Benjamin the day he left for the UK, 1 March, 2020
Just 95 words to tell the story of the hearing journey of my son, Benjamin, barely seemed enough, but given the word ‘Listen’, it was impossible to think of anything else to write about. Now 21, Benjamin has bi-lateral cochlear implants which have made an immense difference to his ability to connect to the world around him.
Some days he was more difficult than others. We called him ‘perverse’ when we were angry and ‘free spirited’ when we felt more generous towards his contrary behaviour.
Mostly, he was just a normal little boy.
But he was often frustrated with us and himself. We took him for a barrage of tests. We were shocked to discover that his three year old chatter had been disguising a profound hearing loss and he had learnt to cope in his muffled world all alone.
He taught us that there is more than one way to listen.
Born and bred in Manchester UK with a degree in French from the University of Exeter, I found myself in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1995 via Spain, France and Greece. And London.
I have worked in the hospitality industry in marketing, as a radio and tv producer, in PR and communications for South Africa's buy local advocacy campaign and since June 2022 have been running my own content creation and PR company, Use Lorem Ipsum.
I have always been a reader and writer of stories and am relieved finally to have achieved the publication of this blog. Now for that novel.
I am the mother of 2 sons, middle of 3 sisters, owner of a dog and the ex wife and ex girlfriend of a number of men who clearly didn't deserve me.
I am an eternal optimist for myself, my country and the planet, so don't let me down, world.
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