In May of 2002, our son Matthew wasn’t quite a month old when we started to sense he wasn’t hearing like he should. He didn’t react to sounds or voices as he once did. He was often expressionless in photographs. Loud noises did not startle him. He dealt with environmental, milk, and penicillin allergies, and experienced early ear infections. We visited with our pediatrician who in turn referred us to Arkansas Children’s Hospital for assessment.

They found he did in fact have a hearing deficiency, but weren’t quite sure of the cause. We were filled with emotions and unsure of what the future might hold for our baby boy and our family. Over the next several months, we continued processing information and trying to grasp what everything meant. While visiting family for the holidays, Matthew started acting like he heard what we were saying, reacting to the sounds around him. We were in disbelief. For some reason, he was able to hear again. The doctors said this happens sometimes. This life-changing experience taught us great lessons in perspective and empathy.

Arkansas Hands & Voices co-president Mandy McClellan says, “Hearing loss can be genetic, a reaction to medications, a virus—lots of causes. Everyone’s story is unique. No one size fits all.”

Mandy knows this first-hand. She has three daughters, two of whom have hearing loss. Her now 13-year-old daughter, was diagnosed at three by an ENT and audiologist at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. She is now thriving, wearing Cochlear implants.

Mandy’s middle daughter was diagnosed at one, because “they knew what they were looking for.” They were able to get her to a specialist as soon as there were any red flags. She is now in first grade and wears Cochlear implants.

As with so many families facing unpredictable situations, Mandy says, “there are feelings of not knowing where to turn. Now is my time to give back and help those families through my work at Arkansas Hands & Voices.”

Hands & Voices is an international organization with a mission to “provide us hope.” She attended a conference in 2007 to gain information for her own children and ended up helping start the Arkansas Chapter of Hands & Voices. “It is a group to support families and to know they are not alone. And, it’s an effort to show every child should have the capacity to live life to the fullest.”

The organization provides educational opportunities, support, technology training, resources, and social opportunities. “We want children to see other children like them that understand what others don’t understand. Kids to kids. Parents to parents. We bring professional examples and all expertise to the table to help,” Mandy says.

Mandy shares her advice for families on this journey to help their children and loved ones cope and thrive:

1. Remember it’s going to be okay and you’re not alone.

2. It’s going to take hard work in the beginning, but it’s going to pay off.

3. Be careful that your grief process doesn’t paralyze you from moving forward.

4. Denial and sugar coating doesn’t help your child.

5. Look at what goals you have for your child and know they don’t have to change.

6. Consult with professionals.

7. Keep your appointments and remember the benefit to your child.

8. When the unexpected in life happens, be grateful. It could always be worse.

Hands & Voices Upcoming Events

Candy Cane Christmas
December 7
9:30-11:00 a.m.

Three locations:
LR: UALR Speech and Hearing Clinic
Conway: UCA Speech and Hearing Clinic
NW Arkansas: UA Speech and Hearing Clinic

Annual AR Hands &
Voices Family Meeting
February 1, 2014
9:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
Location: Arkansas Children’s Hospital East Campus, Little Rock

For more information on resources and services, visit ARHandsAndVoices.org; look for Arkansas Hands & Voices on Facebook and on Twitter @ARHandsVoices; or email info@ARHandsAndVoices.org.