Ec just turned 3 years old last Saturday in time for her Speech therapy Clinic’s annual Christmas party.  I did not have time to prepare for festivities on EC’s own birthday because we decided to go to the Clinic’s party.  As always my main goal was for EC to socialize with other kids having Hearing Impairment as well.  Sure ball EC immensely enjoyed the party.  The wonderful therapists of the speech therapy clinic came up with a brilliant plan to have a fashion-show type of party.  The goals of the fashion show were for the kids to show to all their beauty and talents on the catwalk thereby enhancing their self-confidence and social skills. 

 

Days before the event we practiced EC on how to walk properly to better show off her costume, we made her watched fashion shows on TV to let her know what she was supposed to do.  EC being so carefree thought all along that we were only playing model wannabe on the catwalk.  She was cooperative, relaxed and confident when practicing at home.  But we really did not have any idea on how would she carry herself infront of unfamiliar people.  Although guiding her all the way was allowed I planned not to…I wanted her to be independent by walking all alone on the platform.

 

EC was so excited the day of the party.  We were running late and all she could think about was putting on her favorite tinkerbell costume..hayy what a pain my little girl sometimes is.  She could not wear the costume because we only had to commute and she would only get warm in it while we travel to the venue.

 

When the party started all the parents were beaming with pride while watching their children walking confidently on the red carpeted platform.  I for one was so happy that EC behaved as well.  She was shy at first but got the hang of it when she saw the other kids modeling their respective costumes.  She felt even happier when she was asked to go and stay infront of all the kids.  They sang a happy birthday song to her. EC was in high spirits the whole duration of the party especially when it was time for distribution of lootbags and exchanging of gifts.  She readily fell in line and patiently waited for her turn to receive her goodies.

 

Being with other kids with Hearing impairment and their parents made me realized more the special gift that GOD has specially given us.  They might not be perfect but still they are angels worthy of our love, care and support.  And like thier normal hearing peers they are also capable of success in our world – the hearing world if only people would give them a fair chance by looking beyond their impairment.