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Featured Contributor Susan Farr-Fahncke
Noah's Silent World
by Susan Farr-Fahncke
Deaf. Deaf. Deaf. I held my tiny son in my arms and the word deaf ricocheted around my head. The infant audiologist delivered the news without looking at me, his voice cold and emotionless. He thanked me for coming in and abruptly gathered up his paperwork and tools. He never once looked me in the eye. Never offered any help or resources, not a word of comfort; just his findings about my three week old baby.
Numb, I carried Noah out of the hospital and into my car, strapped him in his car seat, slid into the driver's seat, and let the huge, soul-wrenching sobs come. I called my husband and could barely get the words out. I felt like my world had crumbled. Everything I pictured for our tiny son had completely changed. The things he would never hear came slamming at my brain like a car crash. Music, laughter, the ocean, the rain. Deaf, deaf, deaf. I had no idea where to turn, what to do.
The weeks that followed allowed the news to sink in. I often found myself just staring at this beautiful, rosy-cheeked little bundle with the bluest of blue eyes. I was in charge of his future. Me. Being a mother is scary enough, but being the mother of a special needs kid can bring fears and burdens so vast that you feel as though the weight of it will kick your legs out from beneath you. But I stayed determined to learn all that I could and over time I began to connect with the deaf world. One by one, the doors began opening for us. I met deaf adults who quickly became friends, opening up their lives and their hearts to help me navigate this new world for Noah. I found programs, friends, support and help in places I never expected.
I found a whole new, incredibly beautiful world that I would never have known existed if Noah hadn't been born deaf. Sometimes life's greatest blessings come that way - packaged in what looks like a horrible break in the road. You're going along, you've got this plan, this vision of the future, and then, WHAM! The road splits and suddenly you can't even see the road you were on. You don't know where you're going. Having a deaf child taught me that sometimes what looks like the end of the road is merely a bend in the road. And the new direction and view can be amazing.
Noah is now nine and our journey has been one of constant learning and ongoing challenges, but also never-ending blessings. Noah is so full of joy in life and I learn from him every day. I'll be sharing more of our journey with Noah in my future columns. I would love to get to know other parents, so please feel free to email me! If you have questions about deafness, I will be happy to address them in future columns.
by Susan Farr-Fahncke
Deaf. Deaf. Deaf. I held my tiny son in my arms and the word deaf ricocheted around my head. The infant audiologist delivered the news without looking at me, his voice cold and emotionless. He thanked me for coming in and abruptly gathered up his paperwork and tools. He never once looked me in the eye. Never offered any help or resources, not a word of comfort; just his findings about my three week old baby.
Numb, I carried Noah out of the hospital and into my car, strapped him in his car seat, slid into the driver's seat, and let the huge, soul-wrenching sobs come. I called my husband and could barely get the words out. I felt like my world had crumbled. Everything I pictured for our tiny son had completely changed. The things he would never hear came slamming at my brain like a car crash. Music, laughter, the ocean, the rain. Deaf, deaf, deaf. I had no idea where to turn, what to do.
The weeks that followed allowed the news to sink in. I often found myself just staring at this beautiful, rosy-cheeked little bundle with the bluest of blue eyes. I was in charge of his future. Me. Being a mother is scary enough, but being the mother of a special needs kid can bring fears and burdens so vast that you feel as though the weight of it will kick your legs out from beneath you. But I stayed determined to learn all that I could and over time I began to connect with the deaf world. One by one, the doors began opening for us. I met deaf adults who quickly became friends, opening up their lives and their hearts to help me navigate this new world for Noah. I found programs, friends, support and help in places I never expected.
I found a whole new, incredibly beautiful world that I would never have known existed if Noah hadn't been born deaf. Sometimes life's greatest blessings come that way - packaged in what looks like a horrible break in the road. You're going along, you've got this plan, this vision of the future, and then, WHAM! The road splits and suddenly you can't even see the road you were on. You don't know where you're going. Having a deaf child taught me that sometimes what looks like the end of the road is merely a bend in the road. And the new direction and view can be amazing.
Noah is now nine and our journey has been one of constant learning and ongoing challenges, but also never-ending blessings. Noah is so full of joy in life and I learn from him every day. I'll be sharing more of our journey with Noah in my future columns. I would love to get to know other parents, so please feel free to email me! If you have questions about deafness, I will be happy to address them in future columns.
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Susan and her family live in Kansas, where they moved last year so Noah could attend the best deaf school in America! She is mom to Nick, Maya, Noah, Ian, and step-mom (udder mudder) to Brandie. Her children's ages range from two to twenty! She is the founder of the volunteer group, Angels2TheHeart.com, who send "happy mail" to critically ill people.
Her writing has been published in hundreds of books, magazines and inspirational web sites. Her favorite writing topic is on being a mom - especially Noah's mom. Her web site at 2TheHeart.com features many "Noah stories" and you can see more of her work or submit an inspirational story of your own there. If you would like to learn sign language or more about deafness, Susan will be happy to direct you to web sites and groups. Please feel free to contact her at susanf@soulsupporter.com |
