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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Hi Angelina, Gives me an opportunity to say hi to all these fine folks on list whose posts I have been enjoying for quite a while, saying hi to you, smile. Hmmm, is that even a sentence? I think I just gave myself a failing grade, giggle. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>It has been quite an adventure learning I have hearing loss. I frankly thought it started from a horrendous cold which lead to swollen glands. The colds kept coming back year after year very similar to the first. I later found out that wasn’t the truth as I have a secondary disability which did cause my hearing loss.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>When it hit me the hearing was bad in my right ear, I was watching TV in bed. I turned and someone must have turned my TV way down. I turned back to see what was going on and the TV as was before. I cleaned out my ears the next day and it didn’t help. Well denial of the reality of hearing loss kept coming up more and more. Like you I was nearly hit by a car and then I had to do something. I called my VR counselor and said we have a problem. He sent me for an E.N.T. evaluation and a hearing aid was recommended. I thought it was a fairly minor drop but the chart said differently. That was fifteen years ago. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My question is do you ever get totally used to hearing loss? I don’t think so. You do learn to cope and be proud of who you are. But never to enjoy a symphony fully. Never to really hear fully the birds singing across the lake. Well there’s tweeting over there, so come on over here birds so I can better appreciate your songs. I heard an eagle in my backyard. Trust me folks the coolest sound ever. When my husband is tired, his voice slurs. So I have begun to imitate him. He doesn’t like it so a subtle strain on our marriage. When we are out I ask him to translate, if someone is not listening when I ask them to slow there speech or whatever fits at the time. Bugs me when I hear the person and my husband starts translating. So circle and frankly I just retreat until I am ready to face the world again with my normal smile and zest for life. Hearing is exhausting. Making people understand you don’t need them to scream, but listen to what I am saying. I was in the freaking hospital for a test. The gal taking my insurance info refused to speak up, refused to speak to me but kept looking down at the paper she was trying to explain, thus muffling her voice. I had it and ask for a Supervisor. I told the Supervisor she didn’t train her personnel very well and gave her the conversation the dim wit and I had. The volunteer that came up behind me said later, what happened the young gals were shocked looking. Nice of her to tell me, as she finally hopefully realized she was guilty as charged. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>But many great persons are out there and will accommodate kindly. But you have to speak up and be proud of who you are a deaf-blind person a first class citizen.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>So I have moved to digital hearing aide. I do need to go for another evaluation as my hearing aid is really soft. I have the insurance approval in hand, so no excuses, guilty grin. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>You know what, my friends still love me. My family still loves me. I the wonderful person called Becky is still the same gal. I just can’t hear as well. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I didn’t go for the Stapes surgery as I was scared. So possibly in part I could have received my hearing. But oh well life is still good and I am still functioning well. My business is still doing really good and I am busy loving every moment of life. I even taught a few classes over at the NFB Krafters Korner,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="http://www.krafterskorner.org">www.krafterskorner.org</a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I don’t plan to this year, but who knows, smile. I am full of surprises, giggle. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Warmly,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Becky Frankeberger, and guide dog Jake<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Butterfly Knitting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]> Ponchos<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]> Afghans<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]> Shawls<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span><![endif]> Custom Knitting<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>360-426-8389<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>becky@butterflyknitting.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>