Jackson’s Story
When Jackson was diagnosed with a bilateral sensorineural mild-moderate hearing loss at four months old, I was devastated. My first thoughts after the diagnosis were of my childhood experiences of trying to comfort and protect my younger sister from her struggles that stemmed from wearing hearing aids and having a hearing loss. I thought of how she struggled to fit in with her peers and to overcome her speech problems. Jackson’s father, Jameson, also wears hearing aids and having experienced the financial expense and maintenance involved with hearing aids, he was also concerned with these things.
Soon after Jackson received his diagnosis, he got his hearing aids and began to Parent Infant Program sessions at Presbyterian Ear Institute. We met with Amy Beveridge weekly, and she was very warm and supportive toward Jackson and everyone in our family from the very beginning. Aside from the support we received from Amy during the speech therapy sessions, Amy offered many tips and insights into how Jameson and I could support Jackson at home. When Jackson was 18 months old, he joined PEI’s toddler program. Within a week or two, he adjusted well and seemed to be blossoming! His teachers and all of the staff at PEI have been amazing and Jackson looks forward to seeing them every school day. Moreover, Jackson’s speech and vocabulary have developed significantly since he began attending PEI, especially in the toddler program. He has become more confident and is eager to express himself verbally. We really appreciate all of the support we have received from everyone at PEI and we could not be happier to have such a wonderful team of people supporting him! – Marcella, Jackson’s Mom
“He has become more confident and is eager to express himself verbally.”
