One Year of Hearing

Today marks one year since Logan's cochlear implants were turned on. It has been quite an exciting  journey so far and it is hard to believe that we are still only at the very beginning. This first year has been marked with so many milestones achieved that I can't even begin to express how grateful we are for Logan's ears.  It has changed his whole world and gave him the gift of sound.  I can't help but smile and my heart fills with joy every time he tries to say a new word and when he hears music, he smiles and starts dancing.  This is something a parent of a child born profoundly deaf would truly understand. 

Today we had his annual review with his Early Childhood Intervention teachers.  We did a language assessment and it was awesome to be able to see on paper how much he has progressed in the last year.  At his annual review last year, which was about a week after his ears were turned on, he had very little language and produced few sounds. One year later, he is trying to say new words every day, imitating words he overhears in conversations and is starting to try 2 word sentences.  He also was released from physical therapy since his motor skills are now age appropriate!

In reflecting upon the last 2 years, how we were devastated when Logan was diagnosed as profoundly deaf, we waited to find out if he would get cochlear implants, and then we waited to see how he would adapt to them.  We were unsure of what the future would hold for him.  We are thankful everyday for this awesome technology that has made it possible for Logan to have as normal a childhood and life as we can make it. He won't have to struggle trying to communicate with people because he will be able to use his voice and speak for himself.  And this is something that we would not be able to do without the wonderful knowledge and support from our family, friends, therapists, and doctors.