I won't lie, it has been hard having Liam's ears on all the time. Hard because he doesn't want them on and hard because they look so big on his little head. I have to get over it, accept it and move on because the most important thing for Liam is to have access to sound and to teach him speech and not to be self conscious of his bionic ears. How did we get to be a society where appearances matter so much? Any place I take Liam people look at his new set of ears. Is it out of curiosity or are they wondering why my son is different. At times I get angry but then again I think to myself, wouldn't I do the same. I mean wouldn't I be curious too if I saw a child with bionic ears?
We will get through this as a family and I will become stronger as the days and years pass. Liam is perfect in every way shape and form despite being without one of the senses. I often look at him as he is studying a leaf or a bug or a blueberry. He studies things because he can. He doesn't have to hear everything that is around him, instead he takes it all in and dissects life. I often wonder if someday he will say the heck with his implants and that he prefers to be without sound. That will be his choice but for now we will continue to grow together and become stronger than ever.
You never know, but I doubt that he will one day decide he doesn't want to hear. ALL the successful kids and adults I know with implants couldn't imagine not having them on.
ReplyDeleteI have been told by some in the deaf community that my kids might grow up and take them off and be mad at me that I tried to make them into "hearing people." Just looking at Sophie at 8, I highly doubt that's going to happen.
I like your blog by the way.