Five Years Ago.

March 18, 2008.

Coming up in a few days is the 18th. March 18th, five years ago, I had surgery to get a cochlear implant.
"A cochlear implant, is a surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing."

I was born with severe hearing loss in both ears. I got my first set of hearing aids just before turning one. As I grew older I became profoundly deaf in my left ear, receiving no benefit from the hearing aid which led to getting the cochlear implant when I was 11(almost 12) years old.

As a 6th grader this can be very scary. When my parents and I first talked about it I was set, not changing my mind with my answer being no. I didn't want surgery. I thought it was terrifying.
After my parents finally convincing me and going through with the surgery, I wouldn't change one moment. Yes, it was scary. I woke up from the anesthesia crying because I was in so much pain. I was originally an out-patient so I was supposed to leave, but I ended up having to stay all night. I spent a couple weeks being a lazy bum because I wasn't aloud to do active things.

April 1st-the day we turned on the cochlear implant. I was almost in shock. I wasn't used to hearing so much noise. The first thing I heard was the sirens outside the window. Leaving the doctors office I started noticing things I had never heard before-birds chirping and the blinker in the car.

Even though it was painful and scary, I am so glad I did this. It was all worth it. It has helped me so much in everyday life. It helped me a lot in the classroom setting a school. Also with my hobby as a piano player, and just normal conversations with my family and friends. I am blessed. 

 Before surgery - waiting room

Before surgery-with my dad

 

After surgery

 

I am so extremely thankful for the amazing love and support I had.

One of my best friends, Breanna Sikes came to visit(:

 

My piano teacher, Mrs. Koker gave this to me.

It even has the year on the sleeve(:

 

Just a few of the letters I received(:

 

Encourage.

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Encourage

To give courage or hope to; to reassure; to help.

This morning I woke up with a text message from my best friend: “I hope you have a fantastic day! Love you and praying for you!” Even though this is just a short message, it means a lot! It helps me to know that I’m not fighting through the struggles of life alone. That there are people standing in my corner, being there for me.

Over the last two years I have received many, many letters. It amazes me that even though not everyone knows my story or knows what I’ve gone through, they still are willing to encourage me, pray with me, and be there for me. One of the letters I received had a picture and all it said was “I believe in you.” This one is my favorite, because even though it has just a few words, it’s so powerful. It overwhelms me to know that there are people believing in me even when I don’t believe in myself.

Being an encouragement is important. You never know how much a simple message can make someone’s day. That message may be the only thing getting them through the day. We all need a little encouragement sometimes.

I have been so amazingly blessed with the people I have in my life. I can’t thank people enough for the love and support they have given me. It has helped me a lot to know people haven’t given up on me and are walking with me through life, because we aren’t supposed to go through life alone.

Thank you guys for believing in me.

Old Window: DIY Project

These last few weeks have been extremely exhausting and stressful. I finally spent my Saturday at home trying to relax. I love relaxing but I can't just sit around the house all day doing nothing, I have to be doing something. So I thought, why not spend the day at home doing something I enjoy.
My dad has been working hard all day on replacing all of our windows(Thank you Dad!). As my brother and I helped him carry all of the old windows to the garage, I thought I could use these for something.
Here it goes:

OLD WINDOW:DIY PROJECT

1) I got an old window that we were going to end up throwing away.

2) I put the window over a trash can and got a hammer and some work gloves.

3)I smashed out all of the glass with the hammer.
       -Probably is dangerous and not smart.

4) Don't worry, got some eye protection on.
       -haha. wouldn't have been good if glass flew up in my eye.

5) After smashing out all of the glass, I repainted it white.
     -yes, I put them on cans so I could paint around it easier.

6) I hung it up on my wall and put some things of mine in each pane.

Closer look:

 --In each pane, I put in a picture, letter, object, that meant something to me.
       -top left: I have an encouraging letter that helps me get through each day.
       -top middle: Another letter and a picture of my family with my Mama Bear at her 100th birthday celebration in February 2012.
       -top right: Pictures of me and my best friends.
       -bottom left: A drawing my little sister gave me while I was away. Also a picture of us.
       -bottom middle: The Beatles booklet(one of my all time favorite bands!:D) and all my medals from piano contests(so excited to go again this April!)
          -bottom right: MNU sticker(future college), GO PIONEERS!(: -"To Write Love On Her Arms" stick(movement I'm passionate about) ---here's a link to a blog post I posted about it--- http://alexiskathrynnorth.blogspot.com/2012/10/twloha.html  -also a letter I recieved from HCA(Heritage Christian Academy) basketball last year(10th grade).