Hearing better helps me see more clearly

Happy belated Thanksgiving! The trees have burst alive into a thousand different shades of green, red and yellow and these colours have never ceased to amaze and inspire me. I’m grateful I can see these colours. Thanks to my friends and colleagues at CNIB as well as our clients, I hope I never take my sight for granted. It’s a pleasure to try to describe our surroundings to my friends with vision loss, I love taking on the role of a walking, talking, coffee loving, audio description tool. I’ve had a busy few weeks and have been unable to put hands to keyboard regarding my experience with the Phonak Solana 312 Bi-CROS but am back and will try to retrace my steps.

I’m Single Sided Deaf (SSD) in my right ear and have moderate hearing loss in my left. I want to go back to the moment Jessie fitted me with the custom hearing aid and how it felt.  For the past seven years I’d been lip-reading, trying to sit in just the right spot in meetings to hear and my ability to communicate was hampered, but I could manage all right. I had no idea how much better things could be.

I sat in the chair, Jessie took me through the technicalities and  put 

the hearing aids in. To say that the world exploded into a burst of audio colour like the autumn leaves change in October might be a little dramatic, but the colour of sound immediately became more vivid and rich and beautiful.

She sat beside me on my deaf side and asked, “How does it feel”? I replied that I could hear her perfectly and asked if she could she whisper something as softly as she might ever whisper. She looked over at my coffee cup and gently whispered….. “Starbucks.” I was overwhelmed, it was crystal clear.

We went through some questions on sound I would have to answer on two subsequent fine tuning appointments and a few more technicalities. Jessie told me she had never seen anyone so enthusiastic and said that many people were hesitant to take the plunge toward wearing a hearing aid. Technology has come so far and you can barely see them now, I wish everyone who needed adaptive technology of any kind could get it. Anyway, I was blown away and the coffee helped. Real world testing is next! Please stay tuned.

Adaptive Technology and Accessibility - A Personal Tale

I was fortunate to come to work at CNIB in December of 2011. Having worked in digital marketing for some years prior to that, I thought I had a fair handle on web design, usability and most things related to the net. I’d like to say that I knew a lot about web accessibility, but that would be untrue. What I had then and what I continue to have is a deep desire to learn everything I can and do something with my working life that can serve to improve the lives of others. When I started at CNIB, I dove into the world of adaptive technology, accessible web design, content considerations, what users need from a universal perspective, what developers need to know, different evaluation tools for web accessibility, implications of rich media, and a bunch of other standards based and regulatory stuff.

I have come to know a whole community of impassioned, supportive, positive and wise members of the accessibility community. But the people that have made the biggest impact on me are the people with vision loss that I know, in particular a few of the blind people I work closely with. They’ve taught me so much about courage, facing challenges with dignity, grace, humour and a limitless desire to make things better. I’m grateful and blessed to be at CNIB and continually inspired by these and many other people.

“What’s this all about John?” Well it’s about adaptive technology, dear friends, and about how my life changed today, just liked it changed when I became Single Sided Deaf (SSD). To recap: I had surgery to remove a 5.5cm benign skull base tumour called an Acoustic Neuroma in 2005. The required surgical approach was through my inner ear, and I came out of the surgery deaf on that side. It was a better than expected outcome; the hearing had to be sacrificed in order to remove the tumour, there was no other choice. Dr. Chen and his team at Sunnybrook are amazing and they did an incredible job, I am forever in their debt.

I recovered quickly and am happy. But coupled with the moderate hearing loss I have as a result of decades of playing music, the SSD presented a challenge. Because of my willingness to get used to my new normal and what I saw as limitations of the technology at the time, I was determined to deal with it naturally and I actually did pretty well. Thus began my campaign of lip-reading, strategic seating in meetings and in restaurants, "pardon me, excuse me, what was that, huh, eh, say again, could you repeat that" and answering "how are you?" with a reply about the weather. My ability to communicate was stilted. Quick banter, witty repartee and tight conversations in small groups would quickly lose me and I love people and conversation and community. I didn't realize how much I was missing.

Today I went to Sunnybrook and Jessie fitted me for a custom Phonak Solana 312 Bi-CROS hearing aid and my life changed. I didn't realize how much better things could be. More to come. 

"I'm Outta Here Like Vladimir"

This blog has served its purpose and all things must change, just like most bands need to break up after a while. It’s time to put this chapter to bed. I’m not posting regularly and blogs need constant love and affection. I’ll probably start something new and write more about political things.

Three months ago I had brain surgery to remove a 5-½ centimeter tumour. When I was diagnosed in December, I steeped myself like a teabag in the world of Acoustic Neuroma. I looked for every scrap of information, read patient accounts, and looked for inspiration in a world filled with sad stories. Time to look forward to the next fork in the road. God forbid I should hear the word 'cancer' but if I do, I’ll be better equipped to deal with the turmoil. Good thing I’m engaged in the lifelong process of trying to choose healthy ways to cope.

How does the kid feel? I’m deaf in the right side, but music sounds just as good as ever. My balance isn’t perfect, but I’m riding the snot out of my hybrid mountain bike. Meetings are a little tougher, as is dealing with ambient sound; it’s just more tiring. Maybe I’ll shell out some pesos for a CROS hearing aid, but I'd like to expand my drum collection. Apparently, playing any musical instrument is useful in firing up those pesky synapses and recovering any (perceived) former glory! I even bought myself a new practice pad, a new copy of Stick Control, and dusted off the old metronome.

So that’s it.

Thanks to all who checked in, and please feel free to stay in touch.

19grapes@rogers.com

Scrotch P. Nibley

Had an inspirational luncheon today with old-pal-of-mine and former band mate D. Bigelow from our Nation’s Capital. (Which by the way, is the home of Jack Layton’s “Happy Ending”. It’s also home to Tom Green, Leo Safari, and a staggering number of other above average humourists.) DB has this kinetic, crazy, creative vibe that makes you feel energized just being in the same room. He’s been instrumental in putting a number of things on the Comedy Network in the last few years, and is a happening guy. We kibitzed it up for a few hours, which of course gave me the opportunity to get caught up on the whereabouts of one Scrotch P. Nibley, who as you might guess is "relaxing". I ‘m well overdue to go East to the ‘613’ to reacquaint with the Ottawa contingent, and it’ll be grand to make the trip.

The mighty SNFU come to spread the word tomorrow night at the Reverb. Me and my baby you know – we got to go.

My first Mousekiss show since the little death that is brain surgery is at Elvis Monday on May 16th.

(Click on "Music" when the page loads, and I'll see you there.)

Happy Anniversary!

"Can't come to work today....I've got this terrible 24 hour thing..."

Australian Rules Dogwalking

Tess and I took Luna for a walk along Whitby’s waterfront trail this morning with Nicole (of Sean and Nicole ‘sitting in a tree’ fame.) It was pretty cool, although trail users there tend to announce their approach from behind like it’s a contact sport.

“Careful walkers! 4 bikes and two rollerbladers behind you!”

It’s like an Australian Rules Football game out there I tell ya.

Nicole is going to see Sean next week in Alberta where he is taking a hazardous materials firefighting course. ‘Haz Mat’ – if you’re with it. They’re going to spend some time in beautiful Banff, Alberta. She was belting out Stand By Your Man in anticipation, and I’m glad they'll get to see each other soon.

Nice weather today, perfect for some backyard reading, napping, and some late afternoon drumming, oh happy days.

Captain KC plays a soft seater. 

Been playing some drumset, BTW.
(Guilty Pleasure - Playing with 'headphone' to JLo's "I'm Real".

Great news: Blockbuster Video has abolished late fees. No more late fees, but a souless automated attendant leaves a 45 minute message on the voice mail suggesting it might be a good idea to bring those movies back. Painful - and something I could do without, but admit I'm taking advantage.

I’m taking on a new role in my office as of Monday. It’s a lateral move into a ‘self-assessment / compliance-to-policy’ position, and I have to say that the timing is pretty good. The dynamic of my daily work will change and it’ll be a good way to expand my knowledge base and contacts, not to mention that it’s a considerable learning opportunity.

Thanks to all Private Label Rangers past and present for a memorable two years – it’s been a gas.

I’m glad I’m still working part time, and can get home early enough to take the beast to the Creek to bathe in the Spring sunshine, get my feet all muddy, and play a little chase the Kong before coming home smelling of April.

Back to work.

Scottish slang.

For the PL Rangers.

Bring back the Don

Now Playing: "Childhood Dreams"
Nelly Furtado

Faces of Stress

This part-time-work business was a good idea. After a few hours, details start to seem a little hazy and I find myself craving a bit of “empty head” time. I need to come up to speed on a number of procedural and operational changes and this alone will take some weeks and besides, it gives me the opportunity to dig the Springshine with “La Luna”. Remember the semi-bogus movie Faces of Death? The office looked a bit like Faces of Stress this week, which I hope is just growing pains with the realignment project in place.

I haven’t had much of a chance to write lately, but one piece of news of course is the TTC strike as of Monday. Good thing I can ride my bike to work! I have to chuckle at the non-smiling “serious cyclists” decked out in their 21^st century fabric and neon colour. Everyone wants to be Lance Armstrong.

There is a lot of new tree planting and restoration of wetland along the Don River. The water quality is so much better; it’s really come back these last few years, and it is definitely headed in the right direction. To live so close to a great green space in a city this size is truly amazing.

Success in the Post Op Workplace (Note to Self)

Try to:

· Exercise
· Eat properly
· Rest
· Have a laugh, especially at my expense
· Take a joke
· Be approachable
· Recognize and work within the bureaucracy
· Take the initiative
· Take breaks and use the time to relax
· Visualize good outcomes
· Learn to say no
· Adapt to change
· Test my assumptions
· Regularly review and revise this list
· Ask for help if I need it

Try not to:

· Be too hard on myself
· Take my accomplishment for granted
· Complain
· Let frustration win over acceptance
· Lose my temper
· Lose my patience with myself or with others
· Be a ‘people pleaser’
· Bear grudges
· Take anything personally
· Be scared of making mistakes
· Procrastinate

If you haven't heard, the Pope died.

Zen and the Art of the Personal Call

Some of the fine people at work think I’m crazier than usual – coming back when spring has leapt it’s way forward like Castro’s Revolution, but I insist I’m quite sane.

“Milk it John, I would.”

It’s only part time so there isn’t much time for stress or bother - before I know it I’m bailing for home and the fine array of East York lovelies sequestered here.

I rode my bike to work today. I’m guessing it’s about 13KM each way, fortunately very little of it “upstairs” with the steel chariots. I go down into Taylor Creek through the woods to Don Mills, where I wind my way south on the Don Valley Trail to the stairs, and up to Queen Street. At my peak, (pre-tumour), the one-way trip took about 35 minutes. This is the same amount of time the TTC would take by the way, and today took only 10 minutes longer headed downtown. Coming back took a wee bit longer as it’s uphill.

As my seasoned neighbour Ziggy might say in his well-established Polish accent, “Johnny, ta-kken eeazy….”

The PL Rangers held a groovy “Welcome Back” Potluck today – needless to say, most of us ate too much before waddling back to our seats to while away the calories on “personal calls”. Yum!

Note to Self: I have to make sure I don’t get too frustrated with my level of progress, make sure I remember how lucky I am, and exercise the appropriate patience.

Zen and the art of the personal call, isn’t that right my Moroccan friend?

Three items I need to get reaquainted with:

1) George Lawrence Stone - Stick Control
2) Ted Reed - Syncopation for the Modern Drummer
3) My metronome

My neighbours love me at nine in the morning.

Mr. Soul recently had surgery for a brain aneurysm. I'm glad they got it in time; it looks as though he didn't have to wait too long for MRI.