Last year we showed you how Drew Loves the Ohio State Buckeyes.
This year he can show off his "fanhood" even more by saying "Go Bucks!", and perhaps most importantly can express his thoughts toward "that team up north". Watch Drew in action.
Saturday, August 30
Thursday, August 28
Save the Date
The Ohio Chapter of The Alexander Graham Bell Association Presents:
Keynote Speaker:
Carol Flexer Ph.D.
http://www.carolflexer.com/
The 2008
Ohio Chapter
Annual Conference
Open to Members & Nonmembers
Saturday, November 1, 2008
10 am – 4 pm
Nationwide Hospital
Columbus, OH
Hampton Inn: Downtown Columbus
Room Block for Conference Attendees for Oct. 31, 2008
Single Occupancy $103.00 or Double Occupancy $113.00
www.hamptoninn.com/hi/columbus-downtown
(614) 559-2000 or 1-800-HAMPTON
Group Code: AG1
*Visit http://www.agbell.org/oh for more info*
Wednesday, August 27
"I Want To See God"
On Sunday evening, our family sat together eating dinner at a restaurant. It hadn't rained for 15 days, so when the sky began to turn gray we were hoping for some relief for our stressed lawn.
Drew was in his high chair exclaiming "chip!" for his tortilla chips he grasped above his head, and his three-year-old sister sat to my left next to the large picture window, overlooking the restaurant's landscaping and the dark skies above.
Our daughter took notice of these clouds, and was asking things such as "where does rain come from?" (the clouds), "can a plane fly in the clouds?" (yes, and actually can fly above them), and "can a plane fly to God"? (no).
She paused for a moment as she ate her quesadilla, contemplating these answers, and a line suddenly appeared on her brow. She had an important question.
"I want to see God", she stated. "Can I see God, daddy?", she asked, her root beer colored eyes looking up at me.
I thought for a second, caught off-guard, and replied, "No, honey, daddy and mommy have to see God first."
Her eyes rumpled with confused strain, and she took another long pause to consider this proposal. She took a breath and pleaded in almost a whisper "No! But who will watch us? I want to go with you."
A dense storm engulfed us. Not just the rain that now rushed off the edge of the walks and overflowed the gutters outside, but in our hearts. Out tears fell like the raindrops opposite the window.
The look on her face, and the tone of her voice were crushing to us. The thought of not having her (and Drew) with us is unbearable, but so is the thought of her feeling left behind.
Such is life, I suppose. We must enjoy these stormy moments (and all moments), uncomfortable as they may be, and live life in a way which will leave us with wonderful memories to carry us through any loss we face, and prepare our kids and other loved ones to move along under their own power without us.
What's the point of living if we don't have anything to lose?
Drew was in his high chair exclaiming "chip!" for his tortilla chips he grasped above his head, and his three-year-old sister sat to my left next to the large picture window, overlooking the restaurant's landscaping and the dark skies above.
Our daughter took notice of these clouds, and was asking things such as "where does rain come from?" (the clouds), "can a plane fly in the clouds?" (yes, and actually can fly above them), and "can a plane fly to God"? (no).
She paused for a moment as she ate her quesadilla, contemplating these answers, and a line suddenly appeared on her brow. She had an important question.
"I want to see God", she stated. "Can I see God, daddy?", she asked, her root beer colored eyes looking up at me.
I thought for a second, caught off-guard, and replied, "No, honey, daddy and mommy have to see God first."
Her eyes rumpled with confused strain, and she took another long pause to consider this proposal. She took a breath and pleaded in almost a whisper "No! But who will watch us? I want to go with you."
A dense storm engulfed us. Not just the rain that now rushed off the edge of the walks and overflowed the gutters outside, but in our hearts. Out tears fell like the raindrops opposite the window.
The look on her face, and the tone of her voice were crushing to us. The thought of not having her (and Drew) with us is unbearable, but so is the thought of her feeling left behind.
Such is life, I suppose. We must enjoy these stormy moments (and all moments), uncomfortable as they may be, and live life in a way which will leave us with wonderful memories to carry us through any loss we face, and prepare our kids and other loved ones to move along under their own power without us.
What's the point of living if we don't have anything to lose?
Monday, August 25
Hearing Aid Tax Credit
When Drew was first diagnosed with hearing loss, we were disappointed to learn that many, if not all, health insurance providers do not provide coverage for hearing aids. We knew that Drew would in all likely hood not benefit from hearing aids enough to develop normal speech and language, but hearing aids were a critical step to stimulate his auditory nerve with his residual hearing.
Our family was fortunate in two regards: 1. Our state's Early Intervention Program provided Drew with loaner hearing aids at no charge; and 2. Drew would only need hearing aids until his cochlear implant surgery, alleviating the need to purchase.
For many families, hearing aids provide their children with appropriate amplification for life. But these families are faced with the financial burden of paying for the hearing aids themselves, some as much as $5000 per ear. And hearing aids don't last a lifetime. As technology changes, hearing aids are replaced. I recently learned of the Hearing Aid Tax Credit. Please take a moment to write your congressmen/women about this important legislation. I certainly don't think that this legislation is enough, but it is a start. We can all make a difference.
Our family was fortunate in two regards: 1. Our state's Early Intervention Program provided Drew with loaner hearing aids at no charge; and 2. Drew would only need hearing aids until his cochlear implant surgery, alleviating the need to purchase.
For many families, hearing aids provide their children with appropriate amplification for life. But these families are faced with the financial burden of paying for the hearing aids themselves, some as much as $5000 per ear. And hearing aids don't last a lifetime. As technology changes, hearing aids are replaced. I recently learned of the Hearing Aid Tax Credit. Please take a moment to write your congressmen/women about this important legislation. I certainly don't think that this legislation is enough, but it is a start. We can all make a difference.
Thursday, August 21
Incidental Learning
Drew's language is really exploding, as he is adding new words and new two and three word phrases each day. After returning from the beach, even my Mom, who normally sees him on a daily basis, commented on how much more he is talking! Very exciting!
Drew's Dad and I are amazed at how much Drew is learning that we aren't teaching him. One of Drew's favorite phrases right now is, "[Sister's name] take it." Anytime his sister has something he wants, or that she has stolen from him, he whines and says that phrase! The only way we can figure that he learned it is from us asking his sister, "Did you take it from Drew?" It is amazing! We certainly didn't teach him to tell us when she takes things from him. In fact, it can be quite annoying, as we hear it about a thousand times a day!
Also, Drew is learning which restaurant chain has certain types of food. When we are driving and pass a Pizza Hut his will say, "Pizza." When he sees McDonald's he says, "Chicken." Bob Evans? Pancakes. We certainly have not taught him this, he is just learning the food chain logos and associating it with the food he eats at each restaurant. (Maybe we eat out too much?)
This incidental learning is so important, and one area of language development that hearing impaired children typically struggle with. The struggles generally stem from not being able to hear well in noisy situations, or not being able to understand the language without the speaker looking at them (to help with lip reading). It is amazing just how well Drew is able to hear with his implants. And part of the reason that his everyday speech is coming along so well and is in context with different situations is because he is doing well with his incidental learning.
It is so much fun to watch this language development. It is just...so...normal.
Drew's Dad and I are amazed at how much Drew is learning that we aren't teaching him. One of Drew's favorite phrases right now is, "[Sister's name] take it." Anytime his sister has something he wants, or that she has stolen from him, he whines and says that phrase! The only way we can figure that he learned it is from us asking his sister, "Did you take it from Drew?" It is amazing! We certainly didn't teach him to tell us when she takes things from him. In fact, it can be quite annoying, as we hear it about a thousand times a day!
Also, Drew is learning which restaurant chain has certain types of food. When we are driving and pass a Pizza Hut his will say, "Pizza." When he sees McDonald's he says, "Chicken." Bob Evans? Pancakes. We certainly have not taught him this, he is just learning the food chain logos and associating it with the food he eats at each restaurant. (Maybe we eat out too much?)
This incidental learning is so important, and one area of language development that hearing impaired children typically struggle with. The struggles generally stem from not being able to hear well in noisy situations, or not being able to understand the language without the speaker looking at them (to help with lip reading). It is amazing just how well Drew is able to hear with his implants. And part of the reason that his everyday speech is coming along so well and is in context with different situations is because he is doing well with his incidental learning.
It is so much fun to watch this language development. It is just...so...normal.
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