So, today was the day of our big church Primary (children's) Program. Since I was one of the music leaders, I was more involved with putting the program on than your average Jill. For months the kids practiced songs that they all got up and performed today. I must say that I think it was a success. My favorite parts of the program were watching my kids participate, of course, and both said their lines with confidence. There was a very real victory for Chance as he got up in front of everyone and delivered his line. I think it is great when Chance has an opportunity to show people what deaf kids can do. They can be a part of the program like any other kid. I think several people were pleasantly surprised at Chance's reciting. He was confident, he looked out over the congregation and he spoke his memorized line while dressed like an angel. The angel Moroni to be exact. :)
Several people commented on Chance's part. Chance is blazing a trail. He is helping people to see just what he and other deaf children are capable of.
Chance took his line in the program seriously and would come up to me and recite it for me with a question in his voice to make sure that he was getting it right. He memorized it and clarified that he knew what he was saying and did not leave out any words. Many of the other kids did not memorize their parts, but it was very important to Chance to memorize his part and to say it right.
Another great result of the primary program was Chance's singing. The kids learned a new song each month throughout the year. Chance has had two implants put in this year. For a stretch after the first implant, he only had one hearing aid on for weeks. Then once the implant was on, he had to learn to hear again. I was worried that Chance might not know the songs and would stand up there surrounded by other children but feel like he was not a part of what was going on. However, during the past couple of months, the songs have been coming to Chance. He got to know the chorus of some of the songs, and he could sing parts of other songs. He is getting it! He may not have learned the song each month, but he had to put in a lot more effort than most of the other kids too. Chance is coming along and continues to put in the effort to get the job done!
Next year, I am going to put together a book of all of the songs that the kids will be learning for Chance. A book with the visuals that are being used each week. That way, he can have more time to learn the songs. I kind of did that this year too. With no scheduled surgeries, and two implants, I think Chance's abilities to learn the songs will only grow. Next year he will know more of the songs for the program and he'll just continue to increase his abilities.
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