The school aids are seeing a big impact with the second implant

I went into Chance's class to help out today and I talked to one of the aids in Chance's afternoon class. She told me how well Chance was doing and how much progress she has seen. She said that yesterday, she was teaching the kids about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln for Presidents’ day. The goal was to talk about something, then talk about something else and then come back to the original topic to see what the kids remembered. She said that Chance's hand was up first each time she asked questions about things like "What did George Washington like to eat?" (he liked to eat ice cream).

She also talked about how attentive Chance is and that he is getting what is being said. Chance's teacher has said the same thing.

In his reading class, Chance is making remarkable progress. He is gaining confidence in his reading and sounding out harder words. This is especially important as in the past, deaf children have notoriously been behind in reading after about the 4th grade. In fact, it used to be a 4th grade reading level was standard for deaf kids even as adults. Technology has helped improve that, but reading is still a skill that needs extra attention in deaf children.

One of the highlights of my conversation with the classroom aid was when she said that working with Chance was great and it made her want to be a teacher.

We are so grateful for all of the people who impact Chance's life and help him. We could not do it with out them. And Chance is winning hearts as more and more of his personality can come out and he can reach his potential and do the things that he wants to do.

Each week in Chance's class, they read a story and then send the kids down to the computer lab where the kids are asked questions about the story to see what they are understanding. Chance got all 5 questions right two weeks ago and again today! This is great progress considering that when Chance started taking these tests, he would get maybe 2 or 3 out of 5. Chance's face is so expressive and he beams when he knows the answer to the questions.

We may be slightly biased, but we think Chance is a great kid.