It’s been another summer full of amazing picnics hosted by our friends over at Ear Community—with a few more still to come! Each year Ear Community hosts picnics all over the world, where families come together to learn from each other, discuss the latest hearing technology, have fun in the sun, and meet other members of the community!
In honor of the amazing connections that happen at Ear Community’s Microtia and Atresia Summer Picnics, we’ve asked attendees to share their experiences with you here on our blog. This week, you’ll hear from Shannon Katuszonek, a mom who is forever grateful for finding her strength through Ear Community.
Here’s Shannon to tell her story.
We had no idea my daughter, Ava, had a condition. When she was born it was quite the shock. As if learning to understand what her little ear meant wasn’t enough, she was our first child, so we had little frame of reference for newborns in general.
So, we took in whatever information the doctors gave us. We knew she failed the newborn hearing screening test. Then, our Microtia Pediatrician started telling us about the other things that could be wrong with her. “She could have Goldenhar Syndrome, a heart condition and more. But, we’ll just wait and see how she develops.”
There we were…
You’re looking at this beautiful little baby that you’ve been waiting for, and now you’re so overwhelmed. You can’t enjoy the moment, because you’re so worried about all of the things that might happen.
Each summer the Ear Community hosts picnics around the world that help bring Microtia and Atresia families together. The picnics offer a platform for the community to come together and share experiences. Medical professionals– Microtia and Atresia repair surgeons, ENTs, audiologists and therapists– also join to share information on the options for living with hearing loss. Families are even able to test the latest hearing products at the event.
As a sponsor and active participant in the picnics, we can’t think of a better way to spend a summer day.
Here’s when and where this summer’s picnics will take place: