I'm happily married with 4 great kids with a huge rage of ages. Girl 18, boy 16, boy 7, boy 4. My sister and I have started our own Internet business because of hearing loss working on the private sector isn't an option.

I am married to a wonderful man, Lance, who excepted my older 2 kids and has come to love them as his own but has never tried to replace their real dad's. The two youngest are his but he doesn't treat them any different then the older ones. That takes a very special man.

Each of my children has had their own unique setbacks in life and each is beating the odds and suceding in life.

Dezmon  18  -   My daughter has not had the easiest time adjusting to a split family and because her father and I couldn't find even ground she was stuck in the middle. Over time I learned ways to help make this easier for her but she really had some hard times off and on over the last dozen years. She is in college now and has learned to stand up for herself, her beliefs, and that she can make her own choices!!!

Dan-O  16  -  My oldest son was born almost deaf but with several surgeries he has been able to retain some of his hearing.  We know that this possibly wont be permanent but he has had a chance to learn to speak, read lips, andhear the world around him. He was mainstreamed in school until last year when he finally had to enroll in the Deaf School. He went in with little to no signing ability, he was fluking out of high school his freshmen year. Now he is class President, ASB President, caption of the football team, and STRAIT A's!!!

Devôn  7  -  My middle son has just a little hearing loss but we knew right off that he was ADHD. We have tried to keep him off medication but when he entered Kindergarten we had to put him on medication because he was very out of control. It's taken us a year anda half to find the right meds and dosage to help him so he can concentrate in class. Just because he is ADHD doesn't mean he is stupid he is doing 3 grade reading, 2nd grade math and its just into the beginning of 1st grade!!!

Zayben  4  -  My littlest boy is 4 years old and so cute, long blond hair with just enough curl to make anyone go "Ohhh". Diagnosed with Chiari Malformation Dec. 08 still learning our options to help him. He is severely hard of hearing also. Right now I am fighting with our local school district to get him back an interpreter in his head start class. He had one last year and was making great headway socially, emotionally, and in speech and communication. But when his interpreter left to have a baby they never filled the position again. That was last April 2008 its now end of Oct 2008. He also has obstructive sleep apnea. Very rare in children but somewhat common for adults. He only sleeps a few hours at a time and never more then 6. So I endup staying up most nights until 3-4 am. My husband is wonderful he gets the kids off to school so I can sleep in a little later.

Well that's quite a bit about my family I would love to hear from other parents that may have encountered some of these life experiences and share stories, ideas, and even helpful advice.