Kay's Update

[Guest guest]

Here is my little update. We've finally completed our move and I've finally

got my office put together enough that it's now functional. Many thanks to

those who have worked " behind the scenes " to keep this list running

smoothly. I couldn't have done it without you.

It's absolutely gorgeous up here in the Washington DC area. JD and I are

truly enjoying watching the fireflies at night (I've never seen them

before), and hearing the birds during the day.

Today was JD's first day in his new school/10th grade. After having lived in

a state where they fight you tooth and nail for what you want (at least the

2 school districts I dealt with did), I'm thrilled to be able to report that

so far this one is the exact opposite - of course that may be due in part to

my reputation. When we walked in for the 504 meeting, I had all our files in

a bag with the Listen-Up! logo on it. The audiologist asked if we visited

the Listen-Up! site often and JD answered, " My mom IS Listen-Up! " You

should have seen how excited the audiologist was to meet " Mrs. Listen-Up! "

;-)

Everything JD and I asked for was included in the 504 and they actually

suggested I take a day or two to think about it before I sign. When I met to

sign it, I mentioned that I had forgotten to include something (a notetaker

for JD), it was added without question and without the rest of the team

being there. I would be happy with just the 504 plan, but the audiologist

suggested that she and the others involved with JD at school watch him at

school for a short time, and then we'll all get together again to discuss if

JD needs formal testing, what tests, and if he needs an IEP plan. The

audiologist also wants to try a couple of different things in the hopes that

she can go with a wireless FM system that will work with both JD's hearing

aid and implant.

Our insurance is having JD go to Walter Medical Center (on the 5th) for

mapping his 3G - having problems getting a good map on that one, so we'll

start from scratch on it. He's actually gone back to wearing the ESPrit 24

because when he plugs his 3G into his computer, game-boy, or TV, the sound

cuts out when it hits a certain volume. I don't think it's the cords because

we've had problems in the past with not being able to hear with the earbud

on it either - and we've tried a different processor. Anyway, the map on his

ESPrit is over a year old and could use some minor 'tweaking', but it still

works pretty good.

I had a blast at the AVI conference in Baltimore in July. I only went to 2

of the classes they offered, but I was so busy that I wouldn't have had a

chance to fit in anything else.

Today is the first day I've been able to sit down at my computer to try to

" catch-up " and I find I have 3003 messages waiting for me. The very first

message I read today contained some very sad news - the death of Dr.

Ling.

http://www.lingnotes.com/obituary.shtml

Well, time to read more of my email to see what adventures await me.

Hugs to all,

-Kay