When you see your child or grandchild every day, you don’t notice them growing slowly millimetre by millimetre. In the same way, it’s all too easy to miss the small, incremental changes in hearing development when you are close to the experience.
Our rehab specialist, Clare Sheridan, suggests an idea that has worked for many families and individuals, allowing them to review their progress and see how all the small steps adds up.
Being more positive and optimistic overall means that you are less likely to feel disheartened or overwhelmed when things don’t go so well.
Just take a moment or two each day to notice something good that happened. Write down what happened and why it was good. Also, what you did to help make it happen. There are lots of ways to do this:
- In your diary
- On your phone or tablet
- On a wall chart
- In a special book
One family takes time over dinner for everyone to share the best part of their day and make notes in their Happy Book. Another parent keeps a white board in the kitchen and aims to write three good things each day. She takes a quick photo before the board is wiped clean for the next week, so those positives are always there as reminders.
Here are a couple of examples from other recipients and their families. Why not share yours via our social media channels?
“I sorted out my Baha on my own when the battery went at school. I liked the fact that I didn’t need the teachers. I know the warning beep and can just sort it out.”
“I went to a friend’s party. I enjoyed seeing people that I don’t normally get to see in a big group.”
“Michael phoned on FaceTime this afternoon and I got to see Sasha at her 1st birthday party. I could hear her laughing when she opened my present.”
It’s a little like therapy. It makes you think about the amazing things you or your relative can do. It also reminds you how hard it might be for them.
For more help and ideas to support your rehab, visit our website.
