Time for Goodbye

[Guest guest]

Greetings Charge Family,

Well, I've been on this list for over 2 years now, but I must say " so long "

for a while. I must admit I've fallen very behind this whole summer and just

haven't been able to ever catch up. Also, a couple of weeks ago, I attended

the Nat'l Conf for Deaf-Blind in Salt Lake City and came home w/ some good

ideas how to help my fellow military members w/ their many moves. I need to

concentrate on that now while I'm still fired up. All of you have been a

great support through the years. It has been so inspiring to read of your

many trials and triumphs. Everybody has also been very helpful during our

hard and happy times. I couldn't have made it w/o each and every one of you.

I am sad to be saying good bye for now, but I will be back from time to time

to share our latest news, triumphs and problems as they arise. You all are a

great wealth of knowledge and support. I am excited to see so many babies

knowing they are getting the support each of us " seasoned " parents wished we

had all those years ago. Thanks to Casey, none of us will ever feel alone and

like no one has ever done this before. Casey, I'm sure you never imagined

your list would grow to be this big and loving. You have done a great thing

for all of us--a void no one else could have filled so adequately and fully.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Before I go I will share one last piece of news: After 5 years of sedations

to make ear molds for her hearing aids, Destiny had her first molds made last

week while she was awake!! We also had her first tympanagram in her life (she

wouldn't even do them sedated!) that day. Oh, those sedations, while

necessary, are so hard and no fun for anybody--least of all Destiny. Besides

I noticed on the last one it took more meds to get her to sleep and she woke

up earlier so we were going to have to come up w/ new ideas soon anyway. She

didn't flinch at all for the tympanagram (I had to ask the audio if she even

did it), and she backed away from the ear mold goop at first not sure what

was happening. Once she saw it was safe she sat there like she'd been doing

this her whole life. I did the " Happy Dance " the whole way home. NO MORE

SEDATIONS FOREVER!!!

Well, family, I'll stay on one more week then send Casey the unsubscribe

note. I'll always have e-mail so if you want to write or fwd me something,

I'll be here. Thanks for everything!! My love to you all!

(Destiny 7 1/2 CHARgE, Zachary 5)

NYC