You May Say I'm A Dreamer, But I'm Not The Only One: 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.