“My Story” By JoEllen R., age 18

My name is JoEllen and I am 18 years old. My story begins when I was born 2 months premature. I was given a powerful antibiotic days after my birth due to an infection I had and they believe the antibiotic to be the cause of my hearing loss. My family knew what the risks were when I was given the antibiotic through the IV in the first place but all they cared about was keeping me alive, no matter what the cost. I could never blame them for it. 2 months after my birth before I was allowed to be taken out of the N-ICU they gave me a hearing test, and found that I was severely deaf. My mother then knew she would do everything she could for me to lead a normal life. We had therapists come to the house to work with us, teaching my mom what to do through out the week and giving me a jump start to the new task at hand, every Saturday until I reached the age of 3. She found out that the elementary school just down the road offered speech and auditory-verbal classes for the H.o.H. I started going there everyday for a few hours until I was old enough to be placed into a mainstreamed school, and not to mention my vocabulary at the time was where it would be for a normal 4 year old. After I was placed into mainstreamed school, I continued to go to speech and resource classes and they helped me tremendously. I did get picked on a lot, and it did send me home almost everyday crying. (I tend to be really sensitive) But I managed to make honor roll a bit throughout elementary school and some middle school. High school was the challenge. Math nor foreign language was my thing, I struggled a lot and spent countless hours trying to study  just to understand everything, due to the fact that my school never offered any kind of special help for the H.o.H- the FM system was as far as everything went. And I got that the last of my senior year, and that took 3 1/2 years of fighting with the school board. I have spent all of my life relying solely on lip-reading. But not only did I lose my hearing as a newborn, I began to lose the rest of it a few years ago due to the fact that I was getting sick a lot and being put on high dosage of medicine, also the fact that I have High Jugular Bulb running through both sides of my head… the luck isn’t in my favor apparently. My mom has spent time when I was younger looking into the implants but afraid it would never work, so we started looking more into it the summer/fall of ‘08. We finally got in contact with Dr. Merwin in and that is when my CI journey started, and here I am today. I am officially a CI recipient.

Before my CI things were rough. Every time I went to Wal-Mart or somewhere walking in the parking lot was a near dying experience. I lost count at how many times I about got ran over. And yes I looked. But some drivers that don’t know what stop signs are need to have their license revoked!! Music never was fully enjoyable, I would get frustrated at times and just cry. School and I hated each other with the strongest of passions, I couldn’t hear or understand the teachers 80% of the time. I thought I was gonna flunk out at one point in time. But I have always been very smart, if it weren’t for the one-on-one teaching I received for hours after school I never would have made it. I however graduated and earned some awards from my high school, mostly because of Science. I missed out on the sweetness of little voices a lot, mostly my precious nieces. Talks (sermons) in church were a struggle to understand and that definitely had me to tears. And trying to talk on the phone.. ohhhhhh do not get me started on that one.

Now, life after CI surgery is amazing, considering I was activated December 10th 2009. I love to learn new things. But I don’t, however, really like the college I am attending right now that much, which is why I am moving to attend BYU-I!! I have gotten a few scholarships and now have a full ride. I am pretty excited about it. I enjoy playing with my niece and her ever so constantly screaming “AUNT JOEY!!!!!.. LOOK!!” And it is then I smile in delight and toss her up in the air. Then giggles follow, they warm my heart. Going shopping isn’t as frightening anymore.. yes I still about get my butt ran over by people that don’t know how to look before backing out of parking spaces, etc… but that don’t ruin my whole day anymore. Church.. oh my.. wahoo!! I love church, as a matter of fact, since I got activated I was called to teach the 3-5 year old kids, and there are 11 of them!! I have given talks in front of the whole congregation, during baptisms, and random activities. I found that I have a passion for being motivational and sharing my experiences and how they have strengthened my relationship with our Father in Heaven. Now when I have tears during those talks, it isn’t because I am sad, it is because I feel amazing and happy. Also another thing, to hear the sweet whispers of my friends and family gives me chills knowing I can really hear them now. And talking on the phone is good.. not the best, I don’t really like talking on the phone. I am more of a texting and face-to-face person. But it can be done unlike before.

All in all, having a CI has changed my life, and it has changed my life for the better. I am strongly considering going bilateral. I want that double joy. I know that I will continue to improve for the rest of my life. And that puts a smile upon my face.