Hello

[JamieR]

I'm Jamie and beginning my BSL journey to support my son who is now 2. He was born bi-laterally severe/profoundly deaf and has undergone CI surgery. He was the youngest child in Cornwall at the time to undergo this operation (9 1/2 months) and has been using his implants for around 17 months now. He is doing well and we are happy he has access to sound, however, I feel it is important to support Lowen communicate using sign to help him overcome the frustration he may experience in these early stages of his development. His Mum and I are keen for English to be his first language, but appreciate that there will be times when he needs to 'switch off' and so BSL will be used to support as a backup. As a Primary School teacher I'm also keen to use BSL in my classroom to support other children who may have communication needs and encourage them to be more aware of the differences in people they get to know and interact with as they grow up. Fingers crossed I pick this up more fluently than Spanish! (Pun intended!)