Re: AG Bell conference feelings

June 28, 2006

Mara,

Are you in the support group in the triangle area? Or are you in

another part of the state? So sad to hear about the death of the mom

and child.

Elaine in Raleigh

June 28, 2006

Mara, where are you in NC? We are in Columbus County.

So sorry to hear about the mother and her child--how tragic.

Robin T. in NC

>

> I don't tend to write on the list, mostly lurk really, but my husband

> and I

> went to the Conference (we just got back from our drive home) and I wanted

> to share a few thoughts. At the opening session, the teen group did a skit

> showing how they can do anything they want regardless of the hearing loss.

> It was full of funny lines but I sobbed through the whole thing. I was

> just

> so touched by how well they were doing and how 'typical' and happy they

> were!

>

> I got to meet a mom whose name I've seen on the listserv and that was just

> wonderful. It was fun to connect with someone you feel like you know just

> b/c you've read your email! (Thanks Deganit).

>

> I loved learning about all the new technology - what is out now and what

> is

> coming. My daughter is only 2 and already her hearing aids while good are

> not the newest hi-tech deal out there. I feel really optimistic about what

> the future in hearing aids holds (and CIs if she goes that route someday).

> Of course, I stuffed my bags with endless pens, cups, keychains, etc and

> am

> now wondering why! You kind of get carried away in those exhibit halls.

>

> Finally, I learned so much. I went to some really good speakers -

> highlights for me were Carol Flexer's talks (I only knew to go hear her

> b/c

> of this listserv) and one from Clinic's staff on play and

> social

> interactions (tips on how to help our kids socially).

>

> It was very powerful being there surrounded by people who knew what I was

> feeling and going through as a mom. Professionals who cared enough to go

> into this field and to keep their knowledge current. And deaf and hard of

> hearing adults who were living their lives happily and successfully.

>

> On a totally different and very tragic note, I came home to really

> horrible

> news. We are part of a family support group for parents of kids with HL.

> One of our moms and her two year old son died this weekend in a car

> accident. Life is so fleeting and I am so grateful for my family, friends,

> the parent group here in North Carolina, and all of you.

>

> Mara

>

> (mom of Ally, 2 yo, HA)

>

June 29, 2006

Mara - I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of the mom and child in your

group - how awful!

I'm so glad you got to go to AG Bell! I remember going to our first

e mainstream conference. It's held yearly in Springfield Mass and

is excellent - and affordable! There are scholarships available usually

for first-time parents to the conference. I think I cried the entire

time - it hit home! Luterman and Donna Sorkin were the two

keynote speakers and the " famous speaker " at the end of Day 2 was Curtis

Pride. What a story he has to tell! I remember just sobbing through

his whole talk thinking that surely my boys could also lead happy,

productive lives. It was so great so meet other Listen-up parents and

to get to talk to vendors - as a parent, we usually aren't able to do

that... I'm glad it was good for you!

Hugs,

Barbara

marabd wrote:

> I don't tend to write on the list, mostly lurk really, but my husband and I

> went to the Conference (we just got back from our drive home) and I wanted

> to share a few thoughts. At the opening session, the teen group did a skit

> showing how they can do anything they want regardless of the hearing loss.

> It was full of funny lines but I sobbed through the whole thing. I was just

> so touched by how well they were doing and how 'typical' and happy they

> were!

>

> I got to meet a mom whose name I've seen on the listserv and that was just

> wonderful. It was fun to connect with someone you feel like you know just

> b/c you've read your email! (Thanks Deganit).

>

> I loved learning about all the new technology - what is out now and what is

> coming. My daughter is only 2 and already her hearing aids while good are

> not the newest hi-tech deal out there. I feel really optimistic about what

> the future in hearing aids holds (and CIs if she goes that route someday).

> Of course, I stuffed my bags with endless pens, cups, keychains, etc and am

> now wondering why! You kind of get carried away in those exhibit halls.

>

> Finally, I learned so much. I went to some really good speakers -

> highlights for me were Carol Flexer's talks (I only knew to go hear her b/c

> of this listserv) and one from Clinic's staff on play and social

> interactions (tips on how to help our kids socially).

>

> It was very powerful being there surrounded by people who knew what I was

> feeling and going through as a mom. Professionals who cared enough to go

> into this field and to keep their knowledge current. And deaf and hard of

> hearing adults who were living their lives happily and successfully.

>

> On a totally different and very tragic note, I came home to really horrible

> news. We are part of a family support group for parents of kids with HL.

> One of our moms and her two year old son died this weekend in a car

> accident. Life is so fleeting and I am so grateful for my family, friends,

> the parent group here in North Carolina, and all of you.

>

> Mara

>

> (mom of Ally, 2 yo, HA)

>

June 29, 2006

I live in Durham, NC and yes, we attend the Hitch-up (Hearing impaired

children and teens have unlimited potential) group that meets in Raleigh.

One nice part of the group is that the audiology students at our local

university volunteer and provide childcare at the meeting (once a month).

We use UNC for our audiology/ENT so I've been glad to see how well it's been

going for Robin (I think!) with Pat Roush and Dr. Buchman. We love them

both and have seen them since my daughter was identified at birth.

We are going to the visitation today for the mom/son who passed away in the

car accident. I can't stop looking at my daughter/husband and feeling so

sad for this dad. His little son wore HA and was only a few days apart in

age from my daughter.

Thanks to the group for 'listening' to my thoughts on the conference. It

was a lovely experience and maybe we can make it to a e conference next

time.

Mara

Re: AG Bell conference feelings

Mara - I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of the mom and child in your

group - how awful!

I'm so glad you got to go to AG Bell! I remember going to our first

e mainstream conference. It's held yearly in Springfield Mass and

is excellent - and affordable! There are scholarships available usually

for first-time parents to the conference. I think I cried the entire

time - it hit home! Luterman and Donna Sorkin were the two

keynote speakers and the " famous speaker " at the end of Day 2 was Curtis

Pride. What a story he has to tell! I remember just sobbing through

his whole talk thinking that surely my boys could also lead happy,

productive lives. It was so great so meet other Listen-up parents and

to get to talk to vendors - as a parent, we usually aren't able to do

that... I'm glad it was good for you!

Hugs,

Barbara

marabd wrote:

> I don't tend to write on the list, mostly lurk really, but my husband and

I

> went to the Conference (we just got back from our drive home) and I wanted

> to share a few thoughts. At the opening session, the teen group did a skit

> showing how they can do anything they want regardless of the hearing loss.

> It was full of funny lines but I sobbed through the whole thing. I was

just

> so touched by how well they were doing and how 'typical' and happy they

> were!

>

> I got to meet a mom whose name I've seen on the listserv and that was just

> wonderful. It was fun to connect with someone you feel like you know just

> b/c you've read your email! (Thanks Deganit).

>

> I loved learning about all the new technology - what is out now and what

is

> coming. My daughter is only 2 and already her hearing aids while good are

> not the newest hi-tech deal out there. I feel really optimistic about what

> the future in hearing aids holds (and CIs if she goes that route someday).

> Of course, I stuffed my bags with endless pens, cups, keychains, etc and

am

> now wondering why! You kind of get carried away in those exhibit halls.

>

> Finally, I learned so much. I went to some really good speakers -

> highlights for me were Carol Flexer's talks (I only knew to go hear her

b/c

> of this listserv) and one from Clinic's staff on play and

social

> interactions (tips on how to help our kids socially).

>

> It was very powerful being there surrounded by people who knew what I was

> feeling and going through as a mom. Professionals who cared enough to go

> into this field and to keep their knowledge current. And deaf and hard of

> hearing adults who were living their lives happily and successfully.

>

> On a totally different and very tragic note, I came home to really

horrible

> news. We are part of a family support group for parents of kids with HL.

> One of our moms and her two year old son died this weekend in a car

> accident. Life is so fleeting and I am so grateful for my family, friends,

> the parent group here in North Carolina, and all of you.

>

> Mara

>

> (mom of Ally, 2 yo, HA)

>

June 29, 2006

In a message dated 6/28/2006 10:58:30 P.M. Central Standard Time,

marabd@... writes:

One of our moms and her two year old son died this weekend in a car

accident.

Oh how sad.

Putz

Illinois Families for Hands & Voices

_www.handsandvoices.org_ (http://www.handsandvoices.org/)

_www.ilhandsandvoices.org_ (http://www.ilhandsandvoices.org/)

Email: support@...

June 29, 2006

I wonder if that is the funeral Pat Roush is attending later today. So

sad! We are going to see one of the other audiologists today for Sydney's

fitting . . . maaaaaaaaaybe . . . they don't think the molds are in. We're

sitting on standby this very minute . . . waiting for another call. I sure

wish Chapel Hill was closer.

>

> Mara - I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of the mom and child in your

>

> group - how awful!

>

> I'm so glad you got to go to AG Bell! I remember going to our first

> e mainstream conference. It's held yearly in Springfield Mass and

> is excellent - and affordable! There are scholarships available usually

> for first-time parents to the conference. I think I cried the entire

> time - it hit home! Luterman and Donna Sorkin were the two

> keynote speakers and the " famous speaker " at the end of Day 2 was Curtis

> Pride. What a story he has to tell! I remember just sobbing through

> his whole talk thinking that surely my boys could also lead happy,

> productive lives. It was so great so meet other Listen-up parents and

> to get to talk to vendors - as a parent, we usually aren't able to do

> that... I'm glad it was good for you!

>

> Hugs,

> Barbara

>

> marabd wrote:

> > I don't tend to write on the list, mostly lurk really, but my husband

> and I

> > went to the Conference (we just got back from our drive home) and I

> wanted

> > to share a few thoughts. At the opening session, the teen group did a

> skit

> > showing how they can do anything they want regardless of the hearing

> loss.

> > It was full of funny lines but I sobbed through the whole thing. I was

> just

> > so touched by how well they were doing and how 'typical' and happy they

> > were!

> >

> > I got to meet a mom whose name I've seen on the listserv and that was

> just

> > wonderful. It was fun to connect with someone you feel like you know

> just

> > b/c you've read your email! (Thanks Deganit).

> >

> > I loved learning about all the new technology - what is out now and what

> is

> > coming. My daughter is only 2 and already her hearing aids while good

> are

> > not the newest hi-tech deal out there. I feel really optimistic about

> what

> > the future in hearing aids holds (and CIs if she goes that route

> someday).

> > Of course, I stuffed my bags with endless pens, cups, keychains, etc and

> am

> > now wondering why! You kind of get carried away in those exhibit halls.

> >

> > Finally, I learned so much. I went to some really good speakers -

> > highlights for me were Carol Flexer's talks (I only knew to go hear her

> b/c

> > of this listserv) and one from Clinic's staff on play and

> social

> > interactions (tips on how to help our kids socially).

> >

> > It was very powerful being there surrounded by people who knew what I

> was

> > feeling and going through as a mom. Professionals who cared enough to go

> > into this field and to keep their knowledge current. And deaf and hard

> of

> > hearing adults who were living their lives happily and successfully.

> >

> > On a totally different and very tragic note, I came home to really

> horrible

> > news. We are part of a family support group for parents of kids with HL.

> > One of our moms and her two year old son died this weekend in a car

> > accident. Life is so fleeting and I am so grateful for my family,

> friends,

> > the parent group here in North Carolina, and all of you.

> >

> > Mara

> >

> > (mom of Ally, 2 yo, HA)

> >

June 29, 2006

>

> I live in Durham, NC and yes, we attend the Hitch-up (Hearing impaired

> children and teens have unlimited potential) group that meets in

Raleigh.

>>>>>

I live in Raleigh but have never went to the meeting. Jake is 12 now.

We used Pat when she was at Duke but we left and went to UNC for the CI

eval because Duke was not cooperating with us. We use Dr. Pillsbury

and the CCCDP CI program audiologists.

Do many older kids parents come to the meetings?

I will be thinking of you in this time of sadness.

Hugs,

Elaine

June 29, 2006

I to went to the conference. The amount of info I learned was amazing, I am so

glad I went. I ended up purchasing the dry and store. The only thing that I

would change was that I arrived on Sat night (eventually after long delays) and

missed all the opening meet and greets. Though I had some conversations I feel

that I would have liked to meet some more parents.