Parent’s stories My two boys they needed hearing aids, I was shocked and devastated. This was Now my boys have a very normal life. going to be a lifetime issue! I felt so They are very positive and happy “I have two boys. They guilty, like it must have been my children. I have met other parents fault. I had no idea what the future are both deaf/hearing with deaf children, through deaf would bring. playgroups and kindergarten. My impaired. They are husband and I have learnt how to Now, two years on, I couldn’t be currently five- and sign, by our own choice. I feel like happier. I am so proud of both my three-years- old. I have this is the most awesome thing boys. They have advanced in leaps known about their anyone could ever teach their child. and bounds since the initial Communication is essential, whether deafness for two years. discovery of their deafness. These it’s signing or speaking, as long as advancements could only be There is your child is happy and can express attributed to the help and support I no family history of any themselves. received from my family, but, more deafness in our importantly, from an early But the most important thing I could intervention centre. They helped families. We still have offer as a mother’s advice: Roll with me understand what was the punches; deal with the blows as no answer as to why happening, and what to expect in best you can. Stay positive and they are both deaf. the future. They visited and supportive of each other and your contacted me regularly. family. Everything will be fine!” Early Intervention [Services] has When I was told they had nerve © State of Victoria, 2010 been the most amazing support, I deafness, I didn’t understand how Authorised by the Department of Education could never have imagined going permanent it would be. I thought it and Early Childhood Development through these times without their would be something mild that could be help. fixed. When the audiologist told me
Parent’s stories My two boys “I have two boys. They are both deaf/hearing impaired. They are currently five- and three-years- old. I have known about their deafness for two years. There is no family history of any deafness in our families. We still have no answer as to why they are both deaf. When I was told they had nerve deafness, I didn’t understand how permanent it would be. I thought it would be something mild that could be fixed. When the audiologist told me they needed hearing aids, I was shocked and devastated. This was going to be a lifetime issue! I felt so guilty, like it must have been my fault. I had no idea what the future would bring. Now, two years on, I couldn’t be happier. I am so proud of both my boys. They have advanced in leaps and bounds since the initial discovery of their deafness. These advancements could only be attributed to the help and support I received from my family, but, more importantly, from an early intervention centre. They helped me understand what was happening, and what to expect in the future. They visited and contacted me regularly. Early Intervention [Services] has been the most amazing support, I could never have imagined going through these times without their help. Now my boys have a very normal life. They are very positive and happy children. I have met other parents with deaf children, through deaf playgroups and kindergarten. My husband and I have learnt how to sign, by our own choice. I feel like this is the most awesome thing anyone could ever teach their child. Communication is essential, whether it’s signing or speaking, as long as your child is happy and can express themselves. But the most important thing I could offer as a mother’s advice: Roll with the punches; deal with the blows as best you can. Stay positive and supportive of each other and your family. Everything will be fine!” © State of Victoria, 2010 Authorised by the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development
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