Many moments happen throughout time without giving it a second thought! This time I stopped and realized how grateful I am. Late one evening after a long stressful day back at work, after dinner and just sitting in bed watching the Olympics read the caption without my bilateral cochlear implants. Get the picture! Me in PJs deaf! My husband wanted to ask a question or make a comment, doesn't really matter. The room just glows from the television. We must have had this moment a million times over 20 years together. Times of frustrations and times of lack of communications. What does he do, instead of just stopping and not talking to me or just texting me, he does something so simple and so routine - he turns on the light and talks to me where I can read his lips! Simple and I was able to understand him.
Then my mind pondered, What makes type of partner or parent or even child can accept hearing loss? I came up with one easy answer. A person who sees deep down in your heart and sees the real you! They don't care about turning on a light or translating for you or even removing you from frustration. They learn a new language just to communicate with you. They fight for an appropriate ASL translator, so you know your important enough to have the best. They practice sounds and create time just to help understanding with sounds. They sit in on meetings IEP or others just make sure the best education is available. In short it comes up to two words - LOVE and ACCEPTING. I am thankful for all the times Alex just turns on the light!
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7 comments:
Sounds like you have a great husband! Mine doesn't think twice about turning on the flashlight to talk to me when we are in bed in the dark. . . and has always been very supportive and understanding of my need "get the message" when I miss something. My kids are that way, too, just like your daughter.
Hope you are doing okay. How is your dad?
Hugs, Laurie
they sent dad home today with hospice care. He needs to spend the last bit of time at home.
Is it great to have an understanding family. I hope all is well
with you. The grandbaby is a cutie.
What a beautiful post, and a real testament to your relationship with your husband, and your family. You all will be in my prayers, especially your Dad, during this difficult time. Hope all is well and you find the strength and peace you need.
I only could wish I could find someone with half of the love that you two share. I miss you my dear!
Abbie,
That person is out there for you too. You will find him when you least expect him. Remember he is looking for you too. Whoever you bring into your life will be the luckiest guy on the planet!
Remember Tennessee is a great place to live.
I'm glad that your husband is so understanding of your hearing needs. That shows respect and acceptance.
I can get so tuned into whatever I am doing and don't hear anything else. It's funny when it's the opposite in a noisy setting. :)
I will be thinking of your Dad during this timne. Hope he's comfortable. Take care.
This is really sweet. I never realized until my husband started losing his hearing how much he did for me as the spouse of an HH/deaf person. Now that the shoe is on the other foot it gave me a window into his daily life and I developed a profound appreciation for what he's done for me all these years. Of course, he's seeing things from MY side of the fence too. He never truly understood the frustrations of hearing loss until he started experiencing it himself. Funny. . .
Kim :-)
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