.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry and his Daddy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LYugCX97lJK-MS1f741WaKJedYrNsvdNoC3C1TEi85eAunn17F4ltHTxII9L1QWCtZkZ31SlCVS0g-e5Qao6B7lJen3xJjxUYhTMll04BX8tqCJSnn2y1CfluVL07VJXOdbvaTsMtySn/s1600/IMG_0032+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LYugCX97lJK-MS1f741WaKJedYrNsvdNoC3C1TEi85eAunn17F4ltHTxII9L1QWCtZkZ31SlCVS0g-e5Qao6B7lJen3xJjxUYhTMll04BX8tqCJSnn2y1CfluVL07VJXOdbvaTsMtySn/s320/IMG_0032+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry with his friends Daisy and Atiya</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And some videos:<br />
<br />
Flashback-<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/bfqwcGTSQK0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Henry after his surgery, January 2011</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/_PRCdFEQhg0/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_PRCdFEQhg0?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_PRCdFEQhg0?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Henry hearing his first sounds, February 2011</div>
<br />
Present Day -<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/qHoOcp_zQzQ/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qHoOcp_zQzQ?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qHoOcp_zQzQ?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Henry Reading, January 2012</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-WVZJo8Y_z8/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/-WVZJo8Y_z8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-WVZJo8Y_z8?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Henry playing with his motobike, January 2012</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/RNdRmSV5OtY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Henry Drawing, February 2012</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/q8HEamJVYAM?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Henry and Imogen mucking about, Feburary 2012</div>
</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-69685963568202310882011-11-09T12:52:00.001+04:002011-11-09T12:52:29.360+04:00A look back on my journey<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Henry’s journey has been fantastic. He has gone from being profoundly deaf,
locked in his own world, unable to communicate and participate fully in our
life, to a very happy, outgoing and confident little boy. He can hear the word “biscuit” whispered in
the other room, and will throw a huge tantrum, demanding his “mama” or “dada”
listen to his needs. This ends in two
ways, a biscuit and a “thank you” from our little boy. Or a distraction by us with the promise of
something equally good- a book, bike ride or one of his cars (all of which he
will eagerly say “yes” to, nodding his head up and down and understanding
completely what we are offering). What
wonderful progress he has made.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, how has my journey tracked? I was a reluctant participant in all of
this. You know the quote “I took the
road less travelled”. That wasn’t my
choice. I wanted the road most travelled. I wanted a normal, healthy baby. I didn’t want a baby who was profoundly
deaf. Sure, I am ‘technical’, I studied
engineering at university. But I didn’t
want to learn about audiology. I was
quite happy to never know the difference between conductive hearing loss and sensorineural hearing
loss. Yes, I enjoy studying, but do I
have to learn Auditory Verbal Therapy? </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been put on a path that I wasn’t prepared for. That I didn’t choose. But you know what? I am a mother, I am Henry’s mother and that
means embracing every aspect of that. I
am privileged to be the mother of two gorgeous children, and I love all that
comes with it. Parts of the journey have
been hard. Holding Henry in my arms as
they knocked him out to commence a seven hour surgery to implant his cochlear
implants- what an enormous responsibility; as he looked up at me with his
trusting eyes, me worrying if we were doing the right thing, but sure that we
had made the best decision we could. I
feel so special to be part of Henry’s journey.
It has been Henry’s journey towards hearing and talking, but it has also
been my journey. I have learnt so much-
the technical stuff is easy, I can learn that in a night. But the important stuff, you have to
experience it, to live through it. I have
developed a greater understanding of love, acceptance, family, empathy and
resilience. Not just through my own
journey, but through other people I have been lucky enough to meet and talk to
on the way.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And you know what, I feel proud of how I got through
this. And I really do feel we are
‘through it’. Henry may not have
‘normal’ speech and language yet, but I have no doubt that he is well on the
way. I have no concerns whatsoever about his language development now. Sure there will be things to sort through in
the future, but just as part of normal everyday life.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFH6HteHSe4zoycQqWziPxZi1JOwXq1kAHJGRnVpwCxY4FJSMsI-bVJswU53IfsRSmb_pb5UjhA0uVAfwAFCa6wZGlfLlmLzHLbyzwrM1DsbJEtps1qocqdGzSSmgY_bljl39bhDKb9bm/s1600/IMG_2110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaFH6HteHSe4zoycQqWziPxZi1JOwXq1kAHJGRnVpwCxY4FJSMsI-bVJswU53IfsRSmb_pb5UjhA0uVAfwAFCa6wZGlfLlmLzHLbyzwrM1DsbJEtps1qocqdGzSSmgY_bljl39bhDKb9bm/s400/IMG_2110.JPG" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My gorgeous Henry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am constantly reminded that every day parents are faced
with the discovery that their child has hearing loss. And it’s a traumatic and troubling time, it
definitely is. Filled with uncertainty
and unknowing. But if I can offer any
comfort, it is this: I have kept my blog
for ten months now, on our journey towards getting Henry access to sound and
hoping that he would one day speak. Although
the odds are good, <i>you never know...</i>
And so I recorded our journey, the ups and downs, the exciting moments, the
difficulties. But less than one year on,
I find I have little to write about. And
I am starting to feel, <i>it’s no big deal</i>. And I know it is, of course. No parent wants to see their child faced with
the obstacles a hearing-impaired child will face. And of course, there is and always will be,
difficult times. But to parents who have
recently been re-routed to my path, the one where you have one calendar just
filled with audiology, therapy and doctors appointments, take heart. If it’s <i>only
</i>hearing loss (and I do know that for so many, it is so much more), it’s one
year of intensity, and then you will just get on with your lives. On a slightly different landscape. But it’s do-able. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For myself, I find that I have been given a new filter to
life. I can focus much more clearly on
what is important and what is peripheral.
People. Things. Experiences.
Life. Would I choose this
path? No, I wouldn’t choose to have a
deaf child. But you know what, I am
enjoying the journey. It’s
different. It’s not what I planned. But it’s rewarding. It’s special and filled with love. And we are happy.</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-70188173890269801492011-11-01T20:12:00.001+04:002011-11-01T20:12:39.051+04:00Baby Gym<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It has been a while since I have written, and I think that reflects
the fact that my life has moved away from being a mum of two children, one of
whom is deaf, to just being a mum. Who
knew ‘normal’ was so wonderful! </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was reflecting on this yesterday when I took Henry to his
weekly Baby-Gym class. When we started
in the class, Henry was the only child who couldn’t walk (the class is for
18mon- 24mon, and Henry started walking only at 18months). So activities like running around a circle
were difficult, despite Henry’s super-speed crawl! Henry had very limited vocab, so instructions
from the teacher like “okay, everyone come and get two shakers from the box,
one for you and one for mummy”, meant little to him, even if he had been able
to hear the teacher properly above the background music and other children! However I wasn’t too worried about what the
other kids were doing, and what Henry couldn’t do, I was doing the classes to
teach Henry new things and expose him to different activities, and as long as
he was progressing in his own way, and having fun, then that was all that
mattered. Each week I patiently repeat
each instruction from the teacher to Henry to ensure he has the language to go
with each activity we are doing. And
over the weeks I have seen his confidence blossom, in himself, his
understanding of what is happening and in his abilities. Before we started the class I was worried
that his CIs were going to keep falling off at inopportune times (like when he
is demonstrating swinging on the bars to the class) – I didn’t want everyone to
see him as the boy that needed these hearing aids that kept falling off- I just
wanted Henry to be another little toddler trying to balance on the beam. I needn’t have worried- his headbands keep
his CIs on so perfectly, they have only come off once, when he was being shown
how to do a backward roll and very awkwardly got stuck halfway!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yesterday in class, just over two months after we started,
he was running around with the rest of the kids, fighting over the balls and
calling out ‘mama’ when he couldn’t see where I was. At one point the teacher asked Henry if she
could help him do a handstand. He nodded
and said “yes”, it was so cute. I know
he didn’t really understand what she was asking, but he understood enough that
it was question and Henry had to answer and that then he was going to do
something with her. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Henry is an individual, with his own strengths and weaknesses,
but it is so nice to see him with other children his age and see that he is not
missing out on anything, he can do everything they can do, it’s wonderful to
see.</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-1386757112635609572011-09-11T16:29:00.000+04:002011-09-11T16:29:00.525+04:0039 words<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Age = 18 months.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Hearing Age = 7 months.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Vocab = 39 words.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For our record and reference:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul>
<li>apple</li>
<li>around</li>
<li>baby</li>
<li>ball</li>
<li>bath</li>
<li>bike</li>
<li>bird</li>
<li>book</li>
<li>bowl</li>
<li>bye</li>
<li>car</li>
<li>cat</li>
<li>cow</li>
<li>cut</li>
<li>dada</li>
<li>digger</li>
<li>dog</li>
<li>down</li>
<li>duck</li>
<li>fish</li>
<li>grandma</li>
<li>grandpa</li>
<li>helicopter (“copter”)</li>
<li>hop up</li>
<li>hot</li>
<li>mama</li>
<li>popper (what we call a juice box)</li>
<li>pull</li>
<li>push</li>
<li>shoe</li>
<li>sleep</li>
<li>sock</li>
<li>ta (thank you)</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>tractor</li>
<li><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>truck</li>
<li>yes</li>
<li>uh-oh</li>
<li>up</li>
<li>yum</li>
</ul>
The list reveals a little about Henry’s life too!<span> </span>He eats and sleeps.<span> </span>He reads books about animals.<span> </span>He pushes and pulls cars and trucks.<span> </span>And Mama drinks hot coffee!!<!--[if !supportLists]--><br />
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-17120073629993203432011-09-10T12:23:00.000+04:002011-09-09T17:01:56.017+04:00Imogen Teaching Henry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Imogen is such a good big sister, always teaching Henry new words.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here she is commentating a movie to him. Notice how half way through she gets him to say "people", the first time he has said that!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/J1f5BLgqW_A/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J1f5BLgqW_A?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J1f5BLgqW_A?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<br />
And here she is reading a photo book to Henry.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/J_YKGQL_dnw/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J_YKGQL_dnw?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" />
<param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" />
<embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J_YKGQL_dnw?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>
<br />Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-57570754603026790312011-09-09T06:44:00.000+04:002011-09-09T06:44:41.035+04:00Quiet<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
From the moment Henry wakes up in the morning, til when he
goes to bed at night, I talk;<span> </span>I
commentate, I label, I read, I play games, I sing, I do not stop talking.<span> </span>I know that to have the best chance of
developing speech and language, Henry needs to hear the language- often.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But every afternoon we go to the pool for an hour.<span> </span>I take off his CIs when we arrive at the pool
(which can’t get wet) and stop talking and it’s <i>such</i> a relief!<span> </span>I give
myself, and Henry, a break, and just enjoy the water, the quiet.<span> </span>Although, my quiet is not the same as Henry’s quiet.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Of course I wish with all my heart that Henry could hear at
the pool, but I know how lucky we are that he can hear the majority of the time
and it always makes me appreciate that a little bit more when I experience how
difficult it is communicating with him without sound.<span> </span>People say to me, oh kids don’t need to hear
at the pool, they just swim!<span> </span>But Henry
can’t swim and I’m finding it quite difficult to teach him without the benefit of
words.<span> </span>I sign ‘kick’ to him, and he
signs it back, so proud, thinking that that’s the game- like giving high five,
look, I can copy you.<span> </span>But I don’t want
him to sign it, I want him to do it!!!<span> </span>Watching
Imogen’s swim lesson yesterday, the teacher didn’t stop talking, kick your
legs, face in the water, blow bubbles; all things I need to teach Henry
somehow.<span> </span>But, you know, it’s just a
small hurdle.<span> </span>Yes, it makes it a little
bit harder, but some kids hate the water, every child needs to be taught in
their own way, in the way that suits them best.<span>
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And at the moment, I am not too focussed on the swimming
thing.<span> </span>Right now I am just letting Henry
enjoy the water, and allowing both of us to enjoy the break from my voice.</div>
Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-21973969795423328292011-08-27T11:37:00.002+04:002011-08-27T11:37:51.108+04:00School <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My daughter will start school soon, and we are busy considering the different options we have for her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we are in Dubai, we have to consider the curriculum we put her in (International, British or American) as well as a host of other factors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is an incredibly bright, confident little thing and I know she will thrive in most environments.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">About six months ago I had a discussion with Henry’s therapist about pre-school options for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Australia has some excellent pre-schools aimed specifically for deaf children learning to listen and speak and I wondered if we should start getting him enrolled in one of these.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melissa advised me that most likely Henry would be able to go to a ‘normal’ pre-school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this point Henry had not yet been implanted, seemed worlds apart from hearing children, and while I found this encouraging, I wasn’t totally convinced.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">However now, six months on, Henry is progressing beautifully with his listening and speech and I have no doubt that he, like his sister, will be able to attend and flourish, at any school we choose for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Henry’s hearing impairment, while still an important factor in any decision we make, not only about him, but about our family, is just one of the many issues that we consider.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week I hosted playgroup, attended by a diverse range of children; different nationalities, religions, backgrounds, parents, abilities, strengths, weaknesses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every child comes to us with their own personality, and is shaped by their experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amongst all these children, Henry was like every other child; unique.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His deafness is part of who he is, but it doesn’t define him.</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-11900962754617543412011-08-24T15:45:00.001+04:002011-08-24T17:13:50.965+04:00How cool is this?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Henry gets to be just like any other child, enjoying playing music with his sister.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How great are Cochlear Implants!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We are eternally greatful for the opportunities Henry has.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/XCvzmKhsrpY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-4982108705475981982011-08-20T12:37:00.000+04:002011-08-20T12:37:17.961+04:00hearinghenry business is up and running!<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Our hearinghenry business, selling products to keep hearing devices in babies and toddlers is up and running!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We have four great colours of both the hats and headbands and deliver worldwide! We have:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Pilot hats - to keep hearing aids in, and</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Headbands - to keep cochlear implants on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Please check out our website: </span><a href="http://www.hearinghenry.com/"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">www.hearinghenry.com</span></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Would love to hear your feedback!!</span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-31053116351804892512011-08-13T06:25:00.000+04:002011-08-13T06:25:52.795+04:00Twelve and Six Months On <span style="font-family: Calibri;">Twelve months ago, Henry was five months old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After numerous appointments and tests and re-tests, he had been diagnosed in Dubai (where we were living) with moderate hearing loss, fitted with hearing aids and sent on our way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From my online research I understood that Henry would benefit from some sort of early intervention, but I thought this was more of a bonus, not the necessity it actually is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made an appointment at the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) in Sydney, and I feel that this was the turning point to getting us on the right track with Henry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Melissa, who would become our therapist, took the time to explain hearing loss, early intervention, and the sort of services that were available in Australia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Despite my lack of knowledge of all things hearing related, I had a mother’s instinct that Henry still wasn’t hearing, despite wearing his hearing aids every waking moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With Melissa’s support, we pursued this over the next few months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The assessments and tests we did in Australia over the next few months, combined with my observations and Henry’s lack of progress hearing-wise, resulted in a clear diagnoses in December of profound deafness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These six months between our first trip to Australia, and Henry’s surgery in January, were fraught with worry, confusion, uncertainty, sadness and stress.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our next turning point was 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> February 2011 when Henry was switched on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the last six months, Henry has moved ahead in leaps and bounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems like he was just waiting for a chance to hear and access the rest of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our quiet, serious little baby has been transformed into an engaging, curious, very intelligent, still sometimes serious, but also very noisy, little boy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before the surgery we were so worried about him getting CIs, how much work they would be to manage and maintain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But most days we barely notice he has them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put them on first thing in the morning, and then I just have two normal, hearing children who play together and fight together and do everything that any other child does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am eternally grateful that Henry has been able to enter our hearing world, and especially at such a young age.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This week Henry had his six month post-implantation assessment, and even though we knew he was doing well, it was so nice receive such positive feedback from his audiologist and therapists and to compete the same assessments he did six months ago, but this time with completely different results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one assessment on speech perception and language, he got a score of 1/44 last time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time he got 36/44, which is an awesome result.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am so proud of how far my little boy has come and so grateful to everyone involved in our progress, particularly RIDBC and SCIC. </span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-27277415310883063032011-07-15T05:14:00.000+04:002011-07-15T05:14:19.522+04:00I Need YouJust jotted down some thoughts on my responsibility as a parent and what Henry needs from me.<br />
<br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:RelyOnVML/> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-AU</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif";">I Need You </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif";">I need you to teach me, with patience and understanding.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif";">I need you to help me, nurture my strengths and strengthen my weaknesses.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif";">I need you to challenge me, new ideas, new problems, new insights.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif";">I need you to set boundaries for me, allow me to explore safely, and to know my limits.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif";">I need you to set examples for me, allow me to live by the model you demonstrate to me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif";">I need you to love me, unconditionally, without question.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif";">When I succeed, I need you to celebrate my accomplishments.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif";">But when I cannot do the things that other children can do, this is when I need you the most.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Segoe UI","sans-serif";">I need you to be proud of me and love me, as I am, who I am, to love me in spite of, because of, my differences.<span> </span>I need you to be proud of me, so that I can be proud of myself.</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-8422161059517990232011-07-12T05:13:00.000+04:002011-07-12T05:13:15.955+04:00Imogen<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:RelyOnVML/> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-AU</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Imogen has adopted the language of a mini- Auditory Verbal Therapist as she models her behaviour on mine, as always.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She points out sounds: ‘Henry, did you hear that? (exaggerated pause, pointing to her ear) Did you hear that, that was a cow”</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She repeats herself: <span> </span>‘Henry, do you want the truck, this is the truck, do you want the truck?’</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">She commentates life: <span> </span>‘Henry, look, Grandmas is cooking, can you see Grandma cooking?’</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Her language has even become more basic as she adopts my simplified versions of everyday words:<span> </span>She says: “ba, ba, ba, balloon” and “ta” instead of thank you.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And she matches objects with sounds, “Look Henry, that’s a bird, the bird says, tweet, tweet, tweet, bird, Henry, that’s a bird”.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">All without even thinking.<span> </span>It’s amazing how as the language has become second nature to me, so too has it to her.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Sometimes I find it frustrating that I can’t sit and read to Henry quietly without Imogen chatting away.<span> </span>Talk about minimising background noise, not an option when Imogen is around!<span> </span>But having her around also provides so many positive benefits for Henry. And she is the best model for Henry.<span> </span>He watches her every move and copies everything she does, so it’s a very powerful thing to have her modelling language for him.<span> </span>I have to remember not to expect too much of her, after all, she is only three.<span> </span>So if she wants to crawl under the table and pretend to be a cat, which Henry can imitate perfectly, well, that’s okay.<span> </span>After all, they are children first<span> </span>The most rewarding thing is to see them playing together, not as an advanced three year old and hearing impaired one year old, but as brother and sister, my two precious munchkins.</div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Some photos of the kids mucking around...</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsqB-6xs6lgY_mPdJgY0HWRflL2GFNZ2lxXkcFUaEv-XbdqXTjAvIak2a2KZRtXQtKkdB7zZ63TTqgG05cO_3eJKs6N7ttfTQo3CTIbA5ZNR7Xj0v3bzArE9zk0XkoeoaMBKApa4Q7loY/s1600/28-DSC01637.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVsqB-6xs6lgY_mPdJgY0HWRflL2GFNZ2lxXkcFUaEv-XbdqXTjAvIak2a2KZRtXQtKkdB7zZ63TTqgG05cO_3eJKs6N7ttfTQo3CTIbA5ZNR7Xj0v3bzArE9zk0XkoeoaMBKApa4Q7loY/s320/28-DSC01637.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry and Immi being silly in milk crates</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqDvPTRW6eceuBj-Pkg6bqyCSdi89lxavThe65Y-mu5KJO58c93YiJqqN89vc08kzr-crgtaXHDxJQW29by-u0fuB-GqC5uvlmSWaEaB7EWA-WfDCz3cSY_XTMDIIM-1BxfsQ_VMfOmgj/s1600/28-3066HighRes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPqDvPTRW6eceuBj-Pkg6bqyCSdi89lxavThe65Y-mu5KJO58c93YiJqqN89vc08kzr-crgtaXHDxJQW29by-u0fuB-GqC5uvlmSWaEaB7EWA-WfDCz3cSY_XTMDIIM-1BxfsQ_VMfOmgj/s320/28-3066HighRes.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry teaching Immi tricks this time- car in the mouth for photos!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br />
</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-24658367109757022852011-07-02T06:39:00.000+04:002011-07-02T06:39:21.175+04:00Glimpses<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:RelyOnVML/> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-AU</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In the morning when Henry gets up, I slip his headband with his CIs onto his head and at that moment he is transformed into a hearing baby.<span> </span>And until I remove it as he hops into the bath that night, there is really no difference to our daily life with him, we are just like any other family.<span> </span>Sure,<span> </span>I try really hard to expose him to as much quality language as possible, I talk and talk, and I point out sounds and commentate our life, but for the most part I have just gotten on with life, busy juggling two small children and my new business (<a href="http://www.hearinghenry.com/">hearinghenry</a>).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">However, sometimes I come across a new aspect of Henry’s hearing loss, and it causes me to stumble for a moment.<span> </span>This week Henry has (finally!) moved into his own room and so I went to buy a baby monitor, so I would still be able to hear him through the night.<span> </span>As the well meaning sales assistant explained the features of each one, she tried to sell me on the ‘parent talk’ feature – ‘look, you can just push this button and talk to your baby if they are distressed’.<span> </span>I quickly assured her I didn’t need that (as of course Henry wouldn’t be able to hear me) and tried to move on.<span> </span>“But you can sing to your baby”, she continued, “you could sing songs and not even have to go in there”.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">And at that moment, I felt raw and exposed again.<span> </span>I felt a wave of grief sweep over me as I thought of Henry in his cot at night, in a world of complete silence, unable to even hear his own cries.<span> </span><span> </span>I felt the pain of Henry’s deafness.<span> </span>My layers of positivity, strength and composure completely stripped away for that moment.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But every time this happens, I add a new layer.<span> </span>I become stronger on the outside, yet below, I have a new depth of compassion and feeling.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I can’t pray that Henry doesn’t have difficult times as he grows up, because that is inevitable.<span> </span>But I do pray that he can use his adversity to develop strength, empathy and love.<span> </span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-4413147097179095422011-06-14T12:53:00.000+04:002011-06-14T12:53:44.017+04:00"Up, Mama"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:RelyOnVML/> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves/> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:DoNotPromoteQF/> <w:LidThemeOther>EN-AU</w:LidThemeOther> <w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian> <w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/> <w:DontVertAlignCellWithSp/> <w:DontBreakConstrainedForcedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/> <m:smallFrac m:val="off"/> <m:dispDef/> <m:lMargin m:val="0"/> <m:rMargin m:val="0"/> <m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/> <m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/> <m:intLim m:val="subSup"/> <m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/> </m:mathPr></w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267"> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/> <w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-qformat:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">I had the most amazing moment today.<span> </span>I was trying to get Henry to go down for his morning sleep, but he kept crying and crying in his cot.<span> </span>I walked into the room and he looked up at me and said “Up, Mama”.<span> </span>So, so beautiful!!!!!!!!<span> </span>It’s the first time he has put two words together.<span> </span>In fact, he has only been saying “up” (when he wants to be picked up) and “mama” (sounds more like ‘baba’) for the past week and now he put them together!<span> </span>I am so overwhelmed.<span> </span>My little boy who has been hearing for just over four months, is talking!<span> </span>We are hearing henry!!!<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal">(Ironically Henry could not hear himself at the time as he doesn’t have his CIs on when he goes down for his sleep).</div><div class="MsoNormal">Will is in Dubai at the moment, so I just told him on the phone.<span> </span>His message back sums up beautifully how I feel, so I will quote him here:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>I can’t explain how happy and excited and amazed and thankful and tearful I feel about what henry was saying.<span> </span>I’m lost for words...........................awesome!</i></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-81693036543815484772011-06-10T08:02:00.000+04:002011-06-10T08:02:26.376+04:00Henry and I on the Channel 7 Morning ShowHenry and I were on the Channel 7 Morning Show last Friday to discuss the launch of my business, <a href="http://www.hearinghenry.com/">hearinghenry</a>.<br />
You can see the clip here:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/_f5jbgzRoZM/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/_f5jbgzRoZM&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/_f5jbgzRoZM&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_f5jbgzRoZM"></a>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-64106109675531545472011-05-22T06:41:00.001+04:002011-05-22T07:11:59.480+04:00New Business<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal">I have started a new business!! It’s called hearinghenry and it will provide products to help parents of babies with hearing loss keep their Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants on. It is a small target market, but should make an enormous difference to the lives of these parents and their children. It’s basically the things that I have trialled on Henry that work, such as the headband, which I am always been asked about. Every time I take Henry to an appointment, every other parent of a child with CI’s wants to know how they can get a headband. I know how hard it is to keep CIs on a baby by other means (almost impossible!), so I am really excited to be able to share this with other parents. </div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">My business has three aims: </div><ul><li><span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";"></span>The hearinghenry products will allow parents to enjoy their baby and focus on getting to know their child at what is a difficult time for any parent, but even more so for a parent of a baby with hearing loss. Mums just get to be mums, without worrying every moment that they are about to lose an important electronic device.</li>
<li>Because the hearinghenry products keep Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants on so effectively, they will provide more consistent access to sound for babies during such a critical learning period, providing better long term outcomes in speech and comprehension. </li>
<li>50% of all profits will be donated to organisations such as SCIC and RIDBC, which provide such important services to families of children with hearing loss, and have done so much for our family (as I have previously written about here: <a href="http://hearinghenry.blogspot.com/2011/04/feeling-thankful.html">Feeling Thankful - April 2011</a>).</li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">Why are the products needed?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">With the introduction of universal neonatal hearing screening and the increased recognition of the importance of early intervention, babies now start wearing hearing aids as early as two weeks of age, and cochlear implants as early as five months. The life of babies is not conducive to keeping a mini-computer behind their ears. These devices are so valuable, you would barely trust most ten years olds to be responsible for them, yet we parents have to try and keep them on our tiny babies. That first year with a new baby in your life is an overwhelming time for any new parent, whether it is your first baby, or your fourth. Personally, I feel that many special moments in Henry’s first 12 months were clouded with worry over his hearing aids- his first attempts at rolling over; instead of watching with the video camera as I did for his sister, I was rescuing stray hearing aids that fell out in the process, too scared to leave the room – not because I might miss his first roll over, but because I was scared he might choke on a hearing aid while I was gone. I have always thought how ironic it would be for my baby to choke on a hearing aid, after all we have been through with him already. Toddlers can be even worse. They trick you with their seeming maturity; you think you can trust them. Then they do something <i>really </i>silly with their CIs, like throwing them onto the busy road as you cross, and you wonder how much worse it can get. Any reaction from you only serves to increase the excitement of the ‘game’. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">hearinghenry hats – to keep Hearing Aids on</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">When Henry received his first hearing aids I was terrified of losing them. I had read that I could use pilot caps to keep them on, but when I tried to look for them online, I trawled through website after website trying to find something reasonably priced that I could order online. Regular clothing shops did not stock anything suitable and I found only two websites offering them, but they were expensive and difficult to order online.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The hearinghenry hats are a pilot cap which ties securely under the chin to prevent little hands getting in and pulling out Hearing Aids, or the Hearing Aids becoming loose on their own. The hearinghenry hats will be easy to order online, economical and robust, and come in a variety of designs and colours, so look really cute! The particular design of the hats makes them quick and easy to put on, yet tie up in a way that makes them very difficult for a baby to remove or access their Hearing Aids. With the temptation removed, babies forget the Hearing Aids are even there and quickly move on to creating other mischief! </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: #0d0d0d;">hearinghenry headbands – to keep Cochlear Implants on</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">When Henry got his cochlear implants and was ‘switched on’, we were so excited that he could now hear and I was determined to make up for all the lost time, determined that I would keep his cochlear implants on his head for every waking moment. But after three hours at home, the excitement had been replaced by absolute frustration; I just could not keep them on him. I sat in tears holding them in my hands thinking what a terrible mother I was, I had put Henry through all the trauma of surgery to get his cochlear implants, yet now here I was giving up on the first day. They came with all sorts of clips and devices and attachments to help keep them on babies, but nothing seemed to work. Something had to be done; I couldn’t imagine coping with the next two years like this, constantly running after Henry trying to clip the batteries back onto his shirt, to reattach the cords he had once again pulled off, trying to mould the plastic around his ear to hold the heavy speech processor on, which was just too heavy for his tiny ears. The next morning Will and I brainstormed and we had an inspiration - using Imogen’s headband, hair elastics and some scissors, we created Henry’s Headbands. Since that morning, he has worn nothing else, and it works so perfectly. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The existing solution looks like this:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5m2u0OOxqGj4brGRtRkBIqrjhMcjrxbaEwbQt_YrcC6rVJWiSVNWSfBRH0b3zNvcDABg9OjumK8U00XjHX3wGi3soaGqycF9NBmmJMBgx72IMo8gnPU_DM1yIBjDMwkJuPshdAfbSBTE/s1600/25-1DSC01497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb5m2u0OOxqGj4brGRtRkBIqrjhMcjrxbaEwbQt_YrcC6rVJWiSVNWSfBRH0b3zNvcDABg9OjumK8U00XjHX3wGi3soaGqycF9NBmmJMBgx72IMo8gnPU_DM1yIBjDMwkJuPshdAfbSBTE/s320/25-1DSC01497.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry wearing the Cochlear snugfit</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6DJuXIdXoUFrTZsskoCxgPdsBVWdESBsRxSdOJgPs0NJruExAVn0L8RBNvrC405k_QHsyuXJauDCB908NJIyFqhOMjBthHDFhUFEcnY_aArZkhcyfNnneLd-_ZRqWsYkCffNMS5Ru3n7/s1600/25-2DSC01505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6DJuXIdXoUFrTZsskoCxgPdsBVWdESBsRxSdOJgPs0NJruExAVn0L8RBNvrC405k_QHsyuXJauDCB908NJIyFqhOMjBthHDFhUFEcnY_aArZkhcyfNnneLd-_ZRqWsYkCffNMS5Ru3n7/s320/25-2DSC01505.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batteries are worn on the baby's back, in a Babyworn (to reduce the weight on the baby's ears)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIw48-OzfnwcDLInH04K4Rlc6Ajv0sQ2F_3S6Q4uaxOXXZV4Yi506EtXJjMH2fDuz6RAtt1C2FHXAVdZTigaM4A2rZ1K4d3iAczwFWHvhJ6fIj5p4hRrduPFPn0y-wzeu7uNkJg-dBb7l/s1600/25-3DSC01501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIw48-OzfnwcDLInH04K4Rlc6Ajv0sQ2F_3S6Q4uaxOXXZV4Yi506EtXJjMH2fDuz6RAtt1C2FHXAVdZTigaM4A2rZ1K4d3iAczwFWHvhJ6fIj5p4hRrduPFPn0y-wzeu7uNkJg-dBb7l/s320/25-3DSC01501.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry doesn't find it very comfortable! This device is mainly used by adults and is a one-size-fits all solution, so no wonder it is too heavy for Henry's ear!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">A hook wraps around the ear, however I found the processor just so heavy that to make the hook tight enough ends up squashing Henry’s ear. The battery is worn on the baby’s back, to reduce some of the weight, however I found the cords were just something else Henry could grab onto. In reality what usually ended up happening was the processor would fall off and Henry would crawl along the ground, dragging the processor behind him.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FcN7toTDjktJaIZ_I00XeQ7dANmmKvha1Ohu25j7XFIwH1go-JoPRwA_5ml5QGDFdBa8PXOp7b35g-TL7iyOS6J7c0JgT7t58yCS_1lTGkYxRk893ngP0BwbuWLmJRRmTNg4YAml7mQ4/s1600/25-4DSC01488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2FcN7toTDjktJaIZ_I00XeQ7dANmmKvha1Ohu25j7XFIwH1go-JoPRwA_5ml5QGDFdBa8PXOp7b35g-TL7iyOS6J7c0JgT7t58yCS_1lTGkYxRk893ngP0BwbuWLmJRRmTNg4YAml7mQ4/s640/25-4DSC01488.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not a good way to treat this valuable piece of equipment and Henry's lifeline to being able to hear!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">The hearinghenry headband provide a more convenient, more comfortable and just easier to manage solution to keeping Cochlear Implants on. The headband is an elastic headband which holds the speech processor and magnetic coil – the external part of a cochlear implant - in place. The headband holds all the pieces together, and can be slipped on and off with ease.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSv3LHtWLZPWRXz6LMm8_Fs9UVcWrIO5GhnZ-8vlhoGOqpzKpVENeEs8D2881OQHl2o2et8evITgEtfycdZsZQ6D2UCvYKIH15rEhbk7ZKGRVDFPuLW6Hq_Pvp8oSieTbby3AjR0Y5Bpk/s1600/25-5Just+Henry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDSv3LHtWLZPWRXz6LMm8_Fs9UVcWrIO5GhnZ-8vlhoGOqpzKpVENeEs8D2881OQHl2o2et8evITgEtfycdZsZQ6D2UCvYKIH15rEhbk7ZKGRVDFPuLW6Hq_Pvp8oSieTbby3AjR0Y5Bpk/s320/25-5Just+Henry.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hearinghenry headband</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAWly6A6T19zzvsXo0Z1NU6J-EzxvGwoPMa9houKUpFShZjbye669Vc9NwZD2b3Xs-1hjLQ_LTbrsav06t0fVvB4r94cVC0X27_2UDY9_19k9UFqdtl2tSVjy-TgxFxv3eRdhKxhbxZC7/s1600/25-6DSCN0377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAWly6A6T19zzvsXo0Z1NU6J-EzxvGwoPMa9houKUpFShZjbye669Vc9NwZD2b3Xs-1hjLQ_LTbrsav06t0fVvB4r94cVC0X27_2UDY9_19k9UFqdtl2tSVjy-TgxFxv3eRdhKxhbxZC7/s320/25-6DSCN0377.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can relax, let Henry enjoy exploring and not stress that his CIs could drop in the water (which equals disaster!)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><b>Why is it so important to keep the devices on?</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">The first few years of any child’s life is vital to the development of language, however for a hearing impaired child, if the desired outcome is listening and spoken language, consistent access to meaningful sound is vital. Dimity Dorman, the Managing Director and Founder of the Hear and Say Centre in Queensland wrote a paper in 2009 for the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing titled “Hearing Loss in Babies is a Neurological Emergency” (available <a href="http://agbell.org/NetCommunity/Document.Doc?id=356">here</a>) explaining that a baby born with significant hearing loss has already missed out on around 20 weeks of auditory stimulation and significant activation of auditory neural pathways in-utero. She writes that “if the baby is to develop optimal listening and spoken language skills, then he or she needs to… have early auditory brain access through prompt fitting of modern hearing technology, such as cochlear implants and digital hearing aids”.</div><div class="MsoNormal">There are so many things a parent is expected to do once their child has access to sound to make up for lost time; it can be overwhelming. Two of the most important things a parent can do are:</div><div class="MsoNormal">1) Talk, talk, talk to their child every day to give maximum exposure to sound; and</div><div class="MsoNormal">2) Ensure that their child’s hearing aids or cochlear implants are on at <b>every </b>waking moment.</div><div class="MsoNormal">The hearinghenry products are designed to make this as easy as possible for parents. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Where to from here?</b></div><div class="MsoNormal">I am still in the process of setting up the website (www.hearinghenry.com), hoping to start selling the products really soon! In the meantime, for those who are interested in the business, you can email me at <a href="mailto:sarah@hearinghenry.com">sarah@hearinghenry.com</a>. </div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-13067981096178179382011-05-20T05:38:00.001+04:002011-05-20T13:26:22.384+04:00Tears<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mostly we have just gotten on with our life, with Henry and his CIs just part of our daily routine. While I am working hard at developing his language, it too has just become a way of life. The other day at the hairdresser I heard myself saying that my one year old baby was deaf, and it sounded so dramatic, so unusual, so serious. And yet that’s not how it feels at all. I almost had to check myself, are you sure? But of course, our Henry is profoundly deaf. And although he seems to interact with the world now like any other baby, we do celebrate his small successes with particular pride and joy.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Today, Henry has done so many amazing things, it makes my heart swell. Starting with saying ‘woof, woof’ this morning when Grandpa took him to feed the dog, then whipping around to look for the birds in the tree he could hear chirping. Grandma drove up in the truck and he excitedly started saying brrmmm, brrmm and waving to her. She pointed out the goats on the hill and told him how they say maaa, mmaa. He imitated the sound and pointed to them. Later, while reading to him, he spontaneously said ‘ee, ee, ee’ when he saw the mouse, tried to do tsk tsk tsk for the rabbit, approximated meow for the cat and brm again for the car. All without prompting. He also attempted to imitate me saying ‘peekaboo’! And then just now, as I type this while simultaneously trying to cook dinner and watch the two kids, Henry crawled towards the hot oven (I know, I know, but we can’t all be perfect mothers....) and I shouted “no! henry, uh-uh!”. And he stopped and looked at me and burst into tears because of my harsh tone. And my eyes welled up too, because having your baby hear you, is one of the most precious things in the world. </div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-38562047155039832011-05-12T14:54:00.000+04:002011-05-14T00:34:09.685+04:00Henry Reading<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZmRwONhDMiA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: center;">A video update to show how vocal Henry is getting.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I am just so proud of him!</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-26791482528896259902011-05-04T05:28:00.000+04:002011-05-04T05:28:22.489+04:00Hearing Age = 3 months<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is 3 months today since Henry was switched on to the world of sound, or really, the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I thought I would record his progress to date.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">‘words’ that Henry can say, in context, without prompting:</span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> o - o –o = ‘moo’ for cow</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>v – v- v = vrmmm for truck/car</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">ee – ee – ee = for mouse</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">a – a – a = maa for goat</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Words that Henry understands when you say:</span></div><ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Henry</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Imogen</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cow</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Uh uh <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(no)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sit Down</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Environmental sounds that Henry recognises and knows what they belong to:</span><br />
<ul><li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span>Cars going past</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cows mooing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wind chimes blowing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Birds chirping</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Door opening</span></li>
</ul><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This short list does not seem to do justice to the enormous progress that Henry has made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though he doesn’t understand most of what is said, and can’t produce many sounds or words himself, he understands the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">concept </i>of language.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He understands communication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest is ‘easy’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now he just needs to learn the vocab, the English language, practice, practice vocalisations and soon he will be understanding and talking!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, it won’t be easy, but you have to celebrate the victories along the way, and I feel we have made a great leap forward to hearing henry. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> </span>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-11720119328043241622011-04-24T03:11:00.000+04:002011-04-24T03:11:33.934+04:00Farm Life<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are at my Mum and Dad’s farm, ‘Amaroo’, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the Hunter Valley at the moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Imogen and Henry are loving the farm life and enjoying spending time with their grandparents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One focus of learning for Henry recently has been animals- their names, the sounds they make, their colour and feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Children’s books and toys are always filled with animals so they have always been a great thing to learn about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However nothing beats the real thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amaroo provides a rich source of sounds and opportunities to talk the different animals that Henry now sees every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is getting really good at imitating the ‘moo’ sound whenever Grandma takes him for a walk to see the cows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is not quite spontaneously naming them that first, but he definitely understands that the ‘moo’ sound belongs with the cows.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Amaroo has a huge variety of (noisy) birds and Henry can immediately hear the sound and start looking for where the bird is – ie. he knows that it is a bird making the sound and not something else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every day he is learning about new sounds and what they relate to –the sound of leaves crunching as he crawls through the autumn leaves, the sound of the wind chimes blowing in the wind, the running creek, Grandpa Jack starting the tractor, Mindy the dog yelping, Uncle Jase throwing the basketball against the backboard, Uncle Matt riding the skateboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My little boy who is profoundly deaf- all these sounds he hears, and processes and learns to associate meaning to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still amazed how lucky we are!</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQzMFsQkI1ISwbk-ki7E_06rNnZEfnQ8wKmMr57XR8MU85K6ayyq4P1MigcPBO5UL-yCy8jiHPEdAkkedXyD67827my9aBx6k56p9iqZmR24me2ya7JHEuArmkNjhw7yp-BkfUFyRefJI/s1600/22-DSCN0061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQzMFsQkI1ISwbk-ki7E_06rNnZEfnQ8wKmMr57XR8MU85K6ayyq4P1MigcPBO5UL-yCy8jiHPEdAkkedXyD67827my9aBx6k56p9iqZmR24me2ya7JHEuArmkNjhw7yp-BkfUFyRefJI/s320/22-DSCN0061.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry helping Grandma and Grandpa with the cows</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-zTX8nBiMrRawW7rr0aXq-vHdAco85G77HNwC5fGc33yyn3VWk0UuqFaDxYpkR8yr3Zyk8gXIJmM9RO64TbcMxh1ESUoHy4OR8FeSBzXxTig37lv7XzGdKNDoLIJ612zwVzyDl7wA5EO/s1600/22-DSCN0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-zTX8nBiMrRawW7rr0aXq-vHdAco85G77HNwC5fGc33yyn3VWk0UuqFaDxYpkR8yr3Zyk8gXIJmM9RO64TbcMxh1ESUoHy4OR8FeSBzXxTig37lv7XzGdKNDoLIJ612zwVzyDl7wA5EO/s320/22-DSCN0079.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry and Imogen on the bike</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OUg-iNOrCqcUyjv3-6FkN7VnxV25RU5X9wmFLWb93dPj9x-hMO7_6WvsLxT-zCBixEh7ZJ-yVYS3kmXG5kmKhoqTUMiqb283CXDn8HjN2FdC9Ao5flIjzQO_nl_-9m4NYNwKYndaLAda/s1600/22-DSCN0096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OUg-iNOrCqcUyjv3-6FkN7VnxV25RU5X9wmFLWb93dPj9x-hMO7_6WvsLxT-zCBixEh7ZJ-yVYS3kmXG5kmKhoqTUMiqb283CXDn8HjN2FdC9Ao5flIjzQO_nl_-9m4NYNwKYndaLAda/s320/22-DSCN0096.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry and Grandpa Jack</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnAunf7sSxgpBxcduleMngQZWDpnHe9xkDXBAUcPOAPEz21GYQTheFJ5T-uvw18K5ZMsEW3GY-NKq5XP6CvDwmDSagWz1krwFK3Zjhfe3LVKURHAfKvz7hZ4fCv34XjWTtXs3W3SieAf1/s1600/22-DSCN0106.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnAunf7sSxgpBxcduleMngQZWDpnHe9xkDXBAUcPOAPEz21GYQTheFJ5T-uvw18K5ZMsEW3GY-NKq5XP6CvDwmDSagWz1krwFK3Zjhfe3LVKURHAfKvz7hZ4fCv34XjWTtXs3W3SieAf1/s320/22-DSCN0106.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Always learning - on the bike again</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-80339667334119509482011-04-07T01:41:00.000+04:002011-04-07T01:41:37.539+04:00Feeling Thankful<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the past three months we have been living in accommodation provided to us by the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) in Sydney.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel such an overwhelming depth of gratitude; I really don’t know how to express how thankful I am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were living overseas when we starting investigating the possibility of cochlear implants for Henry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The decision to implant your baby is stressful enough, but for me that was clouded enormously with the stress of worrying about where we would stay if we had to come back for the surgery and how we would manage all the appointments required for Henry without compromising his journey to hearing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is not something you can just fly in for and leave again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the first year, the mapping (fine tuning of the sound received by the cochlear implant) and therapy requirements are huge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We came up with a plan whereby we would come to Sydney for three months for the surgery and intense mapping and therapy afterwards, then return to Sydney every three months after that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just had to find somewhere for stay for the three months of surgery and follow up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would have been happy to rent somewhere, but we had no furniture, and furnished rentals are SO expensive!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even looked at house swapping, but it was just going to be so difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were at a loss.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Henry was only confirmed to actually require the implants in December 2010, and the surgery date was booked for January 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were so happy that things could be expedited as they were, it just didn’t give us a chance to pack up our life in Dubai and move to Australia in time, even if we wanted to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I was immensely thankful when we were offered the opportunity to stay on campus at RIDBC for the three most important months in Henry’s life.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our house here- cottage 365 – has become our temporary home and I have such special memories of our time here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am really sad that we will be leaving next week, and I’m sure the kids will feel the same.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we arrived here, off our 16 hour flight from Dubai, we had with us a ten month old baby who, as far as I know, had never heard a sound.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Henry was gorgeous and clearly intelligent, but he was in his own world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He didn’t <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">engage</i> with us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, we leave here with a 13 month old boy who just has so much charisma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He wants to be involved with everything!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t know how to describe it, but he <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">participates</i> in our life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the moment he wakes up in the morning, he doesn’t stop communicating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Asking questions- he hears a sound outside and he looks at me and points and coos- ‘what was that mama?’ and wait for me to tell him, or better show him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He hears Immi entering the room and he is so excited – where is she? What is she going to do next? (It could be anything!!!)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He even recognises Will’s voice on Skype when he calls in and points and tries to bang on the keyboard.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Henry and I had a whirlwind trip to Australia in December and met with the Sydney Cochlear Implant Centre (SCIC).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the time, we were told that Henry was covered for just one implant, but there was a chance that donations which had been made to SCIC could be used to cover the second.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shortly before our trip to Australia for the surgery we were informed that Henry would indeed receive bilateral (two) cochlear implants.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">William and I will be eternally grateful for the support, guidance and assistance provided to us by RIDBC and SCIC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The expression ‘life changing’ is bantered about, however this truly has impacted upon our, and most importantly Henry’s, life and set him on an amazing path forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I truly believe there is nothing he cannot do now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thank you RIDBC and SCIC.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIARMPPB8YOFPURNXxWpYMCnpC0wNccMfp35__GDVZt5N1il9jyPgVnI1vaMy1Ra2L7qw2kAWrmJ2iEZ5q5y4KuIk1mFlm7QamBc0-DfgLF9wSflJKJnssxyBHNC36c06tew7xdh66UZJV/s1600/21-DSC00157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIARMPPB8YOFPURNXxWpYMCnpC0wNccMfp35__GDVZt5N1il9jyPgVnI1vaMy1Ra2L7qw2kAWrmJ2iEZ5q5y4KuIk1mFlm7QamBc0-DfgLF9wSflJKJnssxyBHNC36c06tew7xdh66UZJV/s320/21-DSC00157.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Will and Henry out the front of the house when we first arrived</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMfBDJnuDeMYqYQFn4GxMeKerzqlob9dPg3B4pPtxuOrZbmw2RH6UNy13rU7VBPOmIGQrsxMoP6f80fYw_vBjKLNMoL9XFgHl2CAWpCVsIuJVs_ZR-HGK0GDMO4ZGLmgluGbfQdG1jLld/s1600/21-DSC00502.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMfBDJnuDeMYqYQFn4GxMeKerzqlob9dPg3B4pPtxuOrZbmw2RH6UNy13rU7VBPOmIGQrsxMoP6f80fYw_vBjKLNMoL9XFgHl2CAWpCVsIuJVs_ZR-HGK0GDMO4ZGLmgluGbfQdG1jLld/s320/21-DSC00502.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imogen out the front, leaving for pre-school. While we were here, she attended the Vision-Ed Pre School on campus and absolutely loved it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAB_e60g4BkPov0eCi4VwAq13zoy5hWBgCxoAHFTBst9y5AD9vOT3BlT-O3nTEXateFHMglBDDL5dXleGlJ9OwUOM-rFqMuT5RIPAZ-96_0d_aHnS4EzDoS0_kVPSQyy28wzaEUncDse8/s1600/21-DSC06347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAB_e60g4BkPov0eCi4VwAq13zoy5hWBgCxoAHFTBst9y5AD9vOT3BlT-O3nTEXateFHMglBDDL5dXleGlJ9OwUOM-rFqMuT5RIPAZ-96_0d_aHnS4EzDoS0_kVPSQyy28wzaEUncDse8/s320/21-DSC06347.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Henry and Grandma Corinna out the front of Cottage 365</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-62281845498249956642011-04-04T07:56:00.002+04:002011-04-04T07:56:51.954+04:00Imogen and Henry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWqLgQ1NSi-PGuIb1zK_wo7bwgvQCrrrrC0sWtWvlIOqslqTULcAhr5Q5y0_TOeIjGtv1t-kGxYC7flH8NqAUZyr04a7f5bNI_aExZ729v46GXaIdsR9mQHmpKFjUuVCpZ_ppc4YaMy0g/s1600/20-DSC00883.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWqLgQ1NSi-PGuIb1zK_wo7bwgvQCrrrrC0sWtWvlIOqslqTULcAhr5Q5y0_TOeIjGtv1t-kGxYC7flH8NqAUZyr04a7f5bNI_aExZ729v46GXaIdsR9mQHmpKFjUuVCpZ_ppc4YaMy0g/s320/20-DSC00883.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-79313786766605149002011-04-04T07:43:00.000+04:002011-04-04T07:43:47.491+04:00Goals<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over the last couple of weeks, Henry’s therapist Melissa and I have been working to put together a plan of Henry’s goals for the next six months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like having a plan to work to – I am a ‘goal’ person anyway, so it suits me well to have things to aim for with Henry.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some of the things we will be aiming for Henry are (<em>with Melissa’s explanation of why it is important in brackets</em>):</span></div><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Audition</u>: Understands the meaning associated with environmental sounds. (<em>This will form the basis of future language development</em>);</span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Receptive Language</u>: Understands familiar key words/instructions without gestures such as ‘not, ‘stop’, ‘come here’ and ‘ta for mummy’ (<em>Responding to these words/instructions means that Henry can detect the word, recognise its meaning and respond appropriately</em>). </span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Expressive Language</u>: Attends to familiar songs and responds by vocalising and/or copying rhythm/actions. (<em>Henry is developing his ability to recall previous experiences and should start to connect actions to words.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, imitating actions usually precedes a child’s ability to imitate words</em>).</span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Social Communication</u>: Demonstrate vocal turn-taking such as vocal play, joining in singing or conversational turn-taking. (<em>This goal focuses on Henry’s interaction and participation skills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It also helps him understand that sound can be used for different purposes</em>).</span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Speech</u>: Begins to copy one or more features of a new word immediately after hearing it, eg. syllable number, vowel sounds, intonation, duration, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<em>Henry will need to practice using the various features of speech such as pitch, volume and duration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His speech production will also help us to understand what he is hearing</em>).</span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Cognition skills</u>: Uses one object to represent another, eg. pretends block is a car or a phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<em>Using one object to represent another is a concrete substitution which precedes the child’s ability to represent an object with a word which is an abstract substitution</em>).</span></div></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Melissa put together the plan and has suggested it is reasonable to expect Henry to be able to achieve these things in six months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I plan to work really hard with Henry and actually my goal is to have him complete all these goals in four months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Henry, your Mummy has high expectations of you!!!!</span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-22761732132538919292011-04-03T12:05:00.000+04:002011-04-03T12:05:28.404+04:00An inspiring, beautiful video clip<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/cnXza2oL6HQ?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div dir="ltr" id="playnav-curvideo-description">In this ad (shot in 2000 for the Hear and Say Centre in Brisbane), James, a young boy recounts his journey from being diagnosed as profoundly deaf and the doctors telling his parents that he would never be able to speak or listen to music, to 11 years of age and becoming an Irish Dancing champion.</div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2929422769888087514.post-29039460667980560072011-03-28T04:55:00.000+04:002011-03-28T04:55:39.709+04:00"Things to do with Henry"When family and friends spend time with Henry, everyone always wants to know what they can do with Henry to help develop his listening and speech, so I have a few pointers printed out and stuck on the fridge. It also serves as a good reminder to me. I have put a copy below.<br />
<br />
<div> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Things to do with Henry</span></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><ul><li><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Use a <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">moderate, clear</b> voice.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Use <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">full sentences</b> and model language correctly.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Talk, talk, talk</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> – about every activity you do with him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t miss a chance to have a conversation whenever you can, and be close by and at his eye and ear level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He needs <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">lots of extra talking to</b>, to learn both the language and how to listen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However don’t talk about abstract things- talk about what Henry is focused on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Give Henry a chance to talk back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ask him a question and <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">wait, wait, wait</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Count slowly to five.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only then provide the answer if he has not yet responded.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Reward</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> approximations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you say ‘cup’ and he says ‘oo’, don’t correct him, just say, ‘that’s right, it’s a cup, good talking Henry, you said cup’.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Sing <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">songs</b> that are fun and include actions.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">‘<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Communicate</b>’ – When Henry makes sounds, copy and make them back, and then vary it and start a new sound and see if Henry will copy it back.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Minimise background noise</span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> – turn off the tv, washing machine, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It makes it very hard for Henry to hear properly.</span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Say it before he sees it </span></b><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%;">eg. ‘Do you want a drink Henry?’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Give him a chance to think about what you are asking, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">then</i> show him the drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do you want to read a book Henry?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wait, then show him the book.</span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"></span></span></span></li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Aims:</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">To teach him that words mean something.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-family: Century Gothic;">- </span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic", "sans-serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">To teach him how to listen- how to distinguish between different sounds (much harder for him than a hearing baby).</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Segoe Print"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #073763;"><em><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">And remember, he is our little baby Henry first and foremost- lots of hugs and kisses - enjoy him!!!!!</span></em></span></span></div>Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07242985694990927818noreply@blogger.com1