Hi Andrew,

My name is Sharon Hooley.  Welcome to this list!  I was born blind, 
and my hearing has dwindled gradually until I received the cochlear 
implant a year ago last December.  I know what it's like to not be 
included, and when I was a schoolgirl I didn't like the idea of using 
a cane and hearing aids.  Those are for old people, right?  I thought.

Your new friend,

Sharon