Introductions

[Karen Putz]

Hi everyone! I figured it was time for some introductions now that we've got a couple of parents here!

I'm a deaf mom of three deaf and hard of hearing kids-- two teens and one tween. In my family, we have a rare gene that passes on hearing loss via the females in the family. I was born hearing, grew up hard of hearing and became deaf at the age of nineteen after a fall from barefooting (waterskiing on bare feet). My hubby is also deaf.

I blog at A Deaf Mom Shares Her World and I run the Jobs, Careers and Callings website that features deaf/hard of hearing people at work. I also blog at Chicago Moms Blog, Disaboom and Parenting Squad.

Jump right in and tell us about yourself and your family!

[Michelle Wright]

Hello Everyone-
I stumbled across this site on the internet and I am glad I did. I live in Northern California about 45 minutes outside San Francisco. There is a lack of support groups for HL in the area. So this site has been wonderful to connect with other families.

My daughter Sydney was diagnosed with a moderate to severe SNHL when she was 2 mos. and has since been fitted with purple Phonak's at 3 mos. She is enrolled in the early start pre-school for the deaf and hh. We are taking a total communication approach with her so she can have as much access to communicating as possible. We are enjoying our little one and everything she has taught us in her 4 mos. on earth.