Our Daughter Has Been Deaf Since Birth. Here Are 5 Things We Wish We Knew

When we first got our baby's diagnosis, we focused on the worries and the challenges of raising a deaf daughter. We didn't know enough about how it would feel, and what life would look like.

Almost one year in, here's 5 things we wish we could go back and tell ourselves.

#1
We Joined a Wonderful Community

The deaf community is strong, and welcomes newcomers with wide open arms.

Old friends, acquaintances, and friends of friends in the deaf community answered our calls immediately. Parents of deaf children welcomed us into special Facebook groups. Making friends with other parents has been easier, because we share a common bond and common goals.

#2
We Will Gain a New Awareness

Our daughter's deafness has enriched our lives by making us more attuned to sound, language, and differences.

We notice the birds chirping, leaves rustling, distant dogs barking, even the sound of the dishwasher. We're more intentional about the words we use. We sing much more than we had planned. And, we understand more deeply how joyful differences can be, and what's gained by accommodating them.

#3
We Will Spend More Quality Time Together

With the early intervention classes, doctors' appointments, and Ling sound checks, we've been forced to slow down, and spend more time together than we probably otherwise would have.

#4
Our EI Instructors Will Be a Blessing

Our instructors have been invaluable, well beyond teaching us listening and speaking techniques. The weekly check-ins provide another set of eyes on our babies, and someone who is genuinely excited about our baby's every development.

We've turned to our instructors for advice on bottle feeding, solid foods, motor skills, and more. Even if they're not feeding specialists, or physical therapists, there is overlap with speech muscles and they can let us know if they see any major flags.

Having a team of experienced professionals guiding our first year has allowed us to focus less on Googling, and more on spending time with our baby.

#5
Our Friends and Family Will Be Cheerleaders

We're fortunate to have friends and family who we knew would "accept" our baby's challenges. But, we didn't know how much they would celebrate her for it!

Her efforts have garnered so much love and respect. And, she's built a darling network of older children who have rallied around her, cheering her on. We love that she will have these "big brothers and sisters" as she grows up.