Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Download my HLAA Magazine Article.

As I mentioned here, I have written an article for the May/June issue of the Hearing Loss Magazine which is now available to download! You can click on the picture to go to Cindy Dyer's blog to download the PDF file. This is my first published article and I am so excited to share this with you all! I can't wait to hear your thoughts!


36 comments:

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo!!! I've been waiting to the day for this!! You look so GREAT!!! I'm so proud to say that you are my good friend! ;-)

Now, where can I get a magazine? It's hard to read on PDF for me especially long articles. I want to read so bad!

Hella, I just want a copy of it and put it in a frame on the wall!! *grins*

Hugs
-SG

Abbie said...

Geo,

You are just too cute :) I'm so glad I could share this with you! You are such a great friend of mine! Now the thought of me hanging up on your wall tickles me pink! I will make sure you will get a copy! :)

Hugs!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Everyone!!

I am Abbie's mum. I get to see this lovely face every day!!

Being proud of Abbie is an understatement in the least.
I have been with Abbie all through her ups, downs and sideways of what life has handed her. Each time I was amazed how she grabbed some poor bull's horns and took him with her and came up to ask what's next?

You all know Abbie, what you read is the real Abbie. No frills, no put ons. What you read and see IS Abbie.

Thank you all for all the support you have offered her in her dark times. You all should be just as proud of yourselves that you can have such a positive inpact on someones life.

Sincerly,
Fran

Anonymous said...

Nice article...I get the whole picture now. Wow! Also, I like writing style. And your cover goes well on your site with all the blues. Good timing!

Valerie said...

That article is fantastic. I am so excited for you and the article does your justice.

You are a fantastic person and an amazing friend. My only wish is that I was going to Reno with all of you. So as you enjoy meeting everyone take pics of everyone for me.

side note - got a webcam today...

Valerie

Anonymous said...

Great article Abbie. Am I able to get a copy of this magazine to show my friends over here in NZ?

Cheers
Robyn

Alex said...

Abbie-

From the time we first started talking and you had brought up cap-tel. Immediately I found someone online who would know what I was talking about and going through also. I pulled you to the side of seekgeo's chat room to discuss the cap tel issues we both had seemed to be having.

The conversation went further, and I was amazed at how alike you and I both were with the hearing loss, the speech therapy, literally everything I you had gone through I was going through at a later age.

Advice, wisdom, and laughter you have sent my way has been so much appreciated. Immediately I have changed a lot of my life style regarding my hearing loss with the thoughts and supports of you and others including Geo and others.

You deserve a well done article about your history and many deserve to read and get a peek into your life as a Bionic Woman.

The laughter we have shared online has been nothing short of amazing and I know we can always count on the amazing new jersey sense of humor thats comes through your blogs!

Looking forward to reading more, the chats, the laughter, and the MANY goof ups we have. Twas fun!

Yours always,
CJB--Alex :)

David said...

Abbie this is so amazingt. We are so proud of you, I am printing it out so I can have a good read in my favorite chair. Great picture of you indeed as well. You have been amazing to me in the past 6 months. It's funny,it's as if I have known you all my life. You have helped me more than you could ever imagine. And what a treat to read a post from your mom. Hi Fran! You have raised a jewel, a real treasure. We are happy to have a little bit of her in our lives.
Warmly,

David

Abbie said...

Mommy!

I'm so glad you figured out how to leave a comment after HOW long?! :)

*cough*

There is a reason why I always took the bull by the horns mom, because you gave me the confidence to do so. You were never the military mom even though there were times I thought you were :) but you always taught me to be my own woman and make my own decisions. I'm so glad that you are proud of me, that is all I ever really wanted. I love you mom!

Now whats for dinner? LOL! :)

Abbie said...

Suey,

I'm so glad you read the article and you can get a sense of the bigger picture of what I went through.

Right after I read your comment, I noticed that the cover and my website did match. The graphic artist did an amazing job with the article, I'm sure you know what an invaluable tool Photoshop is :)

Abbie said...

Val,

You have become one of my dearest friends. Our surgeries was only a couple of weeks apart and we just clicked from that point on. I'm so glad that we got to know each other and go through these quirky CI moments. You just get me baby :) I'm so glad you enjoyed the article too! I was hoping I did it justice. Love you my dear!

Anonymous said...

Congrats abbie now .. i get to read the pdf format well done OMG the 80s look *shudders* dont remind me i had bad hair days too even had spikes but glad no photo was taken :P

Keep up the good work until i get by CI in 4 years time *waiting patiencely*

Ciao
(_!_)

Peta

Abbie said...

Robyn,

I have to see if I can get some extra copies of the magazine, if I can one is yours! I am so glad that you liked the article! I am looking forward to meeting you in July!

Unknown said...

Great picture and great article from what I can read so far!!! I will read it tomorrow when I can have a clear printout of the article.

Thanks for sharing. By the way, the color looks great.

Jim

Abbie said...

Alex,

When we first started talking, I could see a lot of me in you; wide-eyed, enough ambition to fuel a jet and the determination to make your personal mark in the skies. The more you and I spoke, the more I sat there and realized how special of a person you are. Just the fact that you are sitting here today and wrote that comment and I knowing how your life started with so much turmoil is amazing on its own accord but you pulled through and all you suffered was a hearing loss and upteen surgeries but here you are, typing away.

It makes it very special when I can sit back and look at someone that is traveling a path that I have taken and I am not talking about getting a CI, I am just talking about living with a hearing loss. Everything we had to do to get to this point took a lot of gumption. When I can impart wisdom and advice to you all the while encouraging you to never give up your dream, I can't tell you how much it means to watch you grow, grow in ways that I had to learn the hard way. I wish I had the type of guidance and perspective that me and Geo can give, we've been there. If this kind of advice was offered to me at your age, I wouldn't have been in such a state of loss when I lost my hearing. It would have been much easier to deal with. Especially since we laugh so much together like we've known each other for years.

You have become the little brother I never had! I wish you nothing but the success in life traveling the blue skies. I am looking forward to the day we can all get together and talk about PBJ with CJB...snicker

:)

Abbie said...

David,
You made me smile about a mile wide reading your comment. I look back over the past couple of months and I have learned a lot from you. I wish I had half of your uplifting spirit and resilience and determination, I don't even know if I could ever hold a candle to you. I find you incredibly inspiring in ways that most have never touched me. Your son has the best dad in the world. I really hope you enjoy the article, I value your opinion.

You have two more day to go until your activation, I don't know who is more excited here about it! How are you feeling? :)

Deb Ann and Hannah said...

You look really great! And in the magazine! Way to go, Abbie :)

Now I'm going to download your HLAA magazine article. Thanks for showing the front magazine. :)

Anonymous said...

Wow! the mag put that sexy hourglass turtleneck w/ jeans figure photo on the first page of your article, whoo-hoo!

I know what it's like to be HOH most of my life, but you describe a sudden loss with no sound but tinnitus after your deviated septum surgery. What a truly scary and traumatic event in your life. I do say, anesthesia can do funny stuff, I had an adverse effect after a cataract surgery, an effect still evident some 12 years after the fact.

Nevertheless, you knew something may solve the hearing loss and went thru all the qualification and testing to go thru with it, what else did you have to lose?

Sometimes hitting the bottom of the barrel makes you realize there's no other way to go but back up. And pray. Luckily, the implant worked well for you and has given you your life back and then some.

Powerhouse lady, kapow!

Ann_C

Candy said...

Great article! enjoyed reading it!

Laurie said...

Wow! Wonderful picture and wonderful article! Can't wait to meet you in person! I'm proud of you!

I loved reading your mom's comment. . .mothers & daughters have a special relationship! I know I wouldn't be where I am today if it wasn't for the great support system I had/have, especially my mom's faith and belief in me.

You go, girl!
~Laurie

super Hubby said...

Awesome article! you did a fine job. Just don't become so famous that you stop posting.

Adam

Anonymous said...

Wow! That is wonderful! Thank you for sharing with us. I am able to read your article. It is interesting. Please do keep v/blog. Congrats for being on cover of HLAA Magazine article!

Katie-Louise's blog said...

Abbie, You have made my day.

This is a brilliant article. It made me feel so much better and not to nervous for my switch on day :-D

Thank you so much. You have been a great role model. I'm now looking forward to hear a sounds. I'm hoping to hear my shih Tzu too who is now 5 months old :-D.

thanks again

katie

Abbie said...

Ann C:

You hit it right on the money with hitting the bottom of the barrel. I was approached when I was 19 about getting a cochlear implant, I immediately dismissed it because I was happy with what I had. I had to lose my hearing completely and get a CI to finally hear my true identity calling out to me. I don't wish anyone to go through years of denial like me but it as ironic as it is, it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.

From one powerhouse to another: KAPOW! :)

Anonymous said...

Finally I found you, girl!

Congratulations for being a cover girl aka the most beautiful people in the People magazine! ;-)

Thanks for letting us know!

White Ghost

Abbie said...

Katie,

I'm so glad that you found comfort in reading the article! There is nothing to be nervous about, it more the anticipation of getting turned on :chuckle: Not too many situation can I say that without turning red :) The 19th is just around the corner :) You should put a countdown to activation on your blog! :)

You have a shih tzu too! I love shih tzu, they are like little kids :) Mine sneezes at me when she wants something.

"want a cookie?" : sneezes.
"want to go for a ride?" : sneezes
"want to go to bed?" : sneezes
"want a bath?" : hauls ass :)

Shih tzu are so much fun as a puppies, does yours growl every time someone comes near your bedroom?

Abbie said...

White Ghost!

I'm over the moon that you found me! I always find your posts over at Paotie's to be hysterical! You just made me laugh out loud at my monitor. I'm seeing a pink slip marked with "Fired for laughing hysterical at monitor. Psych evaluation requested."

sara said...

Hi Abbie,
I think I commented for the first time yesterday, but I should introduce myself! I'm your age, HoH since age 14, and have a profound loss right now. I've been thinking about a CI more lately than ever since my speech discrimination in my worse ear is SO very low. Congrats on your article!!!

Sara

Abbie said...

Hi Sara,

I'm glad you gave me a more formal introduction, I would be more then happy to talk to you give you the lowdown about CI's. You can shoot me an email if you want. It is a big decision and there is a lot to it and I hold nothing back :) It is one of these things where the more you are informed, the better you are. What is your current speech comprehension score with both ears?

Thank you for thanks on the article and I am totally looking forward to getting to know you!

Katie-Louise's blog said...

Hi Abbie,

Yeah, shih tzu are great dogs - They learn quite quick, plus they do have so much energy. And very noise as that what my mum says (I'm looking forward to hear him) He doesn't growl when we go to our bedroom but he growls when you get his toys.

Oscar has just learnt how to, sit, lie down, roll over and give a paw but still he has a habit of biting etc which we keep saying "no" and still he does it more. (guess he trying to get rid of his baby teeth)

we have another dog called lady too she a caviler king charles she 9 now. we did have a dalamation but she died last year - old age so that why we decieded to get a small dog and went for a shih tzu

will pop up some pictures once i've have transfer them

Where do you get the count down box from?

weird how urs sneeze eh! doesn't it bark at you?

katie

Loudest Mom said...

Abbie- LOVE the article :) You also look fantastic......Gotta love the old pictures- I think I had similar glasses!

I can't imagine that moment when you realized ALL of your hearing was gone. So far only one of our children have been through that, and she was only 2 1/2, so I doubt she even remembers. I VIVIDLY remember. Thanks for sharing,
Melissa

Geo said...

OMG!!!!!!!!!!! AWESOME!!!!

Diane J Standiford said...

You are a good writer--MORE! A book! And the cover? Are you kidding me? AWESOME!! Mama--you got quite a kid there!

Abbie said...

Katie,

Oh Bella barks at me but I use the "shut up" sign to let her know to use her indoor voice :) She starts off with sneezing and if I keep ignoring her and barks.

Try using this as a countdown, click here.

Abbie said...

Loudest Mom,

Thank you so much! I feel so sorry for us that we had to be put through that ridicule with those glasses LOL! When I was in kindergarten, my mom got me these barbie pink thick glasses. I don't think I have been able to live that one down. Oi!

How did your daughter lose her hearing?

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Senthil