Wednesday, June 16, 2010

All in a day's outing.


Recently Savanah and I have ran into several children with cochlear implants. This is such a neat experience for her, since most of the time, the people you see with hearing devices are older and have hearing aids. So to see another child have a cochlear implant automatically connects you to them! And we have no problem talking to the family or the child, in fact, if they are in earshot, we do every time.

Kids who have cochlear implants are bonded. It's not like that if you wear glasses or anything, but these kids have been through the ringer. They are learning something so new and yes, even though we won't publicly announce it to them on a daily basis, they are a little bit different, definitely a little more special. Savanah beams with pride when she meets a family with a child who also has a cochlear implant and I beam even more when I get to show how wonderfully Savanah is doing with her speech and language.

We have come to know that every child who recieves a cochlear implant reacts differently. Some progress faster, some regress. The outcomes are all so different. These children are all so unique in their own ways. What may work for one, may not work for the other. But all in all, it is such a neat experience to talk with a family, or a mother, or just the child, for a moment, and walk away from that moment feeling relieved other people go through this process as well.

So even if you don't have a cochlear implant, but you see someone who does. . . why don't you stop them. Let them know you know a bit about those! Ask them how they are liking it. It probably would make their day, it definitely makes Savanah's!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

We did IT!


We took a STAND and RAISED AWARENESS to STOP CMV!

We had a pretty good turnout for the lemonade stand. I was impressed with the people who really went out of there way for myself and Savanah to stop by. THANK YOU to THOSE of YOU who SUPPORTED us! I also am so grateful for friends, not just ordinary friends, but friends who dedicated hours and an entire day for this cause. THANK YOU, YOU ARE TRULY AMAZING PEOPLE and one person, specifically, went above and beyond the call of duty and you know who you are!

Ever since we found out Savanah was deaf, I have tried to be an advocate for her. I want people to be aware of her condition, and her cochlear implant, and her abilities and this virus. I have wanted people to know that she is just like any other child, and to please always treat her that way. I have wanted to make the difference, not only just in her life but the lives of others. I think we somewhat accomplished that on Saturday.

We may not have raised our goal for fundraising, we may have GALLONS and GALLONS of lemonade leftover, but the main goal was reached. We raised AWARENESS for people in this valley of ours and my promise and commitment to STOP CMV is that I will continue to raise awarness with OB offices across this county so that pregnant women will finally be aware of this devastating virus.

TAKE a STAND to STOP CMV! Also if you have not done so. . . go to the website and upload your photos for the HAND C!AMPAIGN

Saturday, June 5, 2010

It's TODAY!


HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!