August 2008 is a month I will never forget. It was the month that we found out that our beautiful daughter was deaf and the month in which it seemed our lives would never be the same again.
In March of 2009, Alice was fitted with a cochlear implant and since then her progress has been breathtaking. This has only been possible for two reasons: Alice’s determination,patience and desire to learn and the unique help and support we have received along the way from Auditory Verbal UK.
Auditory Verbal UK is a national charity which teaches deaf children with hearing aids or cochlear implants to listen and speak. After three years of family-based Auditory verbal therapy, over 80% close the language gap and enter mainstream schools alongside their hearing friends. The charity works directly with 60 families and reaches out to many more through training programmes for professionals across the UK.
Three years ago, Chris (Alice’s Daddy), Andy (Alice’s Godfather) and James sat down and decided that, as rowers of historical prowess, that to spend a week or so rowing the Upper Thames would be an experience we would always cherish and look back on with fond memories in our old age. We are now doing it for a real purpose.
91 Miles, 30 locks, in three days not seven. That’s 10-12 hours rowing a day. We must be mad.
Not every family currently has the ability to access the wonderful work and support that AV UK provide. We are aiming to raise £3,000 (or well North of) to help other families to see and experience the benefits Alice has been lucky enough to enjoy.
This is not a row for Alice, it is a row to help the countless children for whom AV UK might provide their best hope of integrating fully with their hearing peers in the hearing world.
Please help us by visiting: www.justgiving.com/three-men-in-a-boat
Alice's Ears 
Would like to say a big thank you to you for all the information and (mainly) positive vibes on your website. I have visited many times since my little boy Oisin ‘failed’ his ABR after having normal OAE shortly after his birth in November, we are still being assesed for maturation so do not officially have diagnosis of AN/AD but I would rather be prepared than foolishly optimistic! Good luck with your challenge and best wishes to your special girl she sounds fabulous!
Tracey,
Thank you so much for your note – it is so nice that other people can gain some comfort from our experiences, both good and bad.
I do so hope things work out for you and your little one – we will all keep our fingers crossed for you. That said (and as Alice is testament to) it really isn’t the end of the world, just the start of a journey. We meet new people every day who show us that there really is a bright light at the end of the tunnel.
Do keep in touch and let us know how things progress for you and thank you so much for your kind donation to our row – we must be mad!
Chris