Update on the Kiddo and recommitment

My neice had the cochlear implants at 3 yrs old.  She's 14 now.  She had them removed 4 years later because of constant headaches, she was very unhappy and constantly in tears and pain.  She is now a happy person now that CI has been removed.  She is very proficent in sign language and is doing well in school.

Please think about it. 

Paul I believe you have an amazing attitude, especially about training to show your children there is nothing that can't be done.

I have a friend whose parents are deaf and her son is HOH as well (her hearing is fine). They do not use ASL, they use another form of sign language that follows the same grammar structure as English - I guess it is what was used with her parents so that is what she uses.

I live in Rochester NY and RIT is here, and we have a large deaf community. My daughter is wanting to learn sign language to communicate with my friends son.

As with everything in raising children, you will face lots of opinions about what is right. Trust your gut and instincts. For every 'bad' thing you hear on here (or elsewhere) about a side effect, opinion, etc, there are going to be equally as many with the opposite opinion or without any issues. being a parent is tough work! With your stick-to-it-ness attitude, i have no doubt your daughter will thrive with whatever decision you choose!

HI.  That is called SEE Sign Exact English... and also PSE  Pidgeon Sign English a mixture of SEE and ASL.  I sign mostly SEE.  I try to learn ASL but it's difficult because it has no grammar structure and I like grammar! :) 

 thank you for that!  Pidgeon is what she called it.  It is easier for my daughter to learn (she is 7).

 You are an amazing father. 

I understand where you are coming from. My son has recently been diagnosed with apraxia, a neuro issue that effects speech. I struggled with treatment, because this is how he was born. It's how I believe god created him. So do I pursue aggressive therapy to "fix" him, or do I immerse myself in his world and figure out how to relate to him non verbally?

In the end, we pursued therapy once a week. Not the 3 times a week recommended, but what we hoped would help him learn to ease his frustration with a few words. 

Now he is speaking in full sentences. After 2 months of therapy. And his frustrated behaviors are gone. ( head banging, hitting himself) 

I am so glad that I listened to my instincts and didn't 1- cave to pressure from doctors and therapists. 2- decide to do nothing. 

You are thoughtful and loving to consider every single angle. I wish you peace.

Paul, I think your decision to provide your daughter with the most options possible so that she can make decisions for herself down the road is the best decision you could possibly make.  I honestly don't see how anyone could take issue with you for doing so.  You and your family have a road ahead that is going to have some rough patches, but you now are physically and emotionally stronger than ever before and I know that you will be a source of strength for your daughter as well.

Hugs,
Lora

I doff my metaphorical hat to you and your wife. You are clearly loving, wonderful parents.
Bravo for continuing to embrace your athletic goals. You are an inspiration to me and many others here who have spent years fearing exercise and embracing the couch.