An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Implant Story

CI Parents' Choice Medical Professionals: And Yours?
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear I asked the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Circle for a list of speakers: Medical Professionals who "get" the Parental Support Component of Intervention, and would like to post the names. Parents attend conferences, meetings, classes, groups, etc. to become more informed on issues regarding their child's (children's) deafness. So, I would like to give credit where credit ...
Tech Mon, Jul 07 2008 hide this blog

Making the System Just a Little Bit Better
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Amy Cohen Effron left the following comment on my post "To Implant or Not To Implant a Child Who Has Never Been Amplified:"Same here, and our challenge still lies:How can we effectively communicate to the parents that their 'expectations' are unrealistic, and how can we help the parents to embrace the child's unique differences?It happens a lot. Research done by...
Language Tech Thu, Jul 03 2008 hide this blog

To Implant or Not To Implant a Child Who Has Never Been...
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Do you or do you not give the okay for a cochlear implant to a child over age 7 who has never been exposed to any form of amplification? Good question. My answer: NO. I spoke to an audiologist at the Gala Dinner of the NHS 2008 Conference and her answer was a resounding "Maybe." The gentleman sitting next to me, who worked for Advanced Bionics agreed with me.We were d...
Tech Wed, Jul 02 2008 hide this blog

Mother Fights System to Get Help For Deaf Son
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Mother Fights System to Get Help For Deaf SonBy Brian WalzelEditor Published in the Tomball Magnolia TRIBUNEThe hours after a baby is born are supposed to be filled with happiness and elation, not shock and disbelief. Babies should be crying in their mother’s arms, not being run through a battery of tests. But that was recently the case for a local mother and her husb...
Tech Legal Tue, Jul 01 2008 hide this blog

Auditory Neuropathy Spectrum and Parent-Parent Support
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Hold onto your pants, I'm about to get scientific...at least I'm going to try *smile* One of the major components of NHS 2008 was a consensus meeting on Auditory Neuropathy. Auditory Neuropathy is a variety of hearing loss in which the outer hair cells within the cochlea are present and functional, but sound information is not faithfully transmitted to the auditory ne...
Thu, Jun 26 2008 hide this blog

RE: The Time is NOW!!!!!
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear I just got home and found all of your comments. I have a little story to tell about WHY I posted this video *smile* As you either know or don't know, I just gave a speech at the NHS 2008 Conference in Cernobbio (Lake Como) Italy. I have about five different posts to post about this conference because UNBELIEVABLE things happened, I mean out of control amazing things h...
Language Tech Sat, Jun 21 2008 hide this blog

The Time is Now
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Having the time of my life...for now, enjoy this one!
Language Art and Storytelling Fri, Jun 20 2008 hide this blog

It Takes a Village: Meet Chief Rachel
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Rachel Chaikof flashed first...boils down to that. And, as we all know I am a huge fan of every single member of the Deaf Village Staff (Paotie's name is HOT and rather manly) I never cease to be amazed by the strength of friendships created by means of internet, even big MAC came out of retirement to support Rachel. Elizabeth got bitchy and aggressive, which I ...
Tech Culture Mon, Jun 09 2008 hide this blog

More on the Rachel Situation and Balls
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear I'm still so pissed off I can barely make my fingers click the damn keyboard. SEE ABBIE'S Blog, she said everything I would like to say and more. So, now, I'd like to discuss balls...big, hairy fat ones. I have discussed the concept in my blog in reference to my driving maternal desire for my own son to grow himself a fine set. Rachel has a strong voice, but she is st...
Culture Wed, Jun 04 2008 hide this blog

Deafread.com Silences a Strong Deaf Voice- My Response
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear IF THERE IS ONE THING I CANNOT STAND IT IS HYPOCRISY. A STRONG, OUTSPOKEN YOUNG DEAF WOMAN WITH SO MUCH TO TEACH, WHO IS WILLING TO LISTEN TO THE DEAF COMMUNITY HAS JUST BEEN...SILENCED BY DEAFREAD.COM. RACHEL'S BLOG STIMULATES DIALOGUE, ENCOURAGES REFLECTION OF DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES, ASSERTS A CHOICE IN DEAFNESS WITH A PASSION AND EDUCATES NOT ONLY A GROWING POPULATIO...
Tue, Jun 03 2008 hide this blog

When Listening to the Child Requires Choosing ASL
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Posted by a mom on the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Circle:My daughter is not a stellar oral child. She is 5 and lipreads a few phrases andspeaks with all her signs but it is mostly unintelligible. Our difference isthat our implant team refuses to do a CI unless we completely drop ASL...werefuse. (I had never heard this before and was kind of surprised.)My only insight ...
Culture Fri, May 30 2008 hide this blog

For Hearing Aid or CI Users: Music Links for Your Ipod
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear This product may not be new to many, but it is the first time I've seen it, so I'm blogging on it for other latecomers like myself. Apparently, Music Links works well with hearing aids and Cochlear Implants and is an alternative to ugly headphones that don't really provide good sound quality. Since Music Links has been working its way through my support groups and the...
Tech Thu, May 29 2008 hide this blog

Emmy Nominee - Rachel Coleman's Response
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Rachel Coleman wrote:The Emmy's are for television shows. The Oscars are for movies. There are deaf themed shows as well as deaf actors who have been nominated and won these awards. I agree let's see more mainstream deaf performers and media so that the deaf can be recognized! You wouldn't believe how hard it was for us to get ASL on public television. Many stations f...
Media Art and Storytelling Culture Tue, May 27 2008 hide this blog

The First 16 Months with a Deaf Baby...Christina
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Today is Christian's CI Activation Day(From Christina's Blog four days ago...)I've been reflecting a lot on these past 16 months with Christian. It's amazing to think that these 16 months with him have gone by so incredibly fast. We have had SO much to deal with, just as new parents. The first couple of months were the hardest. I remember feeling angry at other parent...
Tech Culture Tue, May 27 2008 hide this blog

Hey DEAF Boy! Bullies...Jordan, Rachel and Hearing Moms'...
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear "Get ready DEAF-BOY...forget about the curveballs; let's see if you can handle some heat!"..."By the way, don't ever call me DEAF-BOY again." These two sentences from RALLY CAPS, that my son can finally read, had a profound impact on Jordan. While playing a game of Go Fish with Sofia and Jordan, Sofia looked at Jordan and said, "Jordan, I asked if you had a monkey......
Audism Culture Sun, May 25 2008 hide this blog

Oh, Your Child is Deaf, I'm SO SORRY...
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Fuck you? Here's my foot, wanna see it up your ass? Ignorant bitch? Nooooooooo, we must bite our tongues and educate. Do you know how many times I was given a look of Pity when I told a person my son was Deaf? Can you even imagine the Anger? Yes, I am quite sure You can. I was asked the question, Deaf or Not-Deaf: Who is the more qualified Parent? Just like my compari...
Language Audism Tech Thu, May 22 2008 hide this blog

Deaf or Not-Deaf: Who is the More Qualified ASL Teacher?
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Ahhh. Finally, a really GOOD weekend. I've been meaning to respond to the comments left on my post about deafread.com's oversight in posting Karen Putz's Blog on Rachel Coleman's Emmy Nomination. I'm kind of proud of myself because my first reaction was to "go off" regarding the importance of Signing Time for hearing mothers of deaf children. Then, strangely, I took a...
Language Education Tue, May 20 2008 hide this blog

Deafread.com Editors: I Think I'm a Little Confused
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Why was the news of Rachel Coleman's Emmy Nomination NOT considered important enough to be on the main Blogs page? *Pissed off*My blog has been posted on deafread.com for the past six months and the ONE consistent message I continue receiving is TEACH YOUR KID ASL! Please explain why Rachel Coleman's (one of my favorite inspirational moms)EMMY NOMINATION was left on t...
Media Language Culture Wed, May 14 2008 hide this blog

Italy ROCKS! NHS 2008...Here I Come!!!
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Oh, oh, where to begin! I think my head may just explode. First of all, my guardian angels of Cochlear Italia decided that they would let me, as a courtesy, be a part of their exhibition at NHS 2008, but they told me I was not allowed to talk...hmmm. They said I could promote RALLY CAPS in Italian and English and speak to the physicians present, but I could not talk. ...
Media Mon, May 12 2008 hide this blog

Dear Medical Professionals...
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Placing your child in the hands of other people and having to trust these people with your child is the most difficult thing for a mother. When life requires that you ask for the help and support of persons outside of the family, you suddenly find yourself in an extremely vulnerable position. Finding professionals willing to offer all of their efforts and competencies...
Media Education Tech Thu, May 08 2008 hide this blog

Requesting Help From Deafread.com and Anyone Reading
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Okay. I just found out about this Conference - NHS 2008 that is being held in Cernobbio (Lake Como, where George Clooney has a place:))from June 19-21st - I'm a little late. I am DYING to go and SPEAK! But, if I can't speak, I would settle for going. Does anyone know anyone who could get me in there??? All I have to do is hop on a train!This was their call for Abstrac...
Language Education Tech Mon, May 05 2008 hide this blog

RA RA RACHELLLLLL and Elizabeth!!!!!
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Breaking out my pom-poms for the second day in a row!!!!! Hurricane Rachel Strikes Again!-Along with her highly motivational co-blogging companion and friend, Elizabeth whose posts enlighten me every single time regarding the perspective of a sensitive, intuitive Auditory-Verbal Therapist.*Rachel*Eight months ago when the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Circle announced it...
Language Tech Thu, May 01 2008 hide this blog

Cover Girl ABBIE Rocks!!!
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Not only is Abbie a hot, thong wearing, french manicure sporting princess, she is an intelligent advocate of Cochlear Implants. *AND...*She has just had her first article published which is a conglomeration of some of her blog-posts. Read it HERE. (must see her eighth grade picture! So cute!!) Abbie's writing style has been known to attract adoring women and goggling ...
Media Tech Wed, Apr 30 2008 hide this blog

Is Deafness a DISEASE??? *WTF*
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Just in case anyone had any doubts, I have learned a lot in these past months as a deafread.com reader and blogger. I have absorbed a great deal of intensity from staunch ASL supporters, pain from deaf adults with CIs who feel rejected by the Deaf community, resounding pride expressed by CI sporters demanding validation and passion from commenters ready to fight it ou...
Audism Tech Culture Mon, Apr 28 2008 hide this blog

CI Activation - 9 Month Old Hunter AND CI CIRCLE Sends Two...
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Just got home from the movies and I was already in a good mood after watching SAAAAAAMOKIN' Matthew McConaughey for two hours, when I saw this posted on the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Circle:CI Circle members bought enough products from my Cafe Press designsthat 2 children are going to get scholarships to the 13th AnnualCochlear Implant Summer Listening Camp (a week l...
Tech Sat, Apr 26 2008 hide this blog

Shocked!
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear *Paotie, hold onto your Snoopy tattoo* Well, this just confirms it! Moms of deaf kids with cochlear implants are hot! If you are a hot young woman who has not yet had kids, watch out, your child will most likely be born deaf, destined for a ci. (Just add "hot mom" to the list of causes of deafness) *smile* As anyone who has ever read this blog knows, I am obsessed wit...
Language Tech Wed, Apr 23 2008 hide this blog

CI Kids Observations Part II
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear mishkazena said... What that man shared is more realistic. Not all deaf kids with cochlear implants have the same opportunities as Rachel and other kids, including yours. The C.I. is only a tool and it can be used to maximize the potential of the child's ability to hear and speak or be underutilized. There are many factors that determine the outcome of each child's c....
Tech Thu, Apr 17 2008 hide this blog

Observations of CI Kids...And 8 mo.-old CI Activation
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Occasionally, people prefer to comment by sending me private emails and one gentleman has sent me quite a few. He has provided me with an interesting perspective on various topics and for that I am grateful. I wished to share this latest email, which he gave me permission to post. I would like to read your comments before I comment. Are these observations biased or un...
Language Education Tech Wed, Apr 16 2008 hide this blog

More on Lance Allred- NBA (This Guy is AMAZING!)
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear "Borrowed" once again from Josh Swiller who wrote, "About the first deaf player in the NBA. Smart as a whip, yet his old coach had him tested for learning disabilities. Sound familiar to anyone?"Cavalier Lance Allred never plays. But what other rookie grew up in a cult and is writing a Jane Austen satire?By Caleb Hannan Published: March 26, 2008 Walter Novak Wally Sz...
Media Culture Tue, Apr 15 2008 hide this blog

FAITH
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear I so wasn't planning on posting today, however, I started reading my regular blogs and once again, Christina's really touched me. Her post reminded me of something that happened to me during the hearing aid years. First, read her post:Love Letter I spent much of this morning trying to focus on my work, while Christian played with our sweet sitter Arina. It was a bit c...
Language Tech Mon, Apr 14 2008 hide this blog

Sibling Rivalry on Deafread.com *smile*
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear My kids have been driving me crazy today and just hearing them bicker back and forth brought the comments left on the Blog Comments Reveal Misconceptions with Regard to Cochlear Implants post to mind. Just like my kids are siblings, deaf individuals are siblings. The bond between my kids created by living their tragic lives as MY kids *smile* is what defines their co...
Tech Culture Sat, Apr 12 2008 hide this blog

Ellie's Story...Bilateral Cochlear Implants
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Ellie's mom posted this activation video on the Pediatric Ci Circle and I asked her for permission to share it with all of you. She generously granted permission to share her story so that others could learn a little bit more about the diverse journeys we all experience. My favorite part is when she hears her own voice, and she is at an age where she is able to collab...
Fri, Apr 11 2008 hide this blog

Blog Comments Reveal Misconceptions with Regard to Cochlear...
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear In a blog entitled, Jeff Daniels And Marlee Matlin Star In Sweet Nothing In My Ear, and 203 comments later, the misconceptions and prejudices regarding the cochlear implant reign. A mother-member of the Pediatric Cochlear Implant Circle brought the blog to the attention of our international community cochlear implant support group - see Naomi's reaction below some of ...
Media Tech Thu, Apr 10 2008 hide this blog

Things that go BANG! in the Night
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Have five minutes to write this, but it has to be done! Luca, I can't open my email account to write, call my mom's cellphone and take care of yourself...that's what ya get...told ya not to kiss me!Okay, the rehearsal dinner was amazing! My stepbrother and his fiancee looked beautiful and so happy. I saw people I haven't seen in like twenty years and overall the men l...
Tech Sat, Apr 05 2008 hide this blog

Response to Mishka and Myself
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear One of the reasons I posted yesterday's blog was to reinforce to the Deaf community that hearing and deaf parents of children with cis are aware of the risks involved in implantation. We support each other not only by sharing our experiences, but by discussing controversial information, this is a fundamental part of the Cochlear Implant Community. As I said in the pr...
Media Tech Legal Mon, Mar 31 2008 hide this blog

1st Legally Deaf Player Signed to NBA Contract
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Ok. What I wanted to blog will have to wait til tomorrow because it requires photos and Blogger is not collaborating with me. So, I've stolen an article from Josh Swiller's Blog. (We all know I have thing for him)Check it out!Cavs hoping to get big help With Ilgauskas, Wallace ailing, legally deaf player Allred signs for 10 days By Brian Windhorst Beacon Journal sport...
Wed, Mar 26 2008 hide this blog

Response to Barb DiGi
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear I think I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown. *smile**letting fm red hair down*Okay, Barb. I really appreciate your questions and that you were so intrigued by yesterday's post that you felt the need to write a response on your blog. I have already answered many of these questions in other posts, but I have absolutely no problem doing it again. Each time I write ab...
Language Education Tech Culture Mon, Mar 24 2008 hide this blog

Wanna See My Strong Character? Bring it ON!
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear I just got home after the usual 24 hour marathon Easter event with my husband's family to find that I have just been attacked on my own humble, giving, loving, awareness-provoking blog. *rolling up sleeves*Oh, where to begin.With Mafalda:i do perfectly agree with you for the puke and vomit part.i was just wondering:1) did you ever notice that ASL is a language and you...
Language Education Tech Sun, Mar 23 2008 hide this blog

Yes, Trafficking of the Deaf Still Exists in Italy *Puke*
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Translation: I am a DeafMute: I am deaf and I am asking you the courtesy of appreciating this nice object in exchange for a monetary offer that will enable me to humanely live in humble dignity.A lighter: 4 eurosA stuffed animal: 3 eurosA big thank you from the heart!*Vomit*We were sitting at dinner last night when the sun exploded in the restaurant in the form of th...
Culture Sat, Mar 22 2008 hide this blog

RALLY CAPS Wins Award *smile*
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Hmmm. Yesterday, we went to our favorite pediatrician Dr. Lenzi, who as I've already said is hot (actually, I'm thinking of changing to a really obese lesbian Dr.), because we are the house of affliction. We were so good that we all got stickers and are currently chilling in the house with antibiotic cocktails. How much fun is it to try to shove an antibiotic down the...
Media Language Art and Storytelling Tech Fri, Mar 21 2008 hide this blog

Sumo-Style Commenters
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear I decided to allow all comments without moderating them beforehand...interesting experience.*Things that make me go, hmmmmm.*Anonymous said, "K.L. if you don't want to learn ASL nor social with deaf then you are hearing. Get off the deafread blog, get lost."K.L. replied, Anon, Nice hiding there.I'm not on DeafRead, I'm on Jodi's blog. It just happens to be connected t...
Wed, Mar 19 2008 hide this blog

Hurricane RACHEL!
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Rachel's powerful voice is rocking the Deaf Community:COOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUGH! Same old criticism that I get all the time - My life’s not good enough without ASL. Deaf people should own deaf children, not the parents. First of all, I believe that deaf people or ANY people do NOT have the right to make a decision for someone else’s child. ONLY the parents should make the d...
Tue, Mar 18 2008 hide this blog

My First Published Article *smile*
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Hi Everyone...I have a couple of things I want to blog about, but no time. Today is my husband's birthday - Happy Birthday, Honey!- and we've decided to go away...away...away for the weekend for the first time in eleven years - not kidding. Be back Monday (okay, maybe Sunday *smile*). Hmm. Two entire nights without children, wonder what we'll do. Think I'm going to ha...
Language Tech Culture Fri, Mar 14 2008 hide this blog

Teachers and Students
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear HA! I woke up in a pink mood today *smile*...a woman reserves the right to change her mind, hair color and blog color at any given moment! I can be fickle like that...I haven't been in a while, but it's coming back. Last night I went to my Pilates class...NEVER,never take a pilates class while recovering from bronchitis, it's all about breathing, abs and glutes. I alm...
Language Audism Thu, Mar 13 2008 hide this blog

"Deafism evolved because of Audism"...Implications
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear It is just impossible to reflect on such depth in 40 minutes with my freaking messed-up head, you just can't even imagine what I'm going through in this period. I did just receive a miraculous letter from the Mayor of Grosseto who accepted my request for "Patrocinio" (not even sure what it means, but I think it's a good thing) for our book presentation sometime in Apr...
Language Audism Culture Wed, Mar 12 2008 hide this blog

Re: Ci Controversial, Why?
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Delicately dipping my big toe in the freezing water...*Brrrrrrr!*60 posts later, I have finally taken the time to research the word "Audism."To do so, I went straight to the About.com queen, Jamie BerkeI'm Better Than YouIn the deaf culture, calling someone an audist is akin to calling someone a racist.What is audism? A simple definition would be that it is a negative...
Language Audism Culture Tue, Mar 11 2008 hide this blog

I am Here to Listen, Reflect and Learn...Today has been a...
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Can you even imagine if my true purpose were to piss people off? I irritate people and it isn't even my intention to do so. Yes, I am assertive, but I am so non-violent. I manage to provoke people's sensitivity unknowingly, see Patti's blog as a reaction to my earlier post. Today, my sensitivity was provoked, yes, I am very sensitive.Today, Jordan came home from schoo...
Culture Wed, Mar 05 2008 hide this blog

How Can You Allow Your Deaf Child to HOPE in the REALITY...
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Aidan probably thinks I'm a total lunatic, every time she writes a blog, I have a problem with a word...but as we have already discussed, words are powerful and how we perceive each word is directly based on our life experiences. I'm still in the bronchitis dazed and confused, sweating, chilled mode, so just bear with me..although, I did take Sofia to school this morn...
Language Culture Wed, Mar 05 2008 hide this blog

Probably Incoherent RE: Rachel, Patti, Aidan
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Feeling like dog. Fever, chills, aches, bronchitis and my effin neighbors upstairs have been BANGING for the past two hours, not even my iPod can make it stop. I am in hell right now. BANG! Cough, can't sleep because BANG!I have had it with this country and my condominium with paper-thin walls. Can you imagine, you can hear EVERYTHING, so when one couple starts bangin...
Tech Culture Tue, Mar 04 2008 hide this blog

Response to the YOUNG DUDES -Oralist's Melodrama
An American Mom in Tuscany: Jordan's Cochlear Norah Jones can bite me, today it's Rhianna and Fergie-Ferg, lol. I am NOT a good influence on the little teenagers that I teach, I am MUCH more IMMATURE! Sitting here chewing on a piece of a Mega-chocolate Easter egg...Easter sucks here and will kill me because they don't give you little Mary Sues, they give you HUGE WONKER eggs with little insignificant, but VERY bu...
Mon, Mar 03 2008 hide this blog