Implant Anniversary

Three years ago, October 24, 2004, my cochlear implant was activated. For 18 years I suffered in the realms of amplified sounds via bilateral digital hearing aids. Many moons ago, when CI technology peeked over the horizon, I resisted the audiologists recommendation for the operation.

Looking back at what three years has taught me, and what the future may or may not promise. I have learned there is beauty in silence and in hearing; each person has a unique voice of distinctive harmony. NO longer do I have to stretch my neck or my eyes to investigate sound. There are many factors to successful speech discrimination, and within speech is clarity, tone and inflection. I have learned that facial expression is one small component of self-expression - tone and volume are other important factors too. I never realized a person could keep a straight-face yet have the most stern, serious voice with an angry tone. I have learned that young children can cry out of hunger, fatigue, urgency or loneliness. I have become a better, more understanding parent.

I'm wearing the most technological advanced Cochlear Implant on the market; the promise of better technology is all part of Advanced Bionics' mission to ensure the internal device can be upgraded via the external processor (i.e., I will not undergo additional surgery).

I have traveled throughout the United States sharing my story, my journey to hearing, from a world of silence-filled with depression and confusion. Many have been touched, and even made the personal decision to pursue a Cochlear Implant, including my oldest brother, Fred.

I love hearing, I love the freedom I have gained with my Cochlear Implant, and I look forward to additional self-discovery. I look forward to acoustically challenging environments, such as concert halls and banquet facilities. I look forward to my ever-expanding horizon of hearing, because within sound I have discovered is the beauty of life.

more flashback to the 80's

Beautiful!

I love these little outfits!

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit from Annie and Joshua's Uncle Brett and Aunt Krista!

Welcome Home Mercy!

This is our good friends beautiful new daughter from China. She is so precious. I long for our time to adopt.

Jockey's Ridge

Here is one of the many views of Jockey's Ridge - An amazingly huge (14 story) sand dune in the Outer Banks of NC. It's gorgeous at sunset an even though I've been many many times it never ceases to amaze me. God is so interesting in His creation. :) I wonder what could be under all that sand? More sand or a ship wreck or dinosaurs?

what's wrong with my printer?

oh, this explains!

Back from the beach!

A big hello to my faithful one or two readers. We are back from the beach, a lively time had by all; nonetheless I'm glad to be home in an environment of less chatter. No post is a good post without pictures - enjoy!

flashback to the 80's

You know you listened to this song a million times when no one was around :)

Smokey the Bear

Annie stood there for ten minutes after it said "hi there Annie, how are you?"

The Ohio State Fair

Annie and I took a quick weekend road trip to see my dad (annie's pa-pa Jim). On Saturday we went to the Ohio State Fair - the largest in the US. If you've never been - one highlight is the buttered cow sculpture - i thought it would be so neat for Annie to see and experience the thrill and frills of Ohio-culture. We had a great time.

where in the world are the Royer's?

You may be wondering where we've been..?? Well, being the super-smart mom and dad we are, we left our camera at my mom's new house an hour south of us! So, we can't post any pictures until the piece-of-clunk arrives in the mail. However, I was able to steal this from my mom. Beautiful casa - 5,000 sq feet, three car garage (one spot is for the lawnmower). 3.85 acres. Lovely.