01/10/2025
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.
