Alexander M. -Cochlear Advocate

Hi...

I have done this a lot and that is take a step back to actually see how much effort and work that i have done and that others have done to get me where i am today. What i really never thought was how others looked at me on how much effort and work i have done.

I work at a day camp and have for the past 5 summers (going on to my 6) and i had a camper 3 summers ago who had AMC (arthrogryposis) Definition below. Anyways, he was this great amazing kid who was good at sports, swimming and just being a kid... Sooner or later we basically became "best friends' although he is only 8 years old, its more like we are brothers. The kid knew that i had a hearing problem and i knew that he had AMC and i guess that i really never looked as if why he respected and liked me. I almost thought it was because i was always hanging around him and being nice to him, like i am with all the other kids in my group. Just recently, not that long ago i almost "put the pieces of the puzzle' together and figured out that i guess it was because we both have a disability ( i have hearing and he has AMC) and that we both knew that we struggle every day. I struggle to do my best to hear everyone and he struggles to do what he can. Knowing the kid for now 3 years, i have definitely become closer to him and seen him progress. When i first met him, he couldn't put his own shirt on, now he can (with the help of a wall, door or something he can use his arms against).

I thought that i would write this blog because of how much he respect who i am and how much i respect who he is. I am an Early Childhood Education major and i have to love all my kids and will have to tell them what "that thing on my ear is..." Everyone is different and we all need to just respect that and learn as much about them as we can. I wish i could put a photo of me and him up here.

"Is a term describing the presence of multiple joint contractures at birth. A contracture is a limitation in the range of motion of a joint." Avenues.com

Comments

Val B.-CAN Volunteer

April 14, 2008

awww, are you trying to make me cry? (grin)

Camille J. - Cochlear Volunteer

What a sweet story, Alex. Sharing a disability, even if they are different ones, can be a strong bonding experience. I have a very good friend who is blind. When we first met, we would tell each other that we wouldn't want to have each other's disability for anything - he was comfortable being blind and I had adjusted well to being deaf. He would say he couldn't imagine life not being able to hear music and communicate with people, especially with those who were important to him. I couldn't imagine not being able to see the beauty of the world around me, includng faces of people I loved. We didn't feel sorry for each other, but respected how we'd come to terms with our unique physical limitations and ability to handle them. I see this in your story about you and this amazing little guy. You were MEANT to be friends! ; ) Camille

Alexander M. -Cochlear Advocate

I love the kid so much. I know that we are meant to be friends, and i don't know what it would have been if i had not meet him. He is definitely my favorite guy :) Iv also gotten to know his parents more since i first meet him 3 summers ago. Love the kid :) Alex,

Cathy K - Cochlear Volunteer

June 28, 2008

I think it is easier for people with a disability to reach out to someone else that has a disability-even when its different from ours. All disabilties have their challenges but also have similiarities. We all have to face our challenges but understand better what someone is going through. Alex- I am in the Cleveland, Ohio area. I have started a new CI support group. We would love to have you attend our meetings if you have the time and transportation. We are about 40 minutes from Kent. You can read more about the group on my blog. There is also a CI support group that is sponsored by the Cleveland Clinic and University Hospital. My nephew graduated from Northwestern 4 years ago. He lives and works in Chicago. He loves it.

Alexander M. -Cochlear Advocate

taking a step back....

Comments