One Family’s Journey
In Hindsight
By Tristen Dodd, Montana H&V
Becoming a new mom is unlike anything else. From the first positive pregnancy test through the days’ long stay at the hospital, emotions flood over a new mother like a tsunami. Tons of decisions must be made before the bundle of joy makes his or her entrance into the world. Genetic testing, ultrasounds, vaccinations, birthing plans: a new mother is faced with all of these and more. However, when the baby is found to have different needs, a whole new plethora of decisions come into play.
When my now two-year-old daughter was born, she didn’t pass the newborn hearing screening. Professionals, mentors, doctors, friends, and family all wanted to know what our plan was. Whether it was hearing technology, signing, listening and spoken language, we felt as though the decision had to be made right then and there. Not only did we need to make these decisions right away, but these decisions were going to dictate the rest of her life and determine whether she would be a successful, contributing member of society, all before she was six months old.
As I write this, I now await the arrival of my newborn son. He could be hearing, he could be deaf/hard of hearing. I am prepared either way. I know the importance of following up with audiologists for my child. I know the importance of language acquisition for my child, regardless of modality. And I know the importance of community and culture for my family.
In hindsight, I now realize these decisions are fluid. One decision that’s made when my child is five months old may not be an accurate reflection of our family when my child is five years old. There is no right or wrong answer. There is no “one size fits all” solution for all children and families.
In hindsight, it was as important then as it is now. Our motto: What works for the child is what makes the choice right, whether that child is the first deaf/hard of hearing child in the family or the fourth, rings more true than ever. Each child may use different languages and different modalities. At the end of the day, a child is so much more than his or her hearing ability. ~
Editor’s note: Tristen and her daughter, Gemma, new brother, Cru, live in Great Falls, Montana with her husband Ben. Gemma attends the Montana School for the Deaf and Blind and is thriving.
H&V Communicator – Winter 2019