From the moment he was born, Bodhi’s life has been full of determination and discovery. Shortly after his birth, he didn’t pass his newborn hearing screening. At just one month old, Bodhi was diagnosed as profoundly deaf in both ears. What came next was a journey of learning, adjusting, and celebrating milestones big and small. In the words of his mom, Tabitha, discover Bodhi’s story:
Bodhi is a twin, and prior to receiving treatment at Nemours Children’s Ear, Hearing and Communication Center for cochlear implants and speech therapy, he felt out of the loop – different, and somewhat isolated in his own silent world. Since being referred to Nemours Children’s by our primary care physician, Bodhi can now hear and articulate his needs and desires. His life has completely opened up! He loves music and loves to dance to his favorite songs. He gets to talk to his brother, his family, and his friends and express his silliness and childlike wonder through the gift of speech and sound.
We’ve had really pleasant and fun times with all the Nemours staff. From the moment you step into the Orlando location, you’re greeted by friendly check-in attendants who make you feel seen and welcome. That’s a big deal for us because we have to travel an hour and a half to get to the office, and brave I-4 at that, so we always show up a bit disheveled. They help relieve that right at arrival.
When we were going through the process of surgery, we felt really prepared because the staff took their time to lay out expectations and helped us get ready. From the anesthesiologists, to the bedside nurse, to the surgeon himself, everyone was so kind and present, and that’s not a feeling you get in most hospital settings. One of the nurses even gave Bodhi a stuffed animal that has cochlear implants, and to this day that is a coveted toy in our household!
I also would be totally remiss to not give a giant shout out to Megan Nelson, CCC-SLP, who is Bodhi’s speech therapist. She is honestly perfect at her job and makes our sessions so fun and engaging. This isn’t easy when you’re in a virtual setting, which we have to opt for due to being so far from the location. Megan is very kind and incredibly helpful. Without her, I’m not sure that Bodhi would be having the success he is today both at home and in school. When we first started seeing Megan for speech therapy, Bodhi had gone nearly a year and a half without making any sounds or being able to verbally communicate. In less than a year after gaining his hearing, he had already closed the developmental gap and was passing his assessments, hearing, and responding at an age-appropriate level. We are from the bottom of our hearts grateful to God for being placed with her as our SLP provider! The same goes for Dr. Chelsea Clancy. She is such a gentle and patient audiologist, and we always leave her appointments feeling like we are proud of our progress.
Overall, we feel encouraged and hopeful for Bodhi’s future as a deaf young man in a hearing world, and that’s largely due to Nemours. We plan to continue therapies with Nemours as we’ve had such a positive and caring experience. Once Bodhi’s reaches the articulation goals we have with him, we will begin ASL lessons and expand his opportunities for communication so that he can tell anyone willing to listen what gifts and challenges he has had. We pray he will be a positive influence for all people who have different hearing abilities.
Learning that your newborn is deaf can feel like a storm rolling in, stirring grief, confusion, and uncertainty. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. But take heart because your child is not broken. Deafness is not a flaw to be fixed but a unique way of experiencing the world.
Cochlear implants are a tool that may help, but they are not a cure. You don’t have to rush into a decision. Take the time to gather information, ask hard questions, and pray for wisdom. Trust that God will guide you and that He created your child with purpose and beauty just as they are. If you choose to pursue cochlear implants, know that the road ahead requires patience and consistency. There will be surgeries, adjustments, therapy sessions, and countless moments of progress and pause.
Along the way, consider learning sign language and connecting with the Deaf community. Even with implants, sign language can open doors to confidence, identity, and belonging. Many families find that embracing both spoken and signed language allows their child to thrive in every setting. God can use both paths to grow your child into someone strong, joyful, and deeply connected. You are not walking this journey alone. There are others who have walked it before you and others who are walking it now. Reach out to support groups, Deaf adults, and other parents who can offer comfort, perspective, and encouragement.
Above all, keep your eyes on your child. Not just their progress, but their spirit. Celebrate who they are becoming, not just what they can hear. God’s hand is on your family, and He will equip you each step of the way. You are raising a child full of promise, with a future that is bright and uniquely their own.
