Last Wednesday Cormac had his last day at Summit SPeech School :) He will be heading to preschool in September. While we are thrilled he is doing so well we are sad his time at Summit is over. Luckily, his support services in district will be provided by Summit so we will still be part of the school. I am hoping we stay part of the Summit family forever. Our lives would not be the same if we had not found out about Summit and we will be forever grateful for all of their support over the last three years.
On the car ride to school his last day I was thinking to myself "I hope we are making the right decision. I hope he will be OK. You know, all the usual self doubts you have regarding decisions we make about our children. As I am thinking all this I hear from the back seat "Mommy?" I say "yes Cormac?" He says "Why is there no contrail coming out of that plane flying in the sky?" My first response was "I don't know". My second was "you are going to be alright kid!" And he says "I know Mommy." Then he says "Contrail looks just like a comet!". Gotta love this kid. I don't know many people LET ALONE three year olds who know the word contrail. Anyway, it made me feel just awesome that day. Totally made me forget my worries (for a while).
They made him a special breakfast and I was able to stay with him for his last morning. It was sweet how the kids interacted with him. He certainly has no problems making friends.
By the way, the Eye Spy containers were a huge success. The glue gun was not sufficient and we had a minor spilling of rice but I was able to put clear packing tape on them and you can't even see it. Now they are more durable. We played Eye Spy for the long trip to the beach last weekend.
As we reach this next milestone in Cormac's journey I still can't believe all he has accomplished. He continues to baffle me on a daily basis with what he can hear and say. He NEVER stops learning. He loves it. His ability to recall information is better than mine. I honestly think he has a photographic memory. I have never really seen anything quite like it.
We spent approximately 112 hours in the car just commuting to Summit since April. I then spent approximately 225 hours entertaining Ciaran and Colin while Cormac was in school. I was pregnant and had a baby somewhere in there too. For the last month or so I had Calleigh along for the commute and the wait time. I say this not to complain but to just know while it was a tough time for us IT WAS WORTH EVERY MINUTE OF OUR TIME! It's time we will never get back and I mean that in a good way. For Cormac this was and is the most important time. We can't go back to being three when he is six. What he achieves now is the strong foundation he will need for his future.
For those of you who read this who are in the beginning of your journey to hearing just know it gets better. It gets easier. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It's tiring, it can be frustrating at times but I think the rewards are just so much sweeter. We might never know why we were chosen to have children who are deaf but know that your hard work is rewarded. Years from now when are children are successful, happy adults you won't even remember how tiring it was to get there (I hope).
The last two weeks have been hectic. Calleigh is already 16 days old. She is still in the hospital. She is doing great especially the last two days. She is starting to eat more and more. I have guilt for not being with her all day. I have guilt for leaving the boys so much to see her. It has not been easy but somehow we have been working it out. Life will be so much better when everyone is under one roof.
On Tuesday we went to Summit Speech School for their graduation ceremony. Cormac isn't graduating but all the preschoolers were involved in the program. I swear, I cried through the entire show. These kids have come so far. I have known a lot of them from the beginning of group class. I have seen them all make huge strides over the past year or so. What really got me crying was the music. They played the song "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus. (It's playing on the blog as you read this :) ) Last week on the ride home from the hospital that song came on the radio. Frank was driving and I told him to listen to the word to the song. I said "this should be the anthem for our family". I was crying like a baby. Well, I walk into graduation and they are reading the lyrics from that song. It was all I needed for the water works to start.
Here is a little video from the ceremony. Cormac is wearing the red hawaiian shirt. He is the smallest kid up there. I am pretty sure he is one of the youngest at the school at the moment.
Even though Calleigh isn't home I am still not allowed to sleep through the night. Since I want to breast feed her if possible I have been getting up every three hours to pump. Not an enjoyable experience but necessary.
Cormac also got his evaluation from Summit. I will give you all the good news about it in another post.
Last Monday, April 20th, Cormac started Summit Speech School for preschool! He is going just mornings until the school year ends. He will attend mainstream preschool in the fall with his brothers with support services from Summit. I don't know where to start about how it went. The first day I dropped him off I was by myself and didnt have the boys with me. I was so nervous and scared and wondered how he would react. I brought him in and he walked away without a worry in the world! I went to my car and cried! I know, silly, but he seemed so small walking away from me with his new Diego backpack. I was able to come back inside and observe him in class without him knowing. I watched for about 1/2 hour. He joined right in Miss Margies' class. My heart swelled with pride as I watched him join a small group of children he never met and join right in.
He participated right away and asked lots of questions. He was thrilled to be able to show off pictures of his family. He even told them "Daddy's name is Frank!". I was just amazed to see him all on his own. Here was my deaf son on his own to make his needs and wants met and he was able to do it! When I returned to pick him up 3 hours later he could not be happier. He was thrilled to see me but didn't mind one bit being at school. The rest of the week went just as well for him. He continues to look forward to school and has been getting wonderful reports from his teacher and his SLP.
I drive him every day and Ciaran and Colin come with me. It's sort of crazy in the morning. We have to be out of the house by 7:55 to get him to school by 8:45am. I then need to find something to do for the next three hours. Since the school is about 50 minutes from our house it makes no sense at all to go back home. Shopping every day while it would be great is not feasible :) Needless to say we have all been tired and a little out of whack for the past 10 days. Doesn't help being 7 months pregnant either!
The funny thing is Colin get the most upset about leaving Cormac. I thought for sure Cormac would get upset but he jumps out of the car and says "see you later, brothers!". Colin cries every day and says he want to be deaf and get implants!" He also says "I just want Cormac back!". Too adorable. On Friday he was crying and I said "it's alright, Colin, we will pick him up soon". Know what that little bugger said to me? "Mommy, I'm not Colin, you dropped the wrong kid off!" I nearly wet my pants with laughter.
Ciaran and Colin really want to go to "big boy school" and I was lucky enough to find a place to take them 2 mornings a week. They will start on Friday. That means I will have 6 hours to myself a week. Granted, I won't be home and will have to find something to entertain myself but I don't think that will be a problem..... I already know I am getting a pedicure on Friday!
I hope they do as well as Cormac going to school. I am worried about COlin because he has some issues when I leave him. BUT they have both been asking me everyday "did you find us a big boy school yet?. I can't believe I will all three of them in school. It's so sad to me but on the other hand I can tell it will be so good for them. They will love it and Mommy won't know what to do with herself.
Let's see.. What are some things they have said or done lately to crack me up?
Apparently, Cormac was making a collage at school. Out of nowhere he looks over at the girl next to him and says "Olyvia, you are very, very beautiful". Look out ladies...
I was at my Dad's place and COlin found a PSEG model work truck. He was in love. I told him "unlce Bill worked there until he retired" He says a little later "uncle bill worked there until he was tired and needed a nap". Really, not too far off (LOL) by the time we retire we are tired!
Ciaran's personality has changed the most. He is so funny lately. He is also very into making sure he is the "best" boy. I have NO problem with this!
I have some pictures from Cormac's first day at school and a video of them reuniting after. I have to download them still.
I also gave my speech at Summit Speech School's fundraiser. More to come on that. It deserves it's own post. The boys STOLE THE SHOW!
Today I met with the director of Summit Speech School. Cormac receives his teacher of the deaf sevices in the house from Summit and also attends a group class once a week at Summit. I wanted to meet with her to discuss what she thought was best for Cormac as he turns three and is no longer eligible for early intervention and is transitioned over to the local school district.
The conversation started with her telling me that Cormac is going to be just fine. She was impressed with what his reports said. She even said she thought might have been done incorrectly and rechecked them becasue she could not believe the progess he has made. Basically, he went from saying nothing, to 2 words and then made a huge jump to long sentences. She said he is a child who will not have trouble learning to read (an issue for some deaf/hearing impaired children). She said he uses words that are normall difficult for deaf children to learn and have to be taught. (any, some) and he understands complex and even abstract concepts. She could not be more pleased with his progress. She said if I had been waiting for a moment to sigh in relief, this was my moment!
Ok, can you say excited??? I know Cormac is doing well. I know how hard he works. I know how much effort goes into our everyday lives to MAKE SURE he is getting what he needs. But, I am his Mom so I always think maybe he could be doing better. To hear a professional tell me he is doing better and that he is "almost right there", meaning caught up to his actual age (he is 34 months old. His receptive langugage is at 33-36 months. His expressive is at 31-33 months) when he has only been hearing 18 months is just such wonderful news. I am so proud of Cormac. He is truly amazing.
My big dilema about what to do with him for school is hopefully solved for now. I still have to wait for the school district but I think they will be open to Summit's recommendations. When he turns 3 in April he will attend Summit for mornings only (not full day). This way he can still spend the rest of the day with his brothers and he won't feel so separated from them. I am going to have a hard time letting him go 3 hours a day but it's what is best for Cormac. We are going to do this for 6 months. In September all the boys will start preschool at a mainstream preschool. COrmac will receive support services. But by giving him 6 months at Summit will just solidify the foundation he already has built. Since Ciaran and Colin can't start school until September its not like they will go without him.
My biggest concern was the next 6 months. I knew he had to continue services but didn't want him in the preschool disabled in town. It is not the appropriate place for him. This decision gives me the best of both worlds!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! That is my sigh of relief! I feel OK about this and am happy with it.
On a different topic, I was asked to write Cormac's story for a website called thedeafblog.co.uk The woman who contacted me had read this blog and wanted thought it would be a good story for other parents to hear and perhaps it will help a parent of a newly diagnosed deaf child. I was more than happy to write the story. I am by no means a writer. I just wrote how I feel and what our lives are like having triplets and one of them being deaf. So, check it out if you would like to read it. Just click here
So, does that mean I am a published author??? LOL!
(This is a long post. Make sure to scroll down for the videos)
A year ago today, Cormac heard my voice for the first time. A year ago today Cormac heard me say "I Love you" for the first time. A year ago today, Cormac heard Frank for the first time. A year ago today, Cormac heard his brothers giggle and laugh for the first time. A year ago today, Cormac heard his name for the first time. Basically, a year ago today our lives changed for the better... forever....
Cormac has heard and done so many things in this past year. I know they say the first year of life is where they have the most changes and the most "firsts". Babies roll over, the walk (well mine did), they eat food, they smile, the laugh. I could go on and on. But for Cormac, things were different in some ways. Well, he rolled over at 4 months (front to back and back to front!), he smiled from the day he was born. He has always been a great eater and continues to be. His laugh comes from so far in his belly. Just hearing it can make anyone smile.
He didn't, however, know how anything around him sounded. He never heard me whispering in his ear as I held him and told him everything would be alright. He never heard us say good night or I love you. He never heard a bird, a fire truck, an airplane. You get the idea. He heard nothing. He also didn't say anything. He could sign a ton by the time he was one but he didnt say any words.
In this past year we have spent countless hours practicing his listening skills. Twice a week for an hour Joan, his teacher of the deaf, comes to the house. Once a week I bring him to Summit Speech School for a group class for 2 hours. Every moment of every day is dedicated to enriching his life with listening opportunites. I mean, I talk and describe everything around me. I don't just make breakfast, I say "we are having eggs. Eggs are white. Mommy is going to crack the eggs. Crack Crack. Stir the eggs. Stir STir. Mommy will pour the eggs in to the pan. The eggs are cooking." I do this for EVERYTHING I do with the kids all day long. It never changes. When we are grocery shopping I hold up everything I put in the cart. "this is a red pepper" "peppers are smoooth" and then let them feel the peppers.
Yes, it can be exhausting and daunting at times. Yes, people probably think I am insane. Yes, there are times I just don't feel like doing it. But what is the payoff for all this? Cormac speaks. Cormac hears. Cormac listens (different from hearing!). On day to day basis I don't think there are many words I say he DOESN"T understand. If he doesn't understand you can tell in a heartbeat and I take that opportunity to explain it to him.
NOw of course, Ciaran and Colin get the same treatment so they all have wonderful vocabularies. Cormac talks all day long. I have lost track of the number of words he can say. It seems to me to be endless. He tells me "love you" before betime. He says "goodnight, mommy or daddy or Ciaran or Colin". He has the softest sweetest voice I have ever heard. He also has the ability to scream so loud it feels like your ears are bleeding. This is not when he is upset. It is funny to him. I have tried to make a deal that he only uses that scream when he is outside!
Cormac knows so much. His numbers, his letters and the sounds they make, his colors, animals and their noises. He signs the entire alphabet. He also knows many more signs but he is dropping them more and more because he doesn't need them. His speech is understood by others which is huge. Moms always understand their kids. The true test is if others understand them.
Fast forward one year from last year and things are so different. Just this morning it was thundering outside and he said " thunder angels bowling" and pointed out the window. Today he told me he wanted to watch "doggie DVD"(100 and 1 Dalmations).
I am so grateful for Advanced Bionics for the technology they developed. I can never thank them enough for allowing Cormac to be enrolled in their study. He was so fortunate to be able to have both ears done at the same time. Most children do not have this opportunity. I am so thankful to Dr. Anil Lalwani who performed his surgery. I can't say enough about NYU Cochlear Impalant Center and their staff especially Valerie and Rose.
Summit Speech School has been such a tremendous support to our family. Each week is priceless for both Cormac and myself. And Joan, Cormac's teacher of the deaf, well I can't say enough about her. Cormac loves her. I don't know what we are going to do when he turns three and we will no longer see her three days a week. She is a constant help and always full of wonderful ideas. She answers so many questions. She teaches Frank and I how we can best help Cormac. But most of all, she really cares about Cormac. She knows him so well and how to get the most from him.
We ended the day with a little celebration. We will do this each year to remember such an important day in our lives. And it's another excuse for cake! I made a cake. Not my best work but I was short on time. It's the thought that counts, right?
Here's a little slideshow. It is Frank and the boys eating cake. There are a few video clips also. You will hear Cormac talk. Of course, when in front of the camera he doesn't do his best work but I still think it's pretty darn impressive!
I have tried to no avail to upload the video of the first time he was activated. I cannot get it to upload. The video is long and I don't know where I can upload a video over 10 minutes to post in the blog. It was taken on a camcorder and downloaded to the computer but from there I am stuck!
I do have a clip from my camera I took. It's not as good as the entire video but you will get the idea.
Cormac continues to be an inspiration to me. He is only two and has done so much already. I count my blessings every day. I can't believe how lucky I am. I get to be the parent to a child who inspires me.
Did I ever think I would have a child with a disability? Nope. Was I prepared for it? Nope. Would I change it? Nope. You take on each challenge as it comes along. You educate yourself and try your hardest to be the best you can be.
I also never thought I would have triplets and wasn't prepared for that either! But I know I was made for this job. I have lived every day always knowing I wanted to be a Mom and boy, did I hit the jackpot!
