Playing ball when you’re deaf

She's come a long way since she got her first glove in 2003.

Riley’s had two softball practices with another set for Saturday. She’s paying better attention this year, but we still need to figure out a better way to communicate than just yelling at her. It’s hard for anyone to hear a coach yelling from the dugout during a game and even harder when you’re hearing impaired. That’s one reason we’re considering an FM system … so she can hear easily whether she’s on the field, in the classroom or out in the backyard.

Another family offered to let Riley try out the system their children no longer use, so I think a phone call is in order. Of course, the system will have to be tweaked to complement Riley’s hearing and programs, but we should get started on this soon.

The first two practices were COLD – the poor girls were bundled up so tightly they could barely move! And you know how much it hurts when you swing the bat and don’t hit the ball solidly. Ouch!

She batted right-handed the first practice and did OK, but she switched back to being a lefty the second day and did even better. I’m going to let her decide how she’s most comfortable at the plate. Lefty or righty, it’s her choice.

The coach worked her out at second base and Riley did really well for her first time on the field since May. Several of the other girls played throughout the fall and are also playing on a travel team during the community season, too. They’re getting a lot more reps, but Riley will catch up.

I’m the dugout mom again – keeping the batting order; making sure helmets, batting gloves and bats are where they’re supposed to be; helping the catcher get dressed; bandaging any scrapes or strawberries; and yelling for mom or dad if I can’t help. Basically, several moms are tag-teaming to take care of everything from uniforms to snacks to picture day to concession duty.

Ryan might pitch, if he can work out his schedule so he can be there e

nough. It won’t be fair for him to start as the pitcher and have the girls get used to him then have to rotate someone else in.

We’re all ready for spring and softball and warm weather.

Edited: March 3rd, 2010

How do you map an ear?

Audiologist Emily Rector checks the connection between Riley's CI processor and the computer.

Yesterday I talked about taking Riley to her mapping appointment at the HEAR Center. You’re probably wondering what that means. Mapping means programming. It’s a little like upgrading the software on your computer. Sometimes your computer slows down or needs a boost to do some new processes.

Riley wears her CIs everywhere but in the water and to sleep

Same thing with the CI processors, which are the pink and blue devices you see Riley wearing. They contain tiny computers that need occasional updates.

The cochlear implant processors have to be readjusted at various intervals depending on how long a child has worn them. For example, when Riley first got her CIs, she had to get them mapped every month for the first couple of months. Then every three months for a couple of years. After nearly seven years, unless she’s having trouble with the CI, Riley’s map is updated every six months.

The audiologist hooks the processors to her computer and updates the software on them. This mapping sets the devices’ electrode stimulation levels in Riley’s cochlea so she can detect soft and loud sounds comfortably.

Over time, Riley will adapt to the settings. What was once too loud might become too soft as her brain’s auditory center gets used to the sounds. Then we’ll go back for another mapping session.

Edited: February 24th, 2010

Focusing on my subjects

Here’s the blogging schedule I’m going to try to keep so I’ll have some focus. If something comes up, I’ll be flexible even if it doesn’t particularly fit the day. Maybe this will help me be more organized and consistent.

Media Mondays (pop culture, writing)

Worth it Wednesdays (cochlear implants/hearing loss/family)

Fitness Fridays (sports, workouts)

Edited: February 22nd, 2010

Coping with a child’s hearing loss

Ryan, Riley, Tiff at Lullabies on the Links benefit golf tournament

ADVANCE for Audiologists magazine featured my family’s story as part of a series on Maintaining Patient Dignity. The piece is called The Coping Parent:

“In many cases, the parents of hearing-impaired children may need more counseling from their audiologists than the patients themselves.”

The article talks about ways audiologists can make it easier for parents to understand and deal with a diagnosis of hearing loss. And do it without belittling or being condescending toward parents.

Frank Visco, the assistant editor, did a wonderful job telling our story and putting together a slideshow of Riley. He found us through my post Delivering the Diagnosis: Your Child Is Deaf. Please visit the magazine’s site and leave a comment if you enjoyed the article.

Have you ever had a doctor or nurse make you feel like dumb like our first ENT did? How did you handle it? What else can doctors do to help patients’ families cope? Leave me a comment. Thanks!

Edited: February 19th, 2010

Softball and cochlear implants

Riley as a lefty

It’s time to gear up for softball season again, and once again, Riley will have the same coach. It’s nice that we won’t have to explain about her cochlear implants or that she needs you to use gestures if she’s in the outfield and you want her to move or running the bases and you want her to stop. Even with typical hearing, it’s hard to hear when you’re playing and the crowd is cheering and all the coaches are yelling.

This will be her second year of fast-pitch coach-pitch softball, so we should see some improvement in her hitting. She wasn’t bad last year; it just took her a while to get comfortable and find a zone.

Ryan took her to a friend’s for a little batting practice in the garage, (they have a net and use wiffle balls) and she did well. However, she has now gone from batting lefty to righty. Ryan said she did much better right-handed. Maybe it’s all the Wii we’ve been playing. <span style=”font-style:italic;”>(The photo above is before she made the switch. That’s Ryan in the back left, and Big G on tee duty.)</span>

Riley is ready, except for a new batting helmet and cleats, which we’ll probably get this weekend since practices start next week. Games start the end of March. And since I’m not at the newspaper anymore, I won’t have to be in a hurry to get back home to my desk.

Go, Riley!

Edited: February 18th, 2010

Refocusing in the new year

Like the photo above, 2009 was a little out of focus for me. My job underwent several changes, my dad faced serious health issues, and things were just tough. 2010 promises to be interesting and exciting, and I have some focused goals. This is one of my first:

I’m refocusing my blog, basically combining my old blog with this one so I can write about, in one place, all the things I am passionate about: sports, cochlear implants, writing, my family, music and books.

I’m thinking of setting up a schedule where I post about sports/fitness on Mondays, CIs/hearing loss/family on Wednesdays, and writing/music/books/movies on Fridays. But I’ll be flexible. If something comes up and doesn’t quite fit my schedule, I’ll still post about it.

This current mish-mash of topics and sporadic posting is annoying. I’d like to get more readers and become more interactive and give as much as I get out of this blog.

So look for a more defined blog, and if I get off track, feel free to call me on it.

And Roll Tide Roll!

Edited: January 6th, 2010

Rock out while helping deaf kids hear

Edited: December 23rd, 2009

Riley at random

Roller skating, Red Robin, Railroad tracks, Roll Tide Roll!

Edited: November 27th, 2009

Who Says You Can’t Go Home?

Whoever said it lied! Ryan, Riley and I are back home with my parents. Which means our house finally sold! Hooray!

Never fear, we’re just here until we find another house. We probably won’t be here past the first of the year. It’s not bad–we have two rooms to ourselves; unfortunately, neither is a bathroom. We’ve learned to take turns.

During our 2-block move, Riley had tonsillitis, a sinus infection and a bit of bronchitis, which meant 2 antibiotics, an oral steroid and cough syrup. She was a trouper, though. Ryan’s mom was also here for Riley’s 4th birthday. It was a big slumber party. Everyone enjoyed the cozy atmosphere.

Riley went back to school today for the first time in 2 weeks, and she wasn’t happy when I left. However, the traveling pumpkin patch came to school, so she brightened up when she found out she could paint a pumpkin.

My days are brightened by the fact that I have my tickets to Bon Jovi’s Nashville show in February. Woohoo! Talk about a fun girls night out. I have two girlfriends ready to go…Ryan is on standby if No. 3 can’t make it. But who’d want to miss it??!

Speaking of Bon Jovi, check out the new album “Have a Nice Day.” My post title is also the title of one of the band’s new songs. Fitting, huh? Another that fits our situation is “Welcome to Wherever You Are” with the line “Right here, right now, you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

Later…

Edited: October 25th, 2005

100 Things

Updated Nov. 15, 2007

1. I’m a writer in a copy editor’s job.
2. I have a widow’s peak.
3. I never thought I’d get married.
4. I did.
5. We celebrated 10 years June 17. (12 years in 2007)
6. I have a wonderful 3-year-old daughter. (She’s now 6!)
7. I married a smart jock.
8. I have had several nicknames–Amazon, Manute, Long Tall Sally …
9. I’m 5’9.
10. I have scarred knees–sports, car wreck.
11. I like my freckles.
12. I majored in Journalism. Univ. of North Alabama
13. I was voted Best School Spirit as senior in high school.
14. I introduced myself to my husband.
15. I like it hot.
16. The weather, that is.
17. Fave meal: pinto beans, cornbread, fried taters, sweet tea.
18. I’m proud to be from the South.
19. I’m not proud of a lot of its past.
20. I thought I’d be a semi-famous writer living in NYC.
21. Well, at least I visited. Saw “Cats” and “Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway, and Hulk Hogan at Hard Rock.
22. My hometown has less than 2000 people.
23. Richard Marx was my first concert.
24. Lynyrd Skynyrd and Allman Brothers was most recent. Update: Daughtry and Velcro Pygmies were my last.
25. I wish I’d sneaked out to go to a Bon Jovi concert when I was 15.
26. I finally got to see them 15 years later. It’s My Life
27. I’ve won a couple journalism awards.
28. I love ’80s music.
29. And oldies.
30. And Harry Connick Jr.
31. And some of today’s artists … Gavin DeGraw, Daughtry, The Killers.
32. I wish I’d kept writing. (I’m writing again … and getting paid to do it.)
33. I’m a Body for Lifer. BFL
34. I wish I could sing.
35. Or play guitar.
36. I love to dance.
37. And sing in my car.
38. Fave movies: “Grease,” “Dirty Dancing,” “The Outsiders.”
39. Disney movies: “Mulan,” “Pocahontas.”
40. I wanted to be a rock star…See # 34.
41. I have 2 crooked toes.
42. I win at Pictionary and Trival Pursuit.
43. I suck at Scrabble.
44. I love Bon Jovi.
45. And Elvis.
46. Fave books: “Traveling Mercies” (Anne Lamott), “I Don’t Know How She Does It” (Allison Pearson), “If You Want to Write (Brenda Ueland)
47. First book I read for pleasure: “Chad and the Elephant Engine” (gift from 2nd-grade teacher)
48. Longest book: “Gone with the Wind,” 1024 pages, Christmas break in sophomore year of high school.
49. Most recent books: “Same Sweet Girls,” “gods in Alabama.” Faster Than Kudzu “2nd Chance” by James Patterson, “Writer Mama” by Christina Katz, “The Department of the Lost and Found” by Allison Winn Scotch.
50. First car: 1987 Honda Accord stick shift
51. First car I ever drove: orange 1964 Ford Falcon
52. Car wrecks: 2; Me Driving: 1; My fault: 0
53. I like to take pictures.
54. I was MVP of my high school volleyball team.
55. And valedictorian of the Class of 1990.
56. I regret not taking that scholarship to UA.
57. But I enjoyed playing softball in junior college.
58. Because it was 2 years’ of free education.
59. Brett Favre is my favorite athlete.
60. I’ve read the whole Bible.
61. I’ve never broken a bone–knock on wood.
62. I loved Dale Murphy of the Atlanta Braves when I was growing up.
63. I wish we lived at the beach.
64. My daughter is deaf.
65. But she can hear with her cochlear implants. She got her second in April 2007.
66. We go to auditory-verbal therapy once a week.
67. We do at-home therapy every day.
68. Hearing her say “Mommy” and “Papa” and “love you” for the first time was overwhelming.
69. New words are coming every day.
70. She’s fearless.
71. I love flip-flops.
72. I hate sticker grass…ouch!
73. I tried out for cheerleader in high school.
74. Didn’t make it.
75. Thank God!
76. My first beer was in college: Natural Light
77. My most recent was three weeks ago … Corona. (Still most recent.)
78. I had a hangover after just two.
79. My daughter loves Dora.
80. I like “Backyardigans.”
81. Hubby likes “Recess.”
82. Worst movie: “Rocky V.”
83. I’m contemplating a tattoo.
84. So is my mom.
85. My hubby and my brother have two.
86. My dad got his while in the Army.
87. My mom is the kindest person I know.
88. And one of my best friends.
89. Juco English Comp teacher gave me confidence in my writing.
90. I’ve misplaced it, though. (Now, I’ve found it again.)
91. Farthest North I’ve ever been: NYC
92. Farthest South: Captiva Island, Florida
93. Farthest East: NYC
94. Farthest West: Hutchinson, Kansas
95. I have shot a gun. Once. Scary.
96. I’m big on family gatherings.
97. I love Jack’s hamburgers & fries, chocolate ice cream, Hershey bars, Milky Ways.
98. I’m just a small-town girl.
99. I like who I am now, but …
100. It’s never too late to be what I might have been.

Edited: June 12th, 2005