interviews & podcasts
LOU FERRIGNO
Champions are a breed apart. Their motivation and their dedication are far beyond average. Mohammed Ali said it best; “I hated every minute of training. But I said… Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”
When the opportunity came to interview a recent cochlear implant recipient who also is a special champion I jumped at the chance. Lou Ferrigno at age twenty-one was the youngest Mr. Universe and later went on to win it two years in a row along with a long string of other wins in body-building competitions. His career included his best-recognized performance as The Incredible Hulk in the television series.
In a recent interview, Lou mentioned being bullied as a child for his hearing loss. I could identify with that. We both lost our hearing at about the same age and used analog body-worn hearing aids with a wire running to an earpiece. I was a skinny weakling, but I could not image anyone picking on Lou and live to tell the tale.
READ THE INTERVIEW or Click on the Photo to Listen to the Podcast.
ELENA LaQUATRA
“You don’t look deaf.”
I can’t recall how many times I heard that comment from strangers. I suspect most of us, at one time or another, have been shocked by the public’s ignorance of hearing loss.
Elena LaQuatra, a television news anchor, gives us her take on how to reply to that insensitive comment with tact and aplomb. She sees it as an opportunity to educate the public.
Her deafness is a part of who she is, but it does not define how she lives her life. She is unstoppable. Along with help from her colleagues and family and friends, she has risen to the top of her game.
Deafened by meningitis at age four, her parents opted to have her receive a cochlear implant by the time she was five.
Her story reiterates that receiving a cochlear implant can open the world to a recipient. Those who are willing to work hard, are on the road to success.
We may have an invisible disability but there is no reason to become invisible.
Listen to or read her story and be inspired. READ MORE or Click on the Photo to Listen to the Podcast.
DR. LOREN BARTELS
I recently learned that Dr. Loren Bartels had performed a cochlear implant surgery on a five month old child.
He was also the surgeon who performed bilateral cochlear implant surgery on me in December 2015 just before my 65th birthday.
His career with cochlear implants predates the time of FDA approval for them in the United States.
In other words, he has seen and performed surgery and the restoration of hearing through these miracle devices from the start. He talks about his background and the advancement of cochlear implants as well as his own criteria for determining a candidacy. His views on pediatric cochlear implant surgery are invaluable to parents seeking answers.
His unique perspective is invaluable to those starting their hearing journey research. I am glad he agreed to take time on his busy schedule to sit down with me for this interview. READ MORE or Click on the Photo to Listen to the Podcast.
MIKE DAILEY
I have seen glimpses of Mike Dailey, the fireman with bilateral cochlear implants. His story seemed to peek out now and then on social media from time to time.
Until he joined the Facebook group, Bilateral CI Warrior, I had been unable to contact him.
Now I have his interview, and this is why is it so important that candidates and recipients take time to listen to it or read the transcript.
Mike embodies the concept that if you have talent, a cochlear implant is not an impediment to accomplishing your dreams. He is a shining example of that.
Many times, I have seen people post the question: What kind of job can I look for if I have a cochlear implant? As Mike tells it, there are no limits. Zero. Nada. None.
Inspirational does not begin to describe Mike Dailey.
Listen or read and learn. READ MORE or Click on the Photo to Listen to the Podcast.
MARIA ANDERSON
Maria Anderson is a shining example of a cochlear implant recipient who has never let them slow her down for a moment.
A marathon runner, hiker and adventurer she recently completed a marathon in Greenland while wearing her Advanced Bionics processor clipped to her running shorts. She has also hiked Kilimanjaro, and to the base camp of Mt. Everest as well as around Mount Blanc.
Maria’s hearing loss began in her mid-30s. She continued to compensate, determined not to wear a hearing aid so not to show her disability. She continued to struggle for 10 years before a total loss in her right ear forced her to reconsider.
She received an Advanced Bionics implant in 2007 and two years later went bilateral. Both operations were done by Dr. John Niparko at Johns Hopkins.
She discusses her fear of losing the 8% residual hearing in her left before going bilateral, her work environment, and the support from her family.
At first embarrassed by her deafness, she discovered the Sarasota chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America where she learned how to advocate for herself and others and her insights are invaluable and mentoring to help others has become a passion. READ MORE or Click on the Photo to Listen to the Podcast.