Mum's switched on
Only the deaf can tell you what it's really like to live with this disability, but Lisa tells that living with a deaf mum she could see was so hard for her every day before the implant. But Lisa continues … "and I won't lie, it was hard for our family too."
This is Lisa's story of her Mum's Cochlear Implant switch-on.
Lisa - April 2008
One of the best birthdays I can remember was the day of my mum's second Cochlear Implant mapping. To be honest, my first thought was 'I'm stuck at a medical centre on my birthday when I should be out shopping or at the pub!'
At that point I didn't know much about Cochlear Implants and the affect it would have on my mum's hearing. I was expecting something similar to a hearing aid - it turns up the volume but overall, not a great result. How wrong I was!
Sitting in that tiny room with mum on the day her hearing was literally switched on, allowed me to see first hand how happy this was going to make her. I can't tell you how she felt, but when the sound was first turned on it was like watching a paraplegic get up and walk again.
Only the deaf can tell you what it's really like to live with this disability, but living with mum I can see it must have been so hard for her every day before the implant, and I won't lie, it was hard for our family too.
Growing up, we all got very used to following the key rules when speaking to mum; speak clearly but don't shout, don't mumble, always face mum when speaking, etc. That wasn't much of a problem; it was simply a way of life. But one thing I couldn't get used to and still breaks my heart thinking about it, was the way people outside our family and close friends would talk and act around her.
If the check-out girl at the supermarket, or the teller at the bank would get no answer from mum when they asked a question, their angered and annoyed expression would say one of two things: 'why are you being so rude?' or 'are you stupid?'
I always used to wonder if this is what people thought of all disabilities. If I lost my leg in an accident, or gradually went blind, would people think less of me?
Seeing this for so many years I got scared. In fact my biggest fear was losing my own hearing. I've seen the huge affect it can have on all aspects of your life; work, friends, family and just simple pleasures like music, TV and movies.
I'm still scared about losing my hearing, but not like I used to be. I've seen how much mum has benefited from a Cochlear Implant and I know with today's technology, chances are I wouldn't go through the same hardships as she did.
Of course, as a child of a deaf mother I won't say there weren't some benefits. Like midnight parties with 50 of our school friends with mum sound asleep in her room, or being able to discuss mum's birthday present without having to ask her to leave the room. But none of this beats the moment I was speaking to mum on the phone and suddenly realised she could hear every word I said.
Through all of this one thing amazes me most; I never heard mum complain. She never seemed angry or resentful, never moaned it was unfair or expected people to feel sorry for her. If anything unfortunate was to happen to me, I just hope I can find this same strength.
Nowadays I sometimes forget about the implant and go through the same old routine when speaking to mum. Her response always makes me smile: "Lisa, I can hear you".