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.

[Clare Patterson]

Hi,
I'm not a parent of a deaf or hoh kid; I am one. I'm 23 years old and have progressive SNHL that is severe to profound now.
I graduated from college in 2008 and I'm taking the last two classes needed before medical school. I use ASL and I talk depending on the situation.

I joined this group for two reasons- 1. parents of deaf and hoh kids probably have wonderful advice about advocacy and 2. I know quite a bit about being a hard of hearing then deaf teenager/young adult.

I'm currently trying very hard to get Vocational Rehab to pay for new hearing aids. My audiologist is letting me borrow one Naida BTE because my old BTEs didn't provide enough gain. I really can't wait until I get funding so that I can actually have my own Naida's and I will get to choose the color. I can't decide is transparent or transparent blue will be coolest.
I'm not worried about being an "adult" with awesome colored hearing aids since I plan on avoiding actually becoming an adult by being a pediatrician. Perfect plan!
-Clare