Never Give Up – Bone Anchored Hearing Aid – Print

Lori’s story of perseverance is so inspiring! Now she is constantly educating people on bone anchored hearing, a solution for some types of hearing loss that is not as known as a regular hearing aid.

I wanted her painting to represent her pride in herself, how she never gave up doing what’s best for her. This time we actually scheduled a virtual photo session so I could ask her to pose for me to inspire my portrait.

The Story of Lori – Mother’s Day Campaign

I was diagnosed with hearing loss in second grade.

My mother received a phone a phone call from the school nurse, informing my mother that I had failed the school hearing test and she recommended that I see an ENT. My mom made an appointment with ENT and audiologist. Where they found out I was indeed very close to legally deaf.

I had surgeries to try to repair the bones. Nothing worked all the surgeries failed.

My struggle through school years continued. None of my teachers knew how to teach a deaf student so I was placed in the back of classroom with crayons and coloring books until high school. In high school I went to special education classes, however it was much the same. I basically graduated from high school with a grade just to get me through the system.

After I got married, in my early 20’s, my husband was determined to help me hear if at all possible. We started a long journey of surgeries and failures. I had two beautiful children whom growing up I struggled to hear them. Very depressed. When my children were in high school we visit a doctor at Georgetown University, he preformed a surgery to replace my bones. It worked for a few months then failed. He told me that I would have to deal with deafness. My reaction was “NO! Refer me to a doctor who can fix it.” Then he sent me to John Hopkins University to have Dr. Naparko see if I would be a candidate for BAHA surgery.

At my first visit Dr. Narparko placed the processor on a band and left the room with my husband. They both stood outside the door and was talking. I COULD HEAR THEM! When he came back in and asked me what happened? I said I heard everything, sign me up. Three weeks later I was implanted and 4 months later snapped on. I heard all new sounds. The one that hit me hard and made me cry was my daughter saying “I love you Mom”

First time in 17 years I heard her voice. I decided to get the other side done . Bi-lateral hearing.

My daughter was about to graduate from high school and enter collage. I decided that I would also go to community college and get the education I never received. I walked into the college admissions office and told the admissions office that “I could hear for the first time and I want to go to college”

They sent me down for the entrance test. I failed miserably. Second/third grade levels. Basically was told they can’t help me. I refused to accept that! Told them it’s a community College and I hav e the money. So I enrolled into prep courses to get my levels were I could attend . 2 semesters later I was fully enrolled. 4 years later I graduated with my associates degree in administrative management. I graduated the same day my daughter graduated from college with a 4.0 GPA and cum late and on the president’s list. It was a joy to attend college (different schools ) with my child and show them that if you want something bad enough All obstacles can be overcome.

I love my decision to have my BAHA surgeries as my world has opened up to anything is possible!

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