9th Grade – I was struggling in school trying to keep my grades at least a B+ while my hearing continued getting worse to where I was missing a lot and my speech discrimination was decreasing. I tired several different hearing aids maxing out the settings and volumes realizing that hearing aids really weren’t helping me. I was not really involved with school clubs and pretty much stayed to myself.
--Summer-– I got the Cochlear Implant.
10th Grade – I had to relearn sounds all over again and get used to life with the Cochlear Implant - 8 hour batteries, no leaning up against the fridge or the car, dealing with hearing my dogs licking themselves all the time, etc. My grades in school were getting better and I was starting to become more confident with my hearing and slowly started getting more involved with clubs.
--Summer-- VolunTEEN for the first time in the OR at the Children’s Hospital.
11th Grade - I got the new Harmony Cochlear Implant. I was hearing great and loved being able to hear and talk to my friends. I made straight A’s in school and became really involved with clubs and planning Prom and Homecoming events. Started taking the SAT and ACT’s getting ready for college.
--Summer–- VolunTEEN again in the OR at the Children’s Hospital. Got asked out for the first time and became obsessed with Swing Dancing.
12th Grade - Still hearing great, making straight A’s in school, staying involved with clubs and Swing Dancing all the time. I got accepted to my dream college (Berry College) getting amazing scholarships for my hearing and academics.
---MAY 24, 2008 – I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL ---
My Grandparents and me by my graduation sign!
My parents and me
My brother, Jonathan, and me
(he was ushering with the ROTC at my Graduation)
Me with some friends after Graduation
Now, as you can probably tell, before I got the Implant my life was pretty boring and I was a bit more kept to myself because I wasn’t hearing that great and I didn’t have much confidence in myself because of my hearing. I was too scared to get involved because I was too afraid I couldn’t hear anyone or that they would laugh at me because I couldn’t hear or understand what everyone was saying.
But once I got the implant, my life began to change. I was hearing so much better, I started becoming more confident in myself, became more involved with clubs and Swing Dancing, started dating, my grades got better, and I was happier about myself and my life.
And now, in about 7 weeks I’m moving out into my dorm on campus and I get to enjoy the next 4 years of College. Only now… I can’t wait to get involved and to meet new people. :)
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3 comments:
Glad to hear you're coming to Berry. You should stop by the SGA office and meet the SGA officers.
-John Cason
SGA Treasurer
I just loved reading this! What a testament!
Congratulations, Sam! You are an inspiration! Best of luck for continued success in college!
I hope you'll consider adding your blog to Deaf Village (www.deafvillage.com) -- parents of newly identified D/HOH children would love to read your story and hear of how much you have been able to accomplish!
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