Author's note: I'm sorry this is really short. I wanted to get this part over with and this is an introduction to the story.
P.S. This is based off my life about being deaf. Everything you see in here, is all real and my life and what I go through everyday being a deaf person. I also wanted to thank one of my good friends who drew the cover image of Deaf Anna and allowed me to use it for this story. Go check out her Tumblr!
Anna Spring was born profound deaf. At first, the parents; Idunn and Adgar Spring thought she was completely normal. But one day, Idunn noticed that Anna wasn't reacting to any of the sounds or the mother calling for her. So Idunn decided to get two pans and bang them behind Anna. Anna didn't react at all. Usually when you hear loud clanging sounds, you would jump. Anna didn't jump nor cry. Idunn knew there was something wrong with Anna and told Adgar.
So, Idunn and Adgar took Anna to the physician and get her checked up. Sadly, Anna was deaf and the parents didn't know until now. They both were devastated. Anna was diagnosed with Ushers Syndrome and Retinitis Pigmentosa.
Usher syndrome is a condition characterized by hearing loss or deafness and progressive vision loss. Anna had Type 1 Ushers.
Type 1 are typically born completely deaf or lose most of their hearing within the first year of life. Progressive vision loss caused by Retinitis Pigmentosa becomes apparent in childhood. This type of Usher syndrome also includes problems with the inner ear that affect balance. As a result, children with the condition begin sitting independently and walking later than usual.
The physician said there is a possibility of Anna being able to hear. A new modern technology called a Cochlear Implant. What a Cochlear Implant is, it has a magnet and it goes on top of your skull, and the wire or what you can call electrodes. The electrodes go into the ear drum and attach the hair inside the ear drum, onto the electrodes.
After the physician explained to the Springs how the Cochlear Implant works, the Springs immediately wanted to get it done for Anna. Idunn tried finding the best surgeon out there and found only one surgeon who was professional working with Implants. After Idunn called the surgeon, he said that he was so busy, that three months was already taken up. Idunn booked the earliest date for Anna's surgery. All Idunn and Adgar could do now, was to wait and hire a professional signer to teach the Springs how to sign for Anna, as well teach Anna how to sign. At the time, Anna was only a year old.
Four months passed by and Anna was able to communicate to her parents by sign language and reading their lips. She was learning how to speak without being able to hear and the Springs we're so excited. They felt like they we're going towards in the right direction for Anna's future and her ability to be able to communicate like a non-deaf person can. Anna was sixteen months old now. She still has not heard a sound. Anna had gotten glasses because of her Retinitis Pigmentosa and it helped her vision better.