The last three weeks have been a little hectic and crazy. Elijah started the 8th grade back on Aug. 25th and so far things are going well. He has settled in nicely with only a few emails needed to keep me informed of behavior. I started back in the classroom on Aug. 25 with grades 3-5! I have five students who keep me very busy and I am happy to say that my sign skills are as good as they were five years ago! I am really loving being in the classroom!
I also started graduate school on Aug. 25th. Thankfully, the first week of assignments consisted of "introduce yourself" activities and no real work was required. I am happy to say that all of my assignments that are due by this weekend (Sept. 14th) are done and I am working on next weeks assignments! I am liking the material and as always learning a lot.
Jacob started college this year at a state technical school that is two hours away. Elijah and I helped him move on Aug. 30th. Lets just say, IT WAS AN EXPERIENCE! The major issue that day was getting him a key for HIS room in the apartment he shares with three other guys. Once that got sorted out, we got him moved in quickly. It was an all day event though with getting his wireless services set up and waiting in a LOT of lines! I was exhausted when we left, but had two days to recover before heading back to work.
Jacob seems to have settled in nicely. He texts at least once a day, per my request, so that I can make sure he is still alive. He likes his classes, from what he tells me and doesn't seem homesick. I have talked to him a few times on the phone, but I am trying to let him spread his wings! I think he will come home the weekend of the 20th.
I do miss him, but I am happy for him. Elijah has done well with the transition and as always my honey is very supportive! The cats seemed to have adjusted as well. I am curious to see what happens when Jacob comes home for a visit. If it weren't for the cats, I don't think we would see him until Christmas!
I am keeping my fingers crossed that all goes well this year for all of us. It is a big year of change. This time next year, Elijah will be a FRESHMAN in HIGH SCHOOL and I will be in my last semester of grad school! YIKES!
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
Friday, August 29, 2014
Elijah and his iPhone!
Elijah has taken his iPhone to school each day this week with no problems, that is until today. I got a call from one of his teachers about his behavior. He had to be asked twice to put away his phone and he disrupted the class quite a bit. He ended up in the principal's office. I told my honey this story and so she went on the hunt for an app that I could use to control his phone....and she found one. It is called ParentKit and I installed it tonight. I am going to take advantage of their one month free trial. Here is a link http://www.parentkit.co/
I installed the app on my phone and then added Elijah as one of my kids. The app then gave me a website to go to on his iPhone. I went to the website and entered a code that I got from MY iphone when I was registering him as a user. Once I did that, I then had control of his iPhone. I went to the app on my iPhone and set up his account. I turned off Safari and the ability to install apps or make in app purchases. I then went into the scheduling part of the account and set up very specific times he could have access to the apps on his iPhone. He now can't get to his games during the day at school. I set up his lunch time as a time for when he can access his apps. I then turned them off again and set it for him to have access after school. I am going to let him know that I can take away the lunch time access if he doesn't start behaving, especially since his behavior today occurred after lunch.
I showed him his iPhone with the game app not there. I then turned them back on and let's just say he wasn't too happy. I am sure he won't like me too much after all of this, but parenting is not an easy job and I don't have to be popular.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Update on the Lost Freedom Processor
I have blogged about sending Elijah's Freedom Processors to Cochlear to be cleaned, when he got his N6 processors activated. We received one Freedom back after about four weeks and then we didn't get the second one. I called and as I blogged, received poor customer service. It took another three weeks to get the second Freedom processor back. We now have two sets of Freedom processors as back ups for Elijah. I had purchased a new two year warranty on his newest set of Freedoms in June 2013. I sent the paperwork in to cancel that warranty and get a partial refund, which will then go towards the portion of his N6s that we had to pay for. I am hoping that this warranty refund will be between $500-$1200, but you never know. We now have a new three year warranty on the new N6s that he received in June. It will take about four weeks for the refund to show on the credit card I used to charge it on last year. Hopefully, there won't be any issues with this!
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Misconceptions
Earlier today, my doorbell rang and so I went to answer the door. When I opened the door, there were two women standing there both looking at me. I stood there and waited, and they didn't say anything. I then asked who they were looking for. The taller woman then gestured to the shorter one who began signing. The taller woman started interpreting for her. I then told them both that I know sign language. They were Jehova's Witnesses, who wanted to tell me about some videos online for children with sign language. We spoke, and then I asked them how they knew I had a deaf son. Now, realize, they had never asked me if I had a son who was deaf, and I doubt they just went door to door informing people of these videos. They then said that a neighbor had mentioned to another Jehova's Witness that there was a deaf boy who lived on the street. I am sure it came up when someone saw the DEAF CHILD AREA sign on our street.
Many people have the misconception that all deaf children sign. Granted, Elijah does understand some signs, but it is not his main mode of communication. The same is true for children with cochlear implants, not all of these children can communicate orally. Many children with cochlear implants still use sign language. There is no right or wrong way, there is just the way that is right for that particular child or family.
Many people have the misconception that all deaf children sign. Granted, Elijah does understand some signs, but it is not his main mode of communication. The same is true for children with cochlear implants, not all of these children can communicate orally. Many children with cochlear implants still use sign language. There is no right or wrong way, there is just the way that is right for that particular child or family.
Friday, July 25, 2014
Using Sign Language to Communicate
Elijah hears very well with his cochlear implants, but there are times when I use sign language to communicate with him. Of course, when he is not wearing his processors I use signs to communicate. This is usually when he is dressing or bathing! There are other times though, that I do rely on sign to communicate with him.
Yesterday, we went to the recreation center for archery tag. This was in a huge gym, that was split down the middle and there was a lot of NOISE. All of the kids got to practice shooting with the bow and arrows and then the game started. He had to wait with the older kids while the younger kids played first. I was about 20 feet from him walking to try to get my steps in (I wear a Fitbit and am trying to lose weight) and he would whine and say he wanted to play. I was able to sign to him "wait, stop" and threaten to take away his iPad later....all in sign language. Later when he was up playing with his team, I was able to sign to him "good job, stop" and a few other things. Even with his processors, in a LOUD environment it can be hard for him to hear.
Even today I used signs with him again. We were at a loud restaurant for my brother and soon to be wife's after rehearsal party. He was at the kid's table with his cousins and I was able to sign ask him if he wanted his iPad later, and he voiced yes, and I signed for him to stop whining. My brother looked at me and said, "I wish my kids knew sign so I could speak to them quietly like that." Elijah really does understand sign language, even though he voices back and doesn't sign to me. I am glad that I have this way to communicate with him either due to background noise or distance!
Yesterday, we went to the recreation center for archery tag. This was in a huge gym, that was split down the middle and there was a lot of NOISE. All of the kids got to practice shooting with the bow and arrows and then the game started. He had to wait with the older kids while the younger kids played first. I was about 20 feet from him walking to try to get my steps in (I wear a Fitbit and am trying to lose weight) and he would whine and say he wanted to play. I was able to sign to him "wait, stop" and threaten to take away his iPad later....all in sign language. Later when he was up playing with his team, I was able to sign to him "good job, stop" and a few other things. Even with his processors, in a LOUD environment it can be hard for him to hear.
Even today I used signs with him again. We were at a loud restaurant for my brother and soon to be wife's after rehearsal party. He was at the kid's table with his cousins and I was able to sign ask him if he wanted his iPad later, and he voiced yes, and I signed for him to stop whining. My brother looked at me and said, "I wish my kids knew sign so I could speak to them quietly like that." Elijah really does understand sign language, even though he voices back and doesn't sign to me. I am glad that I have this way to communicate with him either due to background noise or distance!
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Customer Service
Elijah was first implanted back in September of 2001, which means I have been dealing with Cochlear Corporation for almost 13 years. He was first implanted with the body worn Sprint processer, then he upgraded to his Freedoms, and now has the Nucleus 6 processor. During these 13 years, I have had to call Cochlear on average of about 7-10 times a year. I have always gotten great customer service, until today.
When Elijah upgraded to the Nucleus 6, Cochlear Corporation offered a program where you could request to send your Freedom processor(s) back to them to be cleaned and to make sure they are in good working condition. I opted to do this, and when the N6 processors arrived there were two return boxes, one for each of his Freedoms processors. After his N6's were programmed, I boxed up his Freedoms, per the instructions and kept the tracking numbers. I then delivered them to a FedEx facility to be picked up.
I checked the FedEx website the next day and saw that both processors had been delivered. Last week, I received one of the processors back from Cochlear via FedEx. I decided to call today to make sure that they still had the other processor and try to get an estimate on when it will be returned to us. I want to cancel the extended warranty I purchased for these two Freedoms to get a partial refund to help pay for his N6 processors.
I called and a gentleman with customer service answered. I explained why I was calling and then he asked for my son's name. He then said, "You are trading in your freedom processors" and I said "no" and explained the return program and that this was offered by Cochlear. I asked him if he was aware of this program and he said he was. He then asked for my tracking number, so I gave him one. He then said, "what is this tracking number for?" I then explained the program (rather irately) again and WHY I had the tracking numbers and what they were for. I asked him again if he was aware of the program and he said he was, and then put me on hold. I waited for five minutes and then I called in again using my home phone, while still on hold with my cell phone.
A young lady answered the phone who was more familiar with this program. She asked me all of my questions, got the tracking number and one serial number for the processor I had received back. She then said that she showed they had received the other one, and would inquire on the other one but would need some time. She asked if she could call me back. I said she could then asked to speak to a supervisor, explaining that I was still on HOLD with this other gentleman who was clueless. While I was waiting for the supervisor, the gentleman, let's call him Dan, came back and I got his name and he really had no answer for me except that they had received both. He couldn't tell me if they still had the one there. I told him what I had done with my other phone and that I was waiting for a supervisor. He then said, "Well I was just going by what you told me." OH this irritated me even more. I then spoke to the supervisor and explained what had happened. I compared the two customer service reps and told her about the Dan's last comment. She stated she would pull the phone call and listen to it and apologized several times.
I told her this was the first time in 13 years that I had received such poor service. I am just so glad this didn't happen early on when Elijah was first implanted.
When Elijah upgraded to the Nucleus 6, Cochlear Corporation offered a program where you could request to send your Freedom processor(s) back to them to be cleaned and to make sure they are in good working condition. I opted to do this, and when the N6 processors arrived there were two return boxes, one for each of his Freedoms processors. After his N6's were programmed, I boxed up his Freedoms, per the instructions and kept the tracking numbers. I then delivered them to a FedEx facility to be picked up.
I checked the FedEx website the next day and saw that both processors had been delivered. Last week, I received one of the processors back from Cochlear via FedEx. I decided to call today to make sure that they still had the other processor and try to get an estimate on when it will be returned to us. I want to cancel the extended warranty I purchased for these two Freedoms to get a partial refund to help pay for his N6 processors.
I called and a gentleman with customer service answered. I explained why I was calling and then he asked for my son's name. He then said, "You are trading in your freedom processors" and I said "no" and explained the return program and that this was offered by Cochlear. I asked him if he was aware of this program and he said he was. He then asked for my tracking number, so I gave him one. He then said, "what is this tracking number for?" I then explained the program (rather irately) again and WHY I had the tracking numbers and what they were for. I asked him again if he was aware of the program and he said he was, and then put me on hold. I waited for five minutes and then I called in again using my home phone, while still on hold with my cell phone.
A young lady answered the phone who was more familiar with this program. She asked me all of my questions, got the tracking number and one serial number for the processor I had received back. She then said that she showed they had received the other one, and would inquire on the other one but would need some time. She asked if she could call me back. I said she could then asked to speak to a supervisor, explaining that I was still on HOLD with this other gentleman who was clueless. While I was waiting for the supervisor, the gentleman, let's call him Dan, came back and I got his name and he really had no answer for me except that they had received both. He couldn't tell me if they still had the one there. I told him what I had done with my other phone and that I was waiting for a supervisor. He then said, "Well I was just going by what you told me." OH this irritated me even more. I then spoke to the supervisor and explained what had happened. I compared the two customer service reps and told her about the Dan's last comment. She stated she would pull the phone call and listen to it and apologized several times.
I told her this was the first time in 13 years that I had received such poor service. I am just so glad this didn't happen early on when Elijah was first implanted.
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Nothing New
There isn't too much new to write about these days. I got an A in my grad school class, and I am all registered for the Fall semester. Elijah is still liking his new Nucleus 6 processors. We went to visit my sister this past weekend and he got to use his Aqua+ Pack several times. I had to add the Namuu hat to keep the processor on while he was swimming. The mic lock tubing just wasn't keeping the processor on his head. We had a great time with my sister and my nephew Trent. I am home for a few weeks, then I will go to a three day conference. The boys will stay with my partner.
I am taking Jacob to his college orientation next week. We have slowly been purchasing what he will need for his apartment. We found a desk at an office supply place and I'll pick it up this weekend. I can't believe that he will be 2 hours away from me in just two months. I think I can survive it!
I hope everyone else is having a great summer.
I am taking Jacob to his college orientation next week. We have slowly been purchasing what he will need for his apartment. We found a desk at an office supply place and I'll pick it up this weekend. I can't believe that he will be 2 hours away from me in just two months. I think I can survive it!
I hope everyone else is having a great summer.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)