Garden State Walk 4 Hearing

Greetings from Mercer County State Park! Alex and I are at the Garden State Walk for Hearing walking in this invigorating frigid fall weather for 5k.



Donning the quintessential scarf, our blood circulation is flowing, the hamstrings are burning and deafness is in the air. Over a hundred and twenty people showed up all ages and different sizes have trekked their way through the beautiful autumnal scenery. There was even some lil tykes running around sporting some of the tiniest hearing aids I have ever seen in my life. I wish I had those size but I can't complain, I got the Cadillac of hearing technology embedded in my head. :)

I had the chance to put a face with quite a few people that I have been talking to online. One particular person was Debbie who is a beautiful soul, inside and out. She is a late deafened adults who has only had a hearing loss for seven years. She received a cochlear implant about a year ago but she was having a tough time adjusting to hearing with a cochlear implant after having perfect hearing all her life. I shared with her my experience and frustration. I told her it would get better with time and it has improved significantly. She wrote me this lovely email that just made my day! She made mine by coming out and walking with me :)

I am so very happy that you will be able to attend ALDA. I am glad you asked for help, if we don’t ask we don’t get. We all have faith in you because of who you are. Abbie, I can’t begin to tell you what you have done for me, support wise. I was so discouraged and depressed, if not for you I would be a basket case this very minute. I was so out of the loop as far as understanding what was happening, did not have the faintest clue what questions to ask. Your knowledge and inspiration is part of what has kept me going. I will always be grateful for your assistance. You attending ALDA can only help increase your knowledge and inevitably help the rest of us on our Hearing Journey. My ears are crossed and can’t wait to see you on Saturday.

True to form, I know how to make a lasting impression on someone. I met Jill and her stepfather who has a cochlear implant who lives right down the street from me. I didn't get to talk to him because some pesky yellow jacket managed to sneak into my jacket and sting me! I immediately started stripping my clothes off in front of this family which was probably a little more then they bargained for. :) Alex was laughing his southern butt off and I was freaking out because I couldn't find the yellow jacket anywhere. I have never been stung before in my life and everyone first question was, "Are you allergic?" Well, I had no idea :) The hypochondriac in me decided to get on the blackberry and google allergic reactions and treatments for yellow jackets. Good thing is that I am not allergic. Bad news is that the damn thing smarts. Here is a picture of my battle wounds from the Walk 4 Hearing. :)



All in all, it was a great day supporting hearing loss!