A Determined Warrior – Cochlear Implant – Print

Having a child with any type of hearing loss is hard. Add other complications to it, and you’ll find yourself completely overwhelmed! At the same time, having to cope with a hearing world when you have a significant hearing loss is a lot of exhausting work. I love how honest Jenn was about her feelings and I’m so happy she found support in the hearing loss community. It’s a wonderful thing to have a group filled with people who know exactly what it’s like to go through what you’ve been dealing with and to be able to share your struggles and your victories with them. They get it.

As a parent, I’ve been there too. It’s where I found the greatest support and where I learned so much about the hearing loss world. To me, Lilah has been a warrior from birth. Painting her as a resemblance of “Rosie the Riveter” was a way of honoring her bravery and strength.

The Story of Lilah – by her mom, Jenn

During Jenn’s 20-week appointment with her second child, Lilah, an abnormality was discovered on the ultrasound. From that day forward, their world was turned upside down. Lilah was born with congenital CMV, which resulted in her hearing loss. About a month after her birth, they received the official diagnosis that she had bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

Although they were informed before Lilah was born that hearing loss was likely, it didn’t make the news any less devastating. Jenn says she will never forget the day Lilah had her ABR test and the audiologist delivered the news. After hearing, “Lilah’s hearing loss is so severe she can only hear a jet engine or the like, and hearing aids will not provide her access to sound and speech,” Jenn felt her mind go blank, the room went silent, and the rest of the day became a blur.

Lilah received bilateral cochlear implants around her first birthday, and they are thankful every day for the access to sound the implants provide her. Despite facing additional complications from CMV, including brain damage and developmental delays, Lilah’s cheerful and determined spirit belies the list of challenges she faces daily. She is a happy, independent warrior who makes her family proud every day.

Jenn acknowledges that having a child with hearing loss is difficult—there is no sugar-coating that. While family and friends have been incredibly supportive, they don’t fully understand the daily challenges that Lilah and their family face.

Jenn feels forever grateful for the “hearing loss mommas” who have guided and supported her along the way. She feels fortunate to be a lifetime member of the hearing loss community and to have met some of the kindest, most supportive women she never knew she needed in her life.

Museum-quality posters made on thick matte paper. Add a wonderful accent to your room and office with these posters that are sure to brighten any environment.

• Paper thickness: 10.3 mil
• Paper weight: 189 g/m²
• Opacity: 94%
• ISO brightness: 104%
• Paper is sourced from Japan