02/10/2023
My mom tells the story: When I was a few years old she was crying and I asked what was wrong. She told me she wished that I didn't have do deal with my hearing loss, that if she could take it for me she would. In my apparent child wisdom, I responded "Maybe I was meant to be this way."
I see you parents: mothers, fathers, aunties, uncles, grandparents, Godparents, caretakers, mentors and teachers. You have all of my respect and love. You are the village, the support, the foundation on which your children stand.
💕You're navigating parenthood simultaneously learning how to troubleshoot devices that you've never used yourself.
💕You deal with batteries dying and a child who might not be able to tell you so.
💕You catch your breath any time your child doesn't answer in fear that their hearing might have dropped again.
💕You think ahead of time packing back-up batteries, double-sided tape, battery testers, retention lines and microphone covers in addition to snacks, diapers, wipes and extra clothes.
💕You coordinate around speech therapy, audiology and ENT appointments on top of regular pediatrician visits.
💕You cry when the wait to see the ENT is 2-3 months out or when your brain is too full that you miss an annual appointment.
💕You cry at night wishing you could take on this challenge/hardship on for your child so that they could have an easier time.
💕You're trying to balance it all, learning about a world and culture that you yourself have never truly experienced.
I see you and can feel your invisible burden.
ID: Navy Text, "Invisible Load Of Having A DHH Child." Small images of: Batteries, ENT examining patient, large ear with small person fixing the hearing aid attached to it, mom holding daughter's hands and talking face to face, a questioning dad on computer, busy mom juggling baby, work, cooking, pets, etc, mom superhero, child sitting with CI, big eyes, unsure mom with playing child, speech therapist, school building