PERSONAL STORIES

Our second child, Milo, was born a beautiful, contented baby and a welcome addition to our family. As the months rolled by we became unsure that he was able to hear properly but felt reassured that he passed both his 8 and 15 month hearing tests. I recall the health visitor saying that she was certain that Milo could hear but that he wouldn't play the 'listening game' either way she felt sure that a hearing problem he may have would not affect his speech. How shocked we were to find out that he was profoundly deaf, after the shock came the sense of grief as we wondered what would become of him. Shortly after I enrolled on a British Sign Language course and BSL became Milo's only method of communication until he was four and a half years old.

We decided that Milo should have a cochlear implant and he was implanted on October 8th 2001 he also received follow up care and speech and language therapy from the implant centre.

This rehabilitation period only lasted just over a year and we were then left with a fight to get speech and language therapy for Milo. Children's Sensory Support told us that Deaf children were unable to receive this therapy as there was no-one trained to work with deaf children. Whilst trying to get help from the local authority, we decided that we needed to find a speech and language therapist immediately. We took Milo to Wordswell for assessment with Janet and started paying for private therapy. Not only did Milo receive the help he desperately needed but I became more knowledgeable and confident to take on the LEA to challenge the wording of the statement. We prepared a water tight case, Janet wrote a comprehensive report & this was accompanied by reports by the implant team and another speech and language therapist.

We got to 4 days before the SEN tribunal and the LEA gave in and agreed to fund Milo's therapy to be delivered by Janet. Janet had given us facts, figures & warned us of the loopholes. The knowledge she armed us with was definitely a vital key to our success.

To date Milo still receives support from Wordswell and next year's Statement has been approved without change to the provision. Milo's speech is now intelligible and he has gained confidence to use his voice even with strangers. His chosen method of communication is now oral, however he does still rely on sign language for receptive clarification. We are so pleased that we chose to engage the services of Wordswell. Their input has helped change Milo's life and the future is now bright. Milo is a sporty young man, he loves to play football and swims for the District Swimming Club and also competes with the British Deaf Swimming Squad. He is the holder of the British Deaf Swimming Record in all four strokes at 50 metres. He also loves cycling and often cycles about 20 miles on a Sunday morning with his dad. He hopes to complete his first triathlon very soon.