Just a quick post here to let my readers know that I am still here. Just can't sit down long enough to write a post but I have some in the "pending" file.
But, I wanted to share with you all that Michael Chorost, who wrote "ReBuilt" about his cochlear implant journey, has FINALLY been approved for his bilateral implant and will be having his surgery on December 17th. I cannot tell you how excited I am for him because this has been a long battle for him. He made the announcement on his website this week. I've known about this for awhile because he sent me an email as soon as he found out. It is very hard to keep a secret like this but I couldn't say anything because of the insurance issue. Aetna, a major insurance company, has just changed their policy to include bilateral cochlear implants. This is HUGE. Now anyone with Aetna can have a chance to hear with two ears instead of one. I thought I was going to have to wait until after Michael had the surgery to tell anyone about his victory. We both have our insurance with Aetna but for some reason I was approved for bilateral implants (a year ago this month) while he had to fight for his. Let's just say that he had a little "help" with his case and I'll stop there. I can't wait for his next book to come out about being "Rebuilt" again!
I've said this before and will say it again. . .I've finally "found" my group through the Internet and my local HLAA group. What I mean by this is that for years, I didn't fit in the deaf world OR the hearing world. Since I started my CI journey, I've discovered another "world" out there of people just like me with a severe hearing loss, who grew up oral, never learning to sign, and struggled for our place in this world. People like Michael, Jennifer, Susan, Sam, Mike, Joyce, Norm, Dixie. . .just to name a few. We all have a story with a common thread. . . and I am grateful to know these special people and be a small part of their lives. Together we can "pave" the way for future generations, especially children, who struggle with hearing loss. Thank you, my friends, for all you do.
But, I wanted to share with you all that Michael Chorost, who wrote "ReBuilt" about his cochlear implant journey, has FINALLY been approved for his bilateral implant and will be having his surgery on December 17th. I cannot tell you how excited I am for him because this has been a long battle for him. He made the announcement on his website this week. I've known about this for awhile because he sent me an email as soon as he found out. It is very hard to keep a secret like this but I couldn't say anything because of the insurance issue. Aetna, a major insurance company, has just changed their policy to include bilateral cochlear implants. This is HUGE. Now anyone with Aetna can have a chance to hear with two ears instead of one. I thought I was going to have to wait until after Michael had the surgery to tell anyone about his victory. We both have our insurance with Aetna but for some reason I was approved for bilateral implants (a year ago this month) while he had to fight for his. Let's just say that he had a little "help" with his case and I'll stop there. I can't wait for his next book to come out about being "Rebuilt" again!
I've said this before and will say it again. . .I've finally "found" my group through the Internet and my local HLAA group. What I mean by this is that for years, I didn't fit in the deaf world OR the hearing world. Since I started my CI journey, I've discovered another "world" out there of people just like me with a severe hearing loss, who grew up oral, never learning to sign, and struggled for our place in this world. People like Michael, Jennifer, Susan, Sam, Mike, Joyce, Norm, Dixie. . .just to name a few. We all have a story with a common thread. . . and I am grateful to know these special people and be a small part of their lives. Together we can "pave" the way for future generations, especially children, who struggle with hearing loss. Thank you, my friends, for all you do.