31. Dialling 999 when you're deaf ~ 30th June

You're with a relative and they suddenly collapse, so you dial 999. You witness a traffic accident, so you dial 999. You see someone's house in flames, so you dial 999. What do you do when you are deaf as you won't be able to hear the emergency services operator?

I picked up a leaflet whilst on my course but I have only just looked at it properly. The leaflet talks about how to register with a text message service run by the emergency services. I am now registered to text 999 in an emergency and provide specific information ie location etc. It took very little time to register and could save not only someone else's life but yours too. If you too are deaf, I urge you to register.

For more information, please click on this link: www.emergencysms.org.uk   

I'm afraid that I don't know whether this service is available in other countries. If any of you know, please let me know.

28. The old man ~ 25th June

An old man who had suffered for years with severe hearing loss decided he had had enough and needed to get help with his hearing. He went to the audiology clinic and the audiologist provided him with hearing aids that gave him perfect hearing. A few weeks later he went back to see the audiologist. Having examined the old mans ears, the audiologist congratulated the man for his progress and said "your family must be overjoyed and amazed  since you are no longer deaf". The old man replied "I've got no intention of telling them yet. I pretend I'm deaf still, but I secretly listen to their conversations. I've already changed my will four times!"

18. An amazing upbeat day ~ 2nd June

It was my sisters final recital for her music degree today. I was really, really touched as on the back of the programme it said "dedicated to my amazing sister". Alright, the word 'amazing' wasn't printed but I'm sure that's what she meant to say! Why did those four words mean so much to me? I would have been honoured anyway as she could have dedicated it to another family member, a friend or not dedicated it to anyone for that matter. It was the fact that my hearing is so poor and what ever happens in the future, I will always remember that she has given me those sounds and joy. That is the biggest gift she could give me right now. As well as that she was fantastic and I am so proud of her.

Later, someone who I have never met before approached me and said they had been following my blog and how "inspirational" it is. During a difficult period of their life, writing a blog helped them focus on something positive and they couldn't have got through that dreadful period of their life without it. They said that they hoped it would help me in the same way. They ended the conversation by kindly saying two graciously used words "thank you". Again I was overcome.