5 Things I want my Deaf Son to Know

The thought of putting my 1 year old through a 6-8 hour surgery is enough to make any parent panic. My husband and I have thought long and hard about his cochlear implant surgery, and although it terrifies us, we know that it is in his best interest.

I’ve personally received backlash for our decision to have our child undergo the needed surgery. I’ve been mom-shamed for wanting my deaf son to hear because “God made him that way.” I’ve been made to feel guilty about being a working mom and not staying home with him because he’s “different” and has “special needs”.

My son is perfect. He’s beautiful. He’s funny. He’s got an incredible personality. He’s so ridiculously smart, and his smile is contagious. He is so strong. He inspires myself and others daily.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well. -Psalm 139:14

Here are 5 Things I want my son to know about being deaf.

I love you.

Before I conceived you, I loved you. The fact that you were born deaf does nothing to minimize those feelings. You are such an incredible blessing, and I cannot imagine life without you. I do and will always love you.

I’m doing this for you.

I want you to have access to sound for so many reasons.  I want you to hear all of the beautiful sounds God created us to hear. Growing up, and to this day, I love hearing the sound of thunder and rain, and I pray you’ll also love those sounds. I want you to hear your dad and I say “I love you”. I want you to hear your big brother laugh. I want you to have access to every resource out there to help you hear including cochlear implants.

I’m here for you.

I know that it’ll be scary once your implants are turned on. Learning to understand what sounds are and engaging in conversation will be challenging, but I want to know that I will be there every step of the way. I’ll be there on your worst days as well as your best days and every day in between. The future has so many unknowns, but you better believe that I’ll be there for it all.

I’ll advocate for you.

I promise to advocate for you, and I’ll push for the best for you. I promise to support you and immerse myself  in the deaf community as much as possible in order to truly connect with you on a many levels. I’ll learn sign language with you in order to create additional means of communications.  I’ll fight for the best technology, the best treatment and the absolute best resources. I’ll never not advocate and fight for you and what you deserve.

You are perfect.

Don’t let anyone try to convince you that you’re different. Don’t let anyone every make you feel inferior because you are deaf. Being deaf doesn’t make you different. You’re unique and you’re so beautiful, my child. You are absolutely perfect, and I’ll devote my life reinforcing that fact.

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Being a mother of a deaf child has been eye-opening. It’s been ugly, yet beautiful. Horrible, yet amazing.  It’s been a journey that is so incredible, and it’s taught me so much about life. It’s taught me to appreciate the small things and to fight for what I believe in.

My son has made me stronger. My son has made me braver. My son inspires me. My son makes me want to be a better person. My deaf son is perfect.