Having a deaf child can turn ordinary events into something more interesting. For example, Chance was invited to a birthday party today. Nothing out of the ordinary about that. This party was going to be held at a swimming pool. Chance doesn't hear much at all with out his implants and he can not wear them while he is swimming:)
We discussed what we should do. Should we send the implants with Chance so that he could hear on the way to the pool and then hear after everyone got out of the pool to do the presents? Where would Chance put them while he was swimming? Would the parents at this party feel comfortable being in charge of the implants ? There were probably lockers, but Chance is still a bit young to keep track of key while he swims. And he has never used a locker before by himself.
The other option was, Chance leaves the implants at home but misses out on all of the conversation to the pool and can't hear when the presents are being opened etc.
We talked to the parents of the boy having the party and ended up sending Chance with his implants. It was made a little easier by the fact that Chance's older brother was also invited to the party so we told him to remind the other kids that while they were swimming, Chance would not be able to hear them and they would need to tap him or wave at him to get his attention. It is very easy for little kids to forget that when Chance does not have his implants on, he does not hear them. You can't blame them, it is not something they really think about. In the summer, I have to remind the neighborhood kids sometimes when they are all playing in our little pool or having a water gun fight that Chance can not hear them because his implants are off. Chance does read lips quite well, but that doesn't help when your friend is yelling at you to get out of the way because he is jumping into the pool.
When Chance' s dad talked to the mother of the boy having the party, she was very nice about it. (Another one of our great neighbors). He told her that Chance would not be able to hear while they were swimming and she said that she would be sure to remind her son that Chance would not be able to hear in the pool so to make sure that he was still included. Chance ended up putting his implants inside of his little implant case and leaving them in the car while they swam.
Chance can do anything that any other child can do, sometimes the deafness just makes it more interesting.
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