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Thursday 12 September 2013

SwitchOn and The Adventure of Sound

Thankyou everyone for your patience in awaiting this blog post- I have had many emails eagerly awaiting news of Jaime's switch on. I have been overwhelmed to hear of so many that are following Jaime's journey, we have been touched by all the support.


Just over one month ago I watched my precious child undergo surgery to receive a cochlear implant. Our goal, to give our daughter every opportunity to listen, speak and integrate with her peers.

After a successful surgery Jaime was given two weeks to recover and heal. She amazed us with her patience with dressing changes, and her ability to bounce back to her bubbly self within days. At the conclusion of two weeks we ventured to the Cochlear Implant Clinic for an exciting new appointment! Today was to be Switch On Day!!
On our arrival we received our goodie bag of accessories and spare parts- it felt like Christmas unwrapping a suitcase full of bits and bobs- most exciting was unwrapping Jaime's new Cochlear Processor- Jaime's new ear!
Jaime sat patiently as we fitted the processor and I attempted to hunt for the implanted magnet to attach her coil... A challenge I am only now beginning to master.
Then began the moment we had waited so long for... Switch On! 
My husband and I waited with baited breath as the technician began to play the first soft beeps, Jaime's eyes lifted, opened a little wider and looked toward the test screen to watch the dancing characters that appeared. The first responses were subtle, but none-the-less amazing! Although we still have many adjustments and therapy sessions ahead, it feels wonderful to know Jaime's journey to listening and speech is finally ready to take off.




We have now celebrated four weeks since switch on! Jaime has already begun to show some amazing progress. She has become more vocal with some beautiful new sounds, she has shown joy in dancing with Daddy and recognising music, and I have even caught her happily babbling away to herself whilst playing.
She has also developed a new behaviour in the last few days, a behaviour that excites me to no end- when both devices are removed she will cup her ears as if to ask "where has the sound gone?", she has not done this often, however it excites me that she is clearly noticing a difference!

With spring beginning we have taken the opportunity for Jaime to explore her new world of sound. 
The little things have brought so much joy... Just knowing she can hear the ocean and the birds at the park, the sounds that others take for granted!



Jaime's quiet world still exists, however, now Jaime holds the key to a wonderful world of sound!



Jaime's journey toward sound has been at times hectic and emotional, it has been a great comfort to know we have the support and guidance of the staff at Taralye behind us all the way. I always enjoy our visits to Taralye, the warmth of all the staff make us feel at home with people that understand our journey!



With all the support Taralye has provided Jaime it is time to give back. 
You can help Jaime and other kids with a hearing impairment... How? 
Do you want a night out? A three course meal, all beer, wine and chempagne included? Want to win great prizes and partake in a fun auction? Want a laugh from our fabulous comics?
Then the Loud Shirt Day Ball is the event for you!

I am personally hosting this event and have organised this in my own free time, your support will go a long way to helping Taralye get Deaf kids like Jaime listening and speaking.

We still have tickets available:
Individual tickets $120pp
Or a table of ten for $1000
Please see the poster below for more details
Get your tickets Quick! Ticket sales close at the end of September so DON'T MISS OUT!

If you are unable to attend don't forget to support loud shirt day 
You can become a loud shirt day fundraiser like us or feel free to donate via Jaime's Loud Shirt Day Page: https://loudshirtday2013vic.everydayhero.com/au/Jaime 

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Questions about our journey with sensorineural hearing loss? Or do you have a story of your own to share?