Re: Bonnie Vanilla Deaf-Patty

[Guest guest]

Hi Bonnie,

I am so overjoyed and grateful that Patty has found community. I know how

long and hard you've

searched for that for her. Of course, I'll be excited to hear where this

wonderful

commraderie exists, but will wait till you have time to elaborate.

--

On a side note, the contact Iooking for doctors wanted a neurologist, not

neuro psych.

My bad. Anyone to suggest? I know she is needing to move on from Dr.

Coulter at Perkins.

---

Will you take the summer off from school?

---

Again, I'm so, so happy for Patty, and for you.

;-)

in Ma.

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[Guest guest]

,

I'm not sure about a neurologist. Where I work I can find great answers.

I'll get back to you when I do.

As for where Patty is finding life she started with Deaf Inc. a used

to work there when we lived in CT. Small world huh! Under that, or however

it is, she then went to DB CAN - Deaf Blind Community Access Network. From

that Patty was given an SSP which is a support service provider. She gets 16

hours a month. Her provider is a man who is also deaf and has been

wonderful in opening the deaf world up to her. Once a month Patty goes to a

deaf

social and once a month she goes to a deaf coffee hour? Oh I forget what it's

called. But what's important is the people are around her own age. Many are

vanilla deaf but do not care in the least about what Patty has other than

being just Patty.

Along with that we are joining other programs. We've been members of the

American Foundation for the Blind for years. We are now also joining the

National Association of the Deaf and the MA State Association for the Deaf.

Along with that Patty's new case manager under MA Commission of the Deaf

Blind is in fact a man who is also deaf. I would try to get him as your

daughters case manager. This man has been great. He's on top of things and

is

moving forward. She's only had him for a month or two but so far he's done

more than the other did for years. Stay away from her.

You should also check out Easter Seals. Make sure you check out Boston and

not Worcester. It was actually the Grobski's that lead us to them. You can

check out Pat's participation at

_http://ma.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=MADR_JTEPHaggerty_

(http://ma.easterseals.com/site/PageServer?pagename=MADR_JTEPHaggerty)

Oh, and Patty's going to be participating in Outdoor Explorations again.

Like I said, I'll get back to you about the neurologist.

Bonnie, Mom to Kris 23, Patty CHARGE 21 and wife to

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[Guest guest]

Thanks Bonnie,

Never even heard of Deaf Inc. We are with DB-CAN, but never done anything

with them.

Even if we have to work in the quarries with a toothpick for a shovel, there

comes the day we turn over the right rock. Hallelujah.

I've forgotten what the doctor said last time as the cause of her continuing

hearing loss.

I do remember no baha?? I'm thinking of Ellen as well having continuing

loss.

Tell Patty I love her profile page-very impressive. She's a great

representer of

CHARGE adult life, with her desire to learn, achieve, be independent, and

have fun

along the way.

;-)

in Ma.

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[Guest guest]

,

Patty's hearing loss has been due to chronic ear and sinus infections.

Patty is totally deaf in the left. On the right she was around 50 db dropping

at

1500 to 2000 right off the chart due to a sensory neural loss. Patty had a

canal wall down surgery on the right last year with great success. She's

only had 1 ear infection since. She used to have at least 6 a year. The doctor

who went in says no BAHA as he's seen inside and says it won't benefit her

due to her complicated structures. Another doctor says maybe. I'll let Patty

decide this one. Right now she's at 70. If she stays there we'll be fine.

If she looses more, then well see. She tried a bone conduction aid twice now.

She says it feels funny and disturbs her. I don't know what she means but

that's Patty.

By the way, yes Patty is inspirational, she's smart, funny, beautiful, has

great determination and is incredibly independent. But more than that you are

right; the definition of Patty is FUN!

Thanks for your kind words of her.

Bonnie, Mom to Kris 23, Patty CHARGE 21 and wife to

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