Arkansas Hands and Voices

I wanted to write this blog to educate some of my family and friends and even their friends about a great organization, Arkansas Hands and Voices. I have become familiar with this organization through my brother and sister in law, Todd and Jennie Van Es, and because of my neice, Laney Van Es who was born with profound hearing loss. I hope by reading this blog you learn a little something about the organization and maybe share it with someone or a family you know who has children with hearing loss. You could also attend the Northwest Arkansas Tasting at Twilight event in April, or maybe even help with gathering a donation for the silent auction held that night. Below I have gathered a little bit about the organization, the event, and a little story about my niece, Laney.

Arkansas Hands and Voices is a Nationwide non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families and their children who are deaf/hard of hearing. It is a United network of resourses existing to help deaf/hard of hearing children reach their highest potential.

Each year Arkansas Hands and Voices has an event called Tasting at Twilight. This year the event is Thursday April 19, 2012. It will be from 7:00 to 9:00pm at The Garden Room on Dickson Street. Guests will be tempted by an assortment of wines and enticing hors d'oeuvres while enjoying the beautiful setting of the The Garden Room nestled in downtown Fayetteville. Additionally there will be silent auction with a variety of wonderful items on which guests can bid. Reservations are $50 per person for this event. I hope you will contact either me or Jennie if you would like to attend, make a donation, or donate an item for the silent auction. Several of our family friends are already planning to attend, and some amazing businesses like Shelby Lynn's or JR's salon are donating to the silent action.

A little background on Laney

Laney, my niece, was born on Thursday February 12, 2009.

She was born the Thursday before I went into labor with max on that Saturday, so max and Laney ended up being only 4 days apart.

Shortly after Laney's birth we discovered Laney was born with profound hearing loss in both

ears. This was a complete shock that our little Laney could not hear our voices, that we thought she was hearing all of this time. Jennie and Todd shared with us about these implants that could be implanted into her brain at the age of 1 year and 18 months. We all prayed this would continue to be an option, and thankfully we learned Laney was excepted as a candidate for the implants.

Laney had her surgery at Arkansas Childrens hospital on Wednesday February 17, 2010 just after she turned 1 year old to get her 1st of 2 cochlear implants. The 2nd implant could not come until 6 months later when she would be 18 months old in August 2010. Todd and/or Jennie

made weekly trips to adjust her hearing down to Arkansas Children's Hospital. Below is the video Todd and Jennie took while in Little Rock of the first time they turned on her implant on. Approximately 14 months after her birth, we see her hear for the first time. (Note she cries because she is not sure what to think of the noise, but crying is a good sign this time).

Below is a video of the first time me and Mike actually saw her hear.

Her implants soon got the nickname her "ears". She has one on each side of her head. It's actually a "magnet" that can come off pretty easy, so when you are around her, putting her "ears" back on, or checking for both "ears", making sure they are both green (full battery), or making sure you don't lose one of the "ears"...... become normal things to do or say

She can't wear them around water or places with static like at Boingo bounce, etc but she can read lips great, and is just the sweetest little thing. Somehow Max and her have their own little language they understand and love playing together (with the occasional spat )

Laney is now 3 years old. She is turning into such a big girl. We just celebrated her Birthday in February.

Laney's favorite song is Happy Birthday. It has been for a while. Me and Mike even got her a Happy Birthday sing a ma gig for Christmas. Below is a video of us singing to Laney on her Birthday. I love the expression on her face. She even starts to sing a long, but she knows the song is for her.

I'm so extremely blessed to have Laney as my niece. She has taught me so much about life and how much some people take for granted. I love her personality and how her smile just lights up the room. Her laugh will make you laugh too. She is such a little blessing to everyone she meets.

I'm also so thankful for Arkansas Hands and Voices who provides support to families of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. To learn more information please visit www.arhandsandvoices.org