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 her that I had failed the school hearing test and she recommended that I see an ENT. My mom made an appointment with the ENT and the audiologist, where they found out I was indeed very close to legally deaf.

I had surgeries to try to repair the bones but 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 the classroom with crayons and coloring books until I was in 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. I was very depressed. When my children were in high school, we visited a doctor at Georgetown University, he performed 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!” He sent me to John Hopkins University to have Dr. Naparko see if I would be a candidate for BAHA (bone anchored hearing aid) 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 were talking. I COULD HEAR THEM! When he came back in and asked me what had happened? I said I heard everything, sign me up. Three weeks later I was implanted and 4 months later I was snapped on.

I heard all kinds of 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 College. 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! I told them it’s a Community College and I have the money. So I enrolled into prep courses to get my levels to 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!

A word from the artist:

I’m so happy to share Lori’s story! I think it matches really well what I wanted to represent this month. Not only Mother’s Day is in May, but also it’s Better Hearing Month and we now celebrate Bone Anchored Hearing as well, which is the type of hearing device she wears.

Her story of perseverance is so inspiring! Now Lori 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.

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I’m truly grateful for everyone who has shared their stories with us in the MyLuckyEars platform. I believe we can learn something from each and every one of them. With your help, I want to be able to continue making these portraits and honor everyone’s stories. When you purchase one of my paintings or any of the products available, you are supporting what I do so I can continue to paint even more portraits such as this one and you get to have something to remind you of the beauty of each human being portrayed here and remain inspired by them.

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