[oceannia]

Hi Desilu,

I thought I would just share a bit of our experience. We are in the adoption process, still working on our dossier.
However, we have a bio daughter that is hearing impaired. She's almost 6 years old, mainstreamed in public kindergarten. Yes, she has a cochlear implant and NO they DO NOT crack the skull open to insert the cochlear implant into the cochlea which is no where near the brain. Hearing aids did not help our daughter to obtain enough hearing that would enable her to have speech. There is so much to consider when you find out your child is deaf. My DH and I first went with Total Communication, Deaf Culture, etc. and then we started researching cochlear implants and auditory oral plus other communication methodologies. Meeting people, going to schools to observe children in ASL schools and in Auditory Oral schools we learned so much. There are SO Many myths out there about cochlear implants, hearing aids, etc. Things today are so different than they were even 5 years ago, 10 years ago.
If you would like more information or just need to talk, please feel free to pm me or perhaps we can even talk on the phone.

Best wishes, Oceannia

[mattecook]

I thought hard about what I would do if a baby was presented to us that had a challenge. Would we accept the baby or wait for the next referral and I felt that we would just take it case by case because we knew that we trusted in God to lead our decisions. I don't think anyone posting here is suggesting that you are going to adopt this baby to "fix him" as the poster above was suggesting. I have been lucky to have several close deaf friends that I have met throughout the years and 2 of them have recently received the implants and 1 of them said she isn't ready yet. The two that received them felt that it was a big decision but one they would do over and over again they felt and I quote "that it opened many doors for them that were previously closed". I know for me and my husband that we would do everything we could to ensure that he had the best medical care possible and I know that you are ready and willing to do the same. It sounds like God has a definate plan in your life and this little one was meant to be yours. Hopefully you hear more about him today.

Ami

[csw]

Hi Seattle..
This is an "old" post.. I will let Desilu tell you the remarkable updates on her little boy...I agree with Kelley..she was just trying to get information...

[jungbluj]

I am seriously considering not participating in this forum anymore. In the past few days I have read several posts of people verbally attacking each other. Also, a few weeks ago I was verbally attacked on this forum. Maybe attack is too strong of a word but for lack of a better word coming to mind, that is the best I can come up with at this time. Come on people; we need to calm down and take a breather before we post our replies to one another. I thought we were here to help one another; not criticize eath other.

[mattecook]

How silly I thougt she was adopting another bundle of joy. Silly me it is Luke and the good news should be shared by her. Thanks Cathy I should probably check out the date on the posts huh???

Ami

[oceannia]

Boy do I feel stupid....I too will start checking dates. I'm normally a lurker. But, I have had such support and help from this board during the decision to adopt, adopt from where, agency, etc. I wanted to return some help if I could.
Desilu if you would like to talk, feel free to pm me. I have done tons and tons of research on hearing impairment that I'd be happy to share. The choices that you make are yours and no one can tell you otherwise, he is your child.

Feeling silly, Oceannia

[desilu1991]

Ok, ya'll... here I am... I must admit I was a little shocked to find this thread at the top of the first page a few minutes ago.. even more shocked, when I read the post that put it there... Since this is an old thread, (5.5 months ago), a lot has happened... First I want to say to Seattle...the information that I got when I was told he had very little hearing was that the doctor in Guatemala told them he needed a cochlear implant before he was a year old or he would lose the residual hearing he does have left. I had never even heard of the implant before this. While I was waiting to find out if we were going to be able to adopt him, I got all the information I could, from folks on this forum (including hearing AND deaf members.... esp. thanks to Guatdad...). I've also gotten hooked up with the John Tracy Clinic and my husband and children and I have started taking an online class to help us get ready for Luke to come home... but that was 5 months ago...

What you don't know, is that we knew he was the baby God wanted us to have and we were thrilled to get him, whether he could hear or not. We weren't planning on getting him in hopes of "fixing" him... but we did plan on getting him seen by the best doctors we could find and getting several opinions on how we could best help him.. whether it would be hearing aids, an implant, learning sign language, or whatever. We decided we wanted to do whatever was best for him. Since we had no experience whatsoever with anyone who was deaf, I asked questions in hopes of finding some answers. We would never have accepted his referral without a lot of prayer and assurance that he was our baby. Knowing that, we were prepared to handle whatever came. In early November, a friend of mine from the forum went to visit her baby at the same hogar where Luke was. She spent a few hours with him and observed him and took pictures of him for me. She wrote me the first day and told me that she doesn't think Luke is deaf. Of course, we prayed from the beginning that God would heal his ears, if it was his will. I couldn't believe it, but she said he responded to all the different noises she made and she thot he could hear pretty well. So, after hearing that, we decided it was time for a visit. My husband and I went down right after Thanksgiving and after spending 4 days with my precious Luke, I am convinced he can hear and that he can very, very well. I honestly believe God healed his ears. We suspect, along with the people that take care of him, that being thrown in a sewer as a newborn, might have had something to do with his hearing loss and that it was just temporary. Maybe fluid and infection in his ears, that finally cleared up after a few months of antibiotics. Who knows... All I know is he is a miracle baby from the time he was born and a neighbor rescued him from the sewer. I am completely crazy about him and I would do ANYTHING for him. If that means, helping him hear, if he does happen to have any type of hearing loss, then, yes, I will do that. I think it would make his life much easier if he's able to hear and possibly speak. If he does still have a hearing loss, I will still be just as crazy about him and I will still love him with all my heart, as I do now. Nothing could make me love him any less, or treat him any differently. I feel very, very protective of him, so you don't have to worry about me taking care of my boy...He will be just fine... I'll update everyone once he's home and we've had him checked out... Thanks, Oceania, I might pm you later on...Thanks everyone, for your support.. Judy

[mattecook]

Judy,

Thanks for posting the update for Seattle. I admire your strength and courage in your adoption journey. I have absoutely no doubt that little Luke will have the best of care when he gets home to ensure that he retains his hearing. I know I prayed very hard and felt that God answered a big prayer that he could hear. I for one and I have said this before think that little Luke proved to me that the power of prayer is very real.

Ami

[desilu1991]

Ami, thank you....I, too, can tell you that I have learned that God really does answer prayers... looking back, my husband and I are AMAZED at the way we were led to Luke.. it actually began in April, even before he was born in June... I never would have found him in all my daily searches for "that face" on precious.org.. he was listed under Europe. I never looked at anything but Guatemala... it's a long story, but it was truly a miracle how he came to be ours in the first place.. we didn't know that there was another miracle to follow that, when we saw that God is healing his ears... and then we visited and the entire time, David and I just kept looking at each other and saying "he's perfect... just absolutely, completely perfect in every way..." and he is a little angel sent from God, I really believe.... We have learned more about God since we set out to adopt than we have learned in our lives combined, I think. He has really used it to open our eyes to how powerful He is... I can't wait to see what He's got planned for Luke... I know it's going to be something very, very special.... I miss him so much.... I want him home..... I'm praying for the end of March... take care, Judy

[SnoopyTigger05]

Aloha!
Unfortunately, I wouldn't go for cochlear implant. I would leave like I am hearing impaired. My beloved mom wanted my oldest deaf daughter to have cochlear implant. I told her not to cuz I prefer to leave her like that and now what? She's happily being deaf and she won being Miss Deaf Hawaii 2003. She's now a senior at Gallaudet University. Thanks god that I didn't let my beloved mom take my sweet daughter for cochlear implant. I already explained to her all about what her beloved grandma was planning to take her for this kind of implant. She thanked me so much for not having this cochlear implant. She saw few of her friends having problems with this cochlear implant and sometimes they don't help hearing much.
But to me, it's your own decision if you want your hearing impaired child to have cochlear implant and I don't want he/she to feel not regret this kind of implant. Please discuss with your hearing impaired child if he/she definitely wants or not before you go ahead with this for your child, thanks. Think it over first before you make huge mistake. My hearing impaired children are happy being themselves not having cochlear implants. Why should they?
Be Aware!

[desilu1991]

Wow, this post just keeps surfacing ... I look at the date I wrote it and it was 1year and 11 days ago and I think how far things have come in a year. I had just found out about Luke when I wrote this post and now here, one year later, he's in the next room sleeping and there's no doubt in my mind, he was meant to be mine.

To Snoopy.... I appreciate your input about cochlear implants. I was told from the beginning from my attorney and the doctors in Guatemala that Luke needed an implant. I did plenty of research and would never do something so invasive to a child unless I was absolutely positive it was in his best interests and he would be happy that I did so when he was older.

It turned out, that he didn't need an implant, or even a hearing aid after all. Some will tell me that they think the first test when he was 2.5 months old was just incorrect, but I KNOW God put His healing hands on Luke's ears and performed a miracle, just like the ones I've read about in the Bible. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but Luke's hearing is in the normal range, as of May when we had him tested and I thank God every day that He answered our prayers. It wasn't that we prayed more, or were more faithful or deserving, or worthy, but because it was His plan for Luke to hear. It was just my part to ask Him to do it.

But I really appreciate you sharing your story and informing me of what a mistake a cochlear implant could have been. I know many have differing opinions about the implant and I appreciate you sharing yours.

take care,
Judy

[SnoopyTigger05]

aloha everyone, i've told my best friend about this cochlear implant. she agreed with me about not wanting my 3 hearing impaired children to have cochlear implants. read this what she said...This is a nice story. Yes I agreed with you about cochlear and I wouldn't let do that to my kids if they are deaf or hard of hearing.--mikala56undy or not? ask me if you need to know, mahalo.Warm Mahalo,Kaila (Hawaiian name for Gail)

[Ella_and_Rick]

Hi Desilu,
You were referred to us by another member on the board.
We are interested in independent adoptions, and was wondering if you have any lawyers that you have heard about and could recommend.
Thanking you in advance for your cooperation and attention.
Regards,
Rick & Ella

[Bassette]

*LOL* I just noticed the date of the original post to which I was replying.

Suffice it to say,......never mind.

[KellyMigoya]

From what you have said and the love you can feel from your post, I think your decision has already been made. Congratulations.