My first diary got so many recommends and positive feedback that I felt I should post a followup.
Today was activation day for my cochlear implant. I had to wait a month for the swelling to go down and to be sure everything was successful. I wasn't worried because I had such an excellent surgeon and team, but initially I admit that looking at a month-long wait to try this bad boy out seemed like forever. I mean it's after midnight, Santa must have come by now, can't I unwrap my present? However, it really wasn't that bad and it's been a busy month with classes and other stuff going on, so I made it through and today finally actually did arrive.
The appointment was at 1:00 and like everything else I've encountered at this hospital it was on time and very professional. There was a small problem with the external piece not staying attached well to the internal piece even with stronger magnets but my audiologist went and got a different part and we used that. The minute we got past the basics of volume control and got down to speech comprehension, I was able to understand at a much higher level than with my still hard of hearing left ear (which still uses a hearing aid). That is amazing all by itself. Many people go through months or even years of training to hear human speech. For me to be able to do it immediately even with visual cues is stunning stuff and one more tribute to the fine work they did on me. Everyone sounds like Mickey Mouse or one of the Chipmunks, but with visual cues my ability to comprehend human speech is dramatically improved.
Even better news, I have an interview tomorrow. It's for a HOH/LDA (late deafened adult) support position with a government funded agency (DCARA). I was recommended for the position by the woman who has been doing it but is being promoted. The ironic thing is that the interview will be conducted in sign language (ASL). I've been studying it for a while and this past week have been boning up on important words that I may use/need in the position and using hearing or sign to communicate, any job interview is great news. I have no idea if I will get it, but I'm gonna give it my all and hope for the best.
In either case, this past month has been filled with potential and today that potential is being realized. The world is my oyster... well, not quite, but at least doors are opening and again, I could not have done it without the support of our amazing government. Their investment in me will pay off eventually if not with this job with another one down the road and hopefully sometime soon I will be able to get off of disability and get back to working and paying taxes and do my part to help make sure the next guy has the same opportunities. In fact the lady who's job I am interviewing for is the reason I followed the path I did. Her advice, recommendation and support led to me studying ASL, being involved with cochlear implant support groups, taking over the local ALDA chapter and even applying for disability. All of that is the reason I have my brand new shiny computerized ear and am interviewing for this position. Maybe I get it and get to pay it forward and make that kind of impact on someone's life.