For anyone and everyone living deaf ~ I am proud of you all! Thank you for welcoming each other into your worlds, and I’m excited for what is ahead in all of our vibrant lives.
My Cochlear Implant Journey – Frank Barnes III. CI Experiences Project (April 21st, 2015)
My cochlear implant/sound processor hearing device was gifted to me at 22 months of age and now at 22 years of age I am continuing to thrive and live connected to the world through all of my senses.
Continuing to meet the magnificent people who are the device engineers, clinical audiologists, customer service responders, recipient community outreach specialists, and manufacturing technicians has truly been amazing! They are all heroes aacross my life, championing to provide us with our CI’s.
It is astonishing to witness the technical completion by hand of the construction of the sound processors, piece by critical piece. I continue to witness the behind-the-scenes efforts that go into a significant aspect of who I am every day.Â
There is gracious dedication and empathy exercised time and time again by the community of the deaf/hard of hearing. The education and collaboration of support is profound teamwork.
In reflection of a scholarship reception that I attended with the Hearing Loss Association of New Jersey four years ago. I had remarked to the collective audience that I used to perceive my CI as a burden with much disdain, and I had been actively absent from involvement within the community of AB recipients. Certainly this statement fairly caught people off-guard. Evidently as with today, I clarified that those feelings of old were no longer. I’m absolutely thrilled to be connected by friendships, and I have much gratitude and appreciation for the CI community at-large!Â
(#cochlear_implants #deaf #lifestyle )