[the Bird]

Now most 43 year olds would not like to be proud of those 3 things!!! Cane - I am SO proud of, because it means I am no longer wheelchair or walker bound! Yes, ma'am give me that CANE!!!

Trifocals....I fought the bifocals so long that I went from single vision to tri! BUT they look like single vision! And I can SEE!!! YIPPEEE!!!

The hearing aide....a new addition as of today....years, I mean YEARS have gone by with my friends and nonfriends complaining about how loud I speak and how I ask to repeat over and over! Well, ladies and gentlemen, this bird can now hear all the chirps on her left side as well as her right!!!

Yes, a 43 year old should feel old and lame with all these fancy medical devices that are pretty much marketed to the "oldies", but I am so EXCITED to be able to have all these things so I can see, hear, and walk!!!

I am so happy today with my new hearing that you think I had bought a new car or something!!!!

(I just thought I'd share my excitement!)

[Koala77]

I understand your happiness Bird.

It reminds me of something I once heard. "I used to feel sorry for the man who had no shoes, until I saw a man who had no legs."

We're all grateful that we can still get around....elbeit with a cane (me too), or with spectacles or a hearing aid.

If it improves the quality of our lives, then I say "Go for it!"

[FinLady]

Cool beans, bird! That's great news.

[CayoKay]

bifocals, cane, and two AFOs here, checkin' in.

yer as young as ya feel! (I'm 50, feel 15 inside... where'd all this GRAY come from?)

can't go very far, or very fast, but I sure have fun doin' it!

[Kitty]

That's so wonderful, Robin!! Good for you!!

You're fortunate to be able to have these aides - and I love your attitude.

Some would be having a pity-party but you can see (and hear!!) the wonderful rewards of having these things in your life. I'm very happy for you!!

[tkrik]

Yeah! These aides are great! It's amazing what a difference these aides can make in our daily lives. It makes life so much easier for us.

HK is right, you have a great attitude about it.

I too have my cane and glasses and am thankful for them. So are DD's as they really didn't want people thinking their mom is a drunk. LOL.

Thanks for sharing your excitement! I am happy for you.

[PolarExpress]

Alright Robin! As excited as buying a new car? Well, why not..They cost almost as much! Nobody should feel bad about taking advantage of these things..I was 33 when I got my first pair of bifocals AND my first pair of hearing aids..I'm up to trifocals now, too, but think I'll go back to bi- next time & just get a pair of computer glasses for work..Glad they're working so well for you! Hearing the birds again was my favorite part..

[the Bird]

This hearing aid is really sleek and hard to see....no one would know I had it on unless I told them! My hair covers my ear!

But today I subbed in a school where I had met a little special kid with an aide, so I went to his room to say hi and told him I had something to share with him He was so cute! I leaned down and pulled my hair back and tilted my head so he could see. All the other kids came a running (special ed class) I panicked inside for a second....I could see one of them running off with my ear!

The little boy said "I have one too!!" I said "I know!" and then one of the girls asked "Why do you and C have them?" And I said "So we can hear better!"

so cute!

My father fought his whole last part of his life with hearing problems and absolutely REFUSED to get an aide....I realize they weren't as sleek as they are today, but I knew then I would wear one without a problem so I could hear!

Polar....you aren't joking about the cost....it is a SIN how much they cost....who is the most likely person to need one? a retired person on fixed income....it is so wrong....

[PolarExpress]

You're so right, little Bird..And Social Security doesn't cover them (most insurance will not cover them)..My dad was deaf since childhood, and wore one of those large pocket aids most of his life. He would've loved the new, small digital ones (though they're not really meant for severe hearing loss).. There are benefits to hearing aids..You can always turn them off if someone is getting on your nerves (my dad's favorite)..

[the Bird]

Originally Posted by PolarExpress

You're so right, little Bird..And Social Security doesn't cover them (most insurance will not cover them)..My dad was deaf since childhood, and wore one of those large pocket aids most of his life. He would've loved the new, small digital ones (though they're not really meant for severe hearing loss).. There are benefits to hearing aids..You can always turn them off if someone is getting on your nerves (my dad's favorite)..

I thought about that yesterday! You know I could turn people OFF!! But then I realized that wouldn't really work....my right ear knows how to listen!!!! LOL