Remembering the Day of the Diagnosis

When my daughter was diagnosed with a profound bilateral hearing loss (110 decibal loss in each ear), I was relieved. Ok, let me back up.

I had been observing her peculiar behaviors for months. I had three in diapers (she is a twin). Because of my past work finding jobs for handicapped adults, I was familiar with deafness. I wasn't completely sure it was a hearing loss we were dealing with.

She made noises that sounded like Mama, Dada, etc.. but her eyes were so wide open in all the photos I took. In hindsight, I knew she was "hearing" with her eyes - trying to see behind her.
She played apart from the boys (I thought it was becasue they kept stealing her pacifyer). She constantly rubbed the tablecloth and drapes across her cheeks (she was seeking stimulation).

My fear was that she was autistic or mildly retarded. I was relieved it was just hearing. I thought we could deal with that. Every disability has its hardships, and nothing worth fighting for is easy.

Be of courage!