Category: hearing aids

My Top Ten List

October 20, 2014 · 3 Comments ·

As I look at the calendar I start to get tense and look back at this past year and I marvel of all the changes that have been made. This upcoming weekend is the Tae Kwon Do tournament when I noticed the crowd was more hushed, I noticed I couldn’t hear a TV, or my kid’s voices. I am not sure at this moment my hearing dropped or it was slowly dropping and it kind of hit me on this weekend. Either way it has been a learning curve with hearing aids, and accepting this new normal.

I look at this past year and I thought I would make a list of 10 things I have noticed and learned. I was able to get a hold of my audiogram from 1996 when I was 19 years old. I was in college and attending the University of Wisconsin and studying Communicative Disorders. I had a conductive loss at a 30-35db loss. Which in all reality I could have been wearing hearing aids back then. I am now 37 and I have a mixed loss that ranges from a 60-90db loss. That is a big difference. Will it change from this point, I don’t know but if it does I know there will be frustrations but I feel I will be better equipped to handle it.

Always carry hearing aid batteries with you. I learned the hard way this last week. I decided to leave my bag out in the car after lunch and I was subbing in science. Well both hearing aid batteries went dead. I had about 3 hours of the day left to go with no break to run to the car. Thank God we were watching a movie very little talking and listening had to take place. It made me realize I need to learn to speech read more then ever which will be my number 2.
I hear with my eyes as much as my ears. I need a big boost in speech reading. I can do a word here or there but I need a lot more practice. I lack in this area greatly. Although I have done a few experiments on my own while listening to someone I really do concentrate on their face. I will close my eyes at times and my comprehension really goes down. I need that visual; I need to see it as much as hear it.
Hearing aids are not miracle aids. Yes I really rely highly on my hearing aids. I recently told a friend who is Deaf, I can’t sign proficiently, I can’t read lips for a full conversation. I rely on the hearing I have. I have become great friends with the phonak and starkey hearing aids I own. I don’t have perfect hearing with my hearing aids but they make up for a lot of lost ground.
Ear molds are better then domes. This is an individual thing but wow a big difference for me. I was given domes then got moved to closed power domes in my hearing aids. They annoyed me and I could hear better with my finger in my ear with them. When I bought this up I was told it just took time to get used to. I then went to another audiologist and they told me my hearing loss was to great for the domes and that is why I was having the problem. I was told I needed the ear molds and I sure can tell a difference. What I learned from this, you know what you need. If it doesn’t work for you and you have a finger in your ear, it isn’t working. I will never use domes again. You can change doctors nothing is set in stone.
You are not alone. Family and friends supported me and listened to me but I needed to find someone who understood me. I have found friends and the Say What Club. They understand hearing loss. They can laugh with you and help through the tough times. I urge anyone who is going through a trial to seek out a group that understands. As a fellow SWC friend says you need your tribe. You need the people who walk in the same shoes as you do. Seek them out!
Car radios suck. Ok so I am blunt and to the point. Maybe this again is just me. I try explaining to my husband I can hear the music and the beat but I very seldom can make out the words. I can hear parts of words but it kind of sounds like a broken foreign language. I will keep the radio on I like music but the words nah can’t do it. But I have never been able to really listen to the music and get all the words so maybe this isn’t such a new thing.
I have become to love the assistive listening devices I have. I was very stubborn at first I didn’t want to try these. I felt that I was not profoundly deaf or hard of hearing so I didn’t need these. I was wrong. I use the streamer on my TV a lot. It blocks out everything but the show or movie we are watching. It makes a big difference. I still use the captions but I seem to be more engaged in a movie if I use it. Otherwise I seem to lose focus and I am off doing something else. When we are watching a family movie I need to be involved and enjoy the time.
Keep my family in the loop. My children know when I can hear them and when I can’t. If I say I can’t hear you they are really good at waiting till we are somewhere else and then ask me. My kids understand my hearing aids. My husband will hook up and ask if I want the streamer on the TV or for the music we are listening to. They support me and that makes such a big difference.
Sign language- I know some but I need to learn more. When we are in a situation and I can’t hear my kids I would love to be able to use more sign. Today in church I used sign to my son and we understood each other. I hope another class will be offered soon in my area.
Pimping and blinging my hearing aids have become an obsession. Heck if I can go and see all these fun glasses at the eye doctor why do hearing aids have to be beige or dark brown in my case. I can decorate them and maybe no one will see them but I know they are there and sassy.

So here is my list of 10 things I have learned this past year. I wonder what my list will look like in another year.

My Name In Print

October 13, 2014October 13, 2014 · 1 Comment ·

Months ago it seems I was approached by this wonderful woman in our area to write an article for her magazine. Kathy, a friend, started and runs a woman’s ministry called Best Life Ministry. She is based out in Western Minnesota but will travel to put on weekend retreats which can change lives.

So we are back to this past summer. I was asked to write an article about being a hard of hearing mother that is a woman of faith. Ok that title fits me now to get the words to paper. This was mid summer and as any mom knows summers with kids are nuts. We have swimming, camps, playmates, vacations and company. I knew this article would be shoved back to the back recesses of my brain and the deadline date would come and go. I sat down that night and thought and prayed and typed. I typed just the surface of what it is like. I talked about when my hearing took a dive, how I felt and how I reacted. I was used to a mild loss I had since what I believe was childhood but was confirmed by an audiologist in my late teens. This was a whole different game. I was lost and confused, I literally felt like I was drowning. I wrote these feelings down and how they relate to me being a mom. I feel it is all related, how can it not be. It doesn’t have to be a bad or negative thing but it is me.

I didn’t forget about the magazine but when months past it isn’t in the immediate present and other life things fill these spaces. Last week I was presented a copy of the magazine. Oh My Gosh to see my name in print was breath taking. I couldn’t believe it. I felt numb I didn’t know what to think or do. It was so cool. I actually thought back to 5th grade. I had written a short story and it was published in a book that was a collection of short stories and poems by other Minnesota young artists. At that time I was invited to the St Paul Landmark Center and read my story. It was an awesome experience. Just like this was seeing my name in print on glossy paper that held my words and my thoughts. I am so thankful for being able to share.

I pray that my words may touch one person. They may not be hard of hearing or deaf but have another life challenge they are dealing with at this time. I pray they can see that there is support out there. A challenge isn’t a bad thing. It can propel you to do great things. It is who you are.

I love to write, I admit I may not be great at it but I love it. I tend to be a shy person but I am really trying to be more outgoing but writing I don’t feel the need to hold back. My feelings, fears, and dreams can be written down and I can choose to share them or not. They are my words. I hope I will have some more chances to write in the future. I love this blog so this won’t be going away. I was asked last month to write an article or two for a nationwide newsletter that deals with hearing. I responded a big YES to the editor so I will see what comes to be. To write makes my soul feel free. To get out was was harbored is a feeling of freedom that I don’t take for granted. What I do here many people don’t have the right to do. We are lucky, very lucky indeed.

Have a blessed day and find a place your name can be in print. It may not be in the ink of a paper but the handshake of a neighbor you helped, or the nail you pounded on a project. We can all make a difference and leave our mark somehow, somewhere.

Does Blinging mean Acceptance

September 4, 2014 · 1 Comment ·

Bling: (Bling or bling-bling) is a slang term popularized in hip hop culture, referring to flashy, ostentatious or elaborate jewelry and ornamented accessories

We are getting close to the year point that my hearing started dropping and hearing aids were purchased and worn. I grew up in a family that has a history of hearing loss this isn’t a new thing for me. I can remember sitting in the audiologist office in 7^th grade and being told I should quit the swim team for fear of further damage on my ears. I can remember running from the doctor’s office crying and not wanting to talk about this information. Small tidbits of the given information from that doctor appointment never fully left my head but was pushed to the back recesses of my brain.

In college I majored in communicative disorders and took a lot of audiology classes. That tidbit would creep up to the surface every once in a while and I would think would this be me someday? Will I be getting fitted for hearing aids in my lifetime? Will I be honest about my hearing loss or try to hide it? Anxiety would creep in when us students would have to give each other a hearing exam. I know I wasn’t hearing the beeps. I never was in the normal zone. Many questions and then college came and went and it would get shoved to the back of my brain once again.

Little things would trigger this thought, walking behind someone and noticing hearing aids I would wonder will people notice me if I am wearing them? I knew my hearing wasn’t great. I had never heard my kids whisper to me or talk from another room everything I was used to from a young age. I don’t ever remember hearing a whisper to tell the truth.

So nearing a year of my hearing aids. When I picked up my first hearing aid I cried. I didn’t think it was going to be that hard. I had people who were sympathetic and then I had people who said I should move to the nursing home, do I get a senior discount now. I was ashamed and I didn’t want ANYONE to know. I wore my hair down and I didn’t want to let anyone in on this secret except family and a few friends and to be honest I had a very hard time with them also.

I researched and I gained friends that were also in the same “boat” as I was. I started to breathe again and was able to see this not as an end of the road but just a different road. I started writing and being a little more vocal about what was going on in my life. This past summer I received a gift of hearing aids that are much more powerful than the one I purchased and they seem to serve me well.

I come back to the definition of BLING. I have these great Starkey hearing aids and they are in a dark brown aka espresso color. I don’t mind them but they needed something more, some pizzazz. I sat down at the table a week ago with some paints and thought I would design them. That just seemed so permanent to me. So I went to my addiction of Pinterest and searched blinging hearing aids. I got the idea of using nail foils on the hearing aids. I bought a pack for $2 and I have enough to bling out the aids probably 4 times. I tried my first time with a butterfly design. I also bought a pack that looks a little like tie-dye. I like the fact that I can take it right off with no residue and start over with a new design. I love the look of them, I love that I am wearing something a little fun just like the bright blue glasses I picked out a couple years ago. In a year I went from scared and hiding to pulling my hair up and showing off butterfly hearing aids. What I loved the most is when I showed my husband he looked at them and said, “Hey those are really cute, great job”. My daughter gushed over them and can’t wait to help me redesign the next time. Am a complete open book, not even close. A few pages maybe have been exposed to some people for now. But for now I will wear my hair anyway I please, not care if people notice hearing aids or ear molds. I will design them and wear them and show them off. I also have a remote and streaming device that just looks so plain and a solid color. Maybe that needs a little blinging out also.

So maybe blinging means some acceptance. Showing something off instead of hiding it. Blinging lets the world see that you are in acceptance and even inviting a question or comment. If someone wants to ask me about them, that is just fine.

My COOL KID

August 25, 2014 · Leave a comment ·

My daughter, Greta, I have bragged up in the past. She is an amazing girl and I love her with all my heart. Does she have tween attitude and eyes that roll…you bet, but she is a wonderful daughter and so proud of her. This past county fair Greta won two grand champion ribbons for a couple projects that deal with hearing loss. She was interviewed this past week and this is article that was written. I am so proud of this COOL KID.

Meet the Cool Kids

Education Takes Grand Prize: Greta Lundquist

By Rachel Janis, staff writer

Eleven-year-old Greta Lundquist stands before two large trifold poster boards, fashioning a welcoming smile as onlookers peruse the Swift County Fair in Minnesota. Her poster boards—one entitled “Being Hard of Hearing,” and the other, “My Visit with Tani Austen, Starkey Hearing Foundation”—capture curious eyes, and Greta confidently answers questions and explains why she is there.

The soon-to-be sixth grader actually has normal hearing, but because her mom was scheduled to be fitted for hearing aids at the Starkey Hearing Foundation’s office, Greta accompanied her and received the opportunity of a lifetime.

And as she proudly showcases her two poster boards at the fair, she can’t help but to think about that special day—sitting one-on-one Tani Austen, co-founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation, for an interview.

Greta’s mom has moderate to severe hearing loss, while her six-year-old brother has mild hearing loss. While interviewing Tani Austen, Greta heard a very familiar story. It happened that Tani, too, became aware and interested in hearing loss at a young age, when Tani’s mom first received hearing aids. Tani, along with William F. Austen and a group of dedicated workers, eventually went on to fit more than 100,000 hearing aids to people in need each year through the Starkey Hearing Foundation. The Starkey team helps people all over the globe, such as in Kenya, Honduras, and Israel. And that day, Greta got to interview Tani and learn all about the projects and missions the foundation has completed. One thing Greta learned was that “anyone can work on a hearing mission,” whether you’re hard of hearing, deaf, or hearing.

Greta took this to heart and decided that she wanted to educate the Swift County fair-goers about the deaf and hard of hearing community—not only to honor her mother and brother, but to bring awareness to the general hearing population. “It is not just people in nursing homes who are hard of hearing,” Greta reminds us.

Greta’s informational poster boards won her two blue ribbons and two Grand Champion ribbons at the fair.

It felt great teaching her audience a little bit about what it’s like to live with someone who’s hard of hearing. She has to make sure she’s facing her mom when talking to her, and if they’re in a noisy shopping mall or a busy café, Greta just has to wait until they get to a quieter spot. Their home is also a little bit different than the average household, fit with a few more pieces of technology, like a captioned phone and TV, assisted listening devices, and a plentiful amount of hearing aid batteries just in case.

“Try wearing earplugs for a day and you might get a little bit of an understanding of how hard it is,” Greta advises. “It is frustrating [for me] at times, but… just because my mom may say, ‘Not now,’ or, ‘I can’t hear you right now,’ doesn’t mean she doesn’t want to talk to me. We just need to find a better place.”

Hearing loss doesn’t hold this family back. It may be seen as a struggle or a conflict sometimes, but hearing loss is something that can easily be managed and even embraced. Greta hopes to participate in a hearing mission someday alongside Tani Austen and the Starkey Hearing Foundation. As she clutches her Grand Champion ribbons with pride, she knows that she can make a difference, giving a voice to those who aren’t able to hear.

How to ask

August 3, 2014 · 3 Comments ·

When to ask, how to ask, and who to ask. These are all question that flood through my mind when I realize I am not getting what I need at an event or in a situation. I will be an advocate for my children, and for a cause until the end of time but how do you become an advocate for yourself? I had made a New Years Resolution that I was going to stand up for myself and make sure I can get what I need. This post is my public display that I am not holding up my end of the bargain.

I will tell people I am hard of hearing. People may ask how much loss do you have, I will tell them I have a moderate severe loss and what that means. I am open with that information but I don’t say what would make this conversation easier on me. I have discovered that is incredibly hard in my book. People hear the words hard of hearing they see hearing aids and they assume all is fixed and you can hear just fine. WRONG so wrong, I need you to face me, I can’t have a noisy fan or other noise around. I am not proficient in speech reading or in sign so I have to rely on the residual hearing I have.

I have had a few instances that have come up recently that I should have spoken up to enjoy the experience to it’s fullest. I didn’t speak up and ask anything and for that the fault all lies on me and my pride, or fear, or whatever is festering with this issue.

Last night my daughter and I attended a movie at a little country church that is used for an outreach ministry in our area. I attend a Bible Study at this church and it is a place of incredible peace for myself. My daughter and I got to the church and got our popcorn and drink and settled in to watch the movie, Heaven is for Real. Watching a movie in a candlelit century old church was magical. It was a beautiful thing watching the movie on a sheet being held by clothespins strung across the front of the church. What would have made the night better is if I could have heard the dialog. I maybe heard 10% of the movie. When I watch tv at home I either use closed captions or I stream the movie through an assistive listening device that goes right to my hearing aids, I love this option, I usually use both.

Did I ask for captions…NO. Did I come early and ask to hook up the assistive listening device to the movie which would have taken two minutes…NO. Why, I guess I just don’t want to draw attention to this issue. I did bring my portable streamer unit. I tried it but it mainly picked up the fans and I just got an amplified Charlie Brown teachers voice effect for the dialog of the movie. I had a great time last night seeing friends and neighbors but I just had this kick in the butt feeling why didn’t you say something or stand up for yourself.

I need help in this area. I need a shot of confidence that I deserve to understand what is going on the same as everyone else in the vicinity of me. I came home last night and my husband said to me, “Bet you couldn’t hear the movie tonight.” No I couldn’t, he keeps telling me nobody cares if you ask, there may be three other people there that missed this line or that and maybe wouldn’t have minded captions.

I need to learn how to do this at events like this or even a movie theatre. It is just easier to watch a movie at home and not have to ask. This is a huge learning curve I have found. I don’t like to ask for something normally so this is just way out there for me. I need to shove back my shoulders, hold my head high and get the idea drilled in my head that I deserve it.

This I guess would be my New Years Resolution part 2 of just ask, stand up for yourself, you are worth it.

Waiting to Wake Up from a Dream

June 12, 2014June 19, 2014 · 2 Comments ·

On June 10, 2014 I was invited to attend a ceremony at Starkey World Headquarters in Eden Prairie, MN. I traveled the near 3 hours to the headquarters, I was full of nerves, and excitement since I had no idea what I was to expect. I was presented a HearStrong Award. It was a wonderful honor and experience. I hope I can get into words what I experienced and what transpired on that wonderful day.

HearStrong is the nonprofit that is held by the company EarQ. It honors individuals that have overcome hearing loss and decide to do something about it. The way they heard about me is they happened upon one of my blog posts on the SWC Blog. I was given a gold medal and a framed certificate from two great gentlemen from EarQ and from Tani Austin from the Starkey Hearing Foundation. I was accompanied by my good friend Allison and my daughter Greta. It was an honor I will take seriously and keep advocating all I can. HearStrong asks you to take the challenge to be a Champion and bring attention to hearing loss and help make this stigma the that hearing loss affects all not just a certain generation. I do take this challenge and I hope to be kept accountable that I will continue to do so.

2014-06-12 01.15.35

After a wonderful ceremony and pictures we were handed over to Starkey. I had no idea what the rest of our time there would be but I was told it would be worth it. We were told to drive to another building (huge complex) and they would take care of us. Well what I didn’t know and was a surprise is I was given a hearing test and given a new set of hearing aids and lots of fun gadgets to go with them. I was in shock, in no way was I expecting anything at all. It started out with a video of the inside of my ears. The neat part of this whole process was that my daughter and friend were with me and asking question and taking pictures of all of it. Greta wants to do a project on hearing loss and hearing aids for the county fair this year. I think she got lots of first hand info on Tuesday. I was then given a hearing test by a Starkey Audiologist. We were then treated to lunch. Anything we wanted at no cost to us. Another high point for my daughter, you can tell she is 11. Impressions and molds were made next again pictures and my daughter and friend were right there. They got to watch the whole process and ask any questions they wanted. In fact my daughter got to come home with a few ear molds that were made. They are now prized possessions. Now the waiting game started. We waited a few hours while custom made hearing aids for me. I was given XENO RIC with a custom earmold around the receiver. Much more powerful than my last pair. During the waiting period my daughter was able to have a private meeting with Tani Austin about the hearing missions the Starkey Hearing Foundation have done all over the world. Greta is inspired and would love to go on a mission with them someday. Who knows anything is possible.

Finally at 6pm my hearing aids were done. I was also given two additional items, one is the SurfLink Media which plugs into my TV and I can listen to the TV wirelessly directly into my hearing aids. Very cool item and having fun trying it out. I can even have the TV on mute and I can listen to it at a good level for me and not disrupt anyone else in the house. My other gadget is the SurfLink mobile. This is a remote I can use for my hearing aids I can change programs and change the volume. I can use it as a bluetooth for my phone so again the sound is wirelessly sent to the hearing aids and I don’t need to use the actual cell phone. The one feature that I think is the most fun is I can stream my iPod and listen to all my music through my hearing aids instead of taking them out and using earbuds and complaining the volume doesn’t go high enough.

It was a day I will never forget. I am still waiting to wake up from an incredible dream. I thank my friend, Allison, for taking 14 1/2 hours away from her family to be there with me to experience this once in a lifetime day. I thank my daughter, Greta, for being so grown up and asking questions and being engaged. Her project for the fair should be blue ribbon all the way. Most of all thank you all for reading my writing and keeping me accountable.

Thank you for Reading

May 14, 2014May 16, 2014 · 1 Comment ·

I have watched my children get certificate after certificate to trophies and medals to the point we open a closet and we may get rained on by trophies. I didn’t get any of this as a child. One I don’t think awards were given out as much as they are now and also I wasn’t in the amount of stuff my kids are in. I have my high school and college diplomas in a dresser drawer and I have numerous ribbons from county fairs but that is about it.

I started writing this blog last fall. It was a stress relieving fun activity for me. I have always enjoyed writing, and writing a book is on my bucket list. As life threw me some new obstacles this past year I needed a way to work through them. Writing was a good choice for me. I was able to put those feelings to the key of the computer and I didn’t need to say them out loud. As time has passed I am not as ashamed or scared to share my story and tell others about the new direction my life may be going. I also write for the SWC blog or Say What Club. I have found so much acceptance, help, and friendship from these people that I can’t imagine I would feel how I do now with out them.

I wrote a blog piece about my life as a Substitute teacher that happens to be hard of hearing. The blog post got recognized by a group in New York. I am in small town Minnesota so this is wow a big thing. I was interviewed and chosen to be a HearStrong Champion. I am floored, shocked and honored. Doesn’t the old saying go something like this, if life gives you lemons make lemonade. Well I didn’t want to wallow in my life, I wanted and want to be proactive and move on and make life the best it can.

I want to take this opportunity to thank my friends and family. They have been an amazing support system. My friends here are awesome, they will listen to me as a rant and complain. My weekly Bible Study has been a huge encourager. I think all of these people gave me the courage to write what I was thinking, feeling and living.

Next month I get to travel to the cities to get my award. Wow I just don’t know what to even think. I am starting to get excited and it only fuels me to be an advocate, keep writing, and keep encouraging.

Here is a link to my HearStrong profile.

Life as a Substitute Teacher

April 23, 2014October 20, 2014 · Leave a comment ·

Life as a substitute teacher is a life of the unknown. Do I work today or not? Always a question of where to work, what grade, and what kids. I have been hard of hearing at this level for about 6 months or so. I am very new to this chapter of my life. A few people have told me, that I was proactive and didn’t stay in the land of denial and disbelief for any amount of time. I think the main reason I was proactive and ordered that first hearing aid was because I was sure I wouldn’t be able to work at the school, I wouldn’t be able to hear the kids all talking to me at once. I FEARED the loss of my job. I still have a problem with many kids talking at once, hearing aids are aids not miracles. I felt in my heart of hearts if I didn’t tackle this head on and immediately I would no longer have a job.

So what changes if any did I need to make as a substitute teacher and hard of hearing. One major thing I had to do was make sure I got those calls at 6:30 in the morning. We live in a small house and only have one phone jack so one phone in the house that is not in a bedroom, living room, or the basement. I have the school call my cell phone. I can usually remember to have that with me. I also had to make sure my ringtone is nice and loud, but I also don’t want to annoy anyone else around me. The one thing I was given which I really like is this little device.

This nice little battery operated stand will start brightly flashing when the phone has vibrated. This has been a great thing when I happen to be sleeping, and no hearing aids in. I don’t hear the phone call but open my eyes to a light flashing. I can call the school back and not miss those jobs. Before I had this I was missing a lot of calls and I had to do something I was dreading. I had to let our secretary know that I am hard of hearing and I am missing your phone calls not just ignoring you. I got the kindest response, just a big thank you for all the subbing I do. I am not sure why I was so scared to let someone know.

I work in our local school district, which is small town and maybe 60-70 kids per grade level. A lot smaller then I was raised with. With having such a small amount of kids I know them. I have worked with them for 7 years; I have seen these kids grow. One thing I really like to use in the classroom is an FM system. I have seen these used before. Some teachers use them and some don’t. My son has an IEP and it states use of the FM system for his mild hearing loss. I try to use the FM system in every class I am in. For myself, and for students the use of the microphone is a nice way to make an effort that everyone can hear what is going on in the classroom. I try to have no one including myself left behind.

There are classes that are much easier for me to teach in than others. Kindergarten through about 2^nd grade really scares me. Why…they all talk to me at once in their little voices. I miss a huge amount of the content of what they are saying. I really try to implement one child at a time when I am in the class. An English class is usually an easy one, quiet and usually just reading. Now coming up I will be the agriculture teacher for three days. I know already this will be very stressful. It is a huge room with industrial fans, shop noise with industrial tech next door. I will sit facing the students and the door ( I don’t hear someone coming in the room), kids now to come up to me and face me to ask to leave class.

I guess my job is the same as all subs. I just have to make sure I am aware of what is going on. Make sure my eyes are on the kids and the kid’s eyes are on me. I would like to hear about what if any changes you have had to make in your career.

Feeling Blessed

April 14, 2014April 20, 2014 · 1 Comment ·

The past couple week for me have been ones of thinking, planning and reflecting. I feel a strong tug to do something different in my life. If that is a different job, different volunteer opportunities and different experiences. It has to be little baby steps and living in a rural area nothing is close, I don’t have a plethora of opportunities. So I made up my resume. I think it has been almost 15 years since I have done a resume. It has been a good learning experience. I have applied for a few jobs and I have been turned down for a few jobs.

Last week I applied for a very unique experience. I have had a 45 minute phone interview (thank you for an amplified phone). If I would get this job I would be a literacy tutor for grades K-3 in our local school. What an awesome opportunity. To be a constant in a childs life and get them to that magical goal of reading. I hope I can be that person in a little persons life. I hope to hear this week if I will be going on to the next interview.

Another part of the dreaming comes with this tutor job. At the end of my year I would receive an education gift. It is a rather good amount of money to further my education. Wow does the dreaming begin. What would I do? What would I study? I don’t know I have ideas swirling in my head faster than snowflakes in a blizzard. I am thinking deaf and hard of hearing something with that. Maybe teacher for deaf and hard of hearing or a vocational or rehabilitation counselor. Just don’t know too many decisions.

Then today to start of the week with a blessing and a half. I subbed in Ag again today. I have to say it was much better today than the last time. Not one scissor got thrown across the room. I shouldn’t even have to say that. So back to the issue at hand…got home to a letter in the mailbox. I was gifted a hearing aid from the Sertoma club. I was beyond speechless and tears were flowing. I will be balanced (haha-one in both ears). This is a gift I can never repay and I am so humbled. I go to my audiologist on Thursday morning.

We just had our wedding anniversary and I just feel this will be a year of changes and I pray these changes will be good ones for our family.

Musings of a Momma

hard of hearing mom living in a small town