Contact Network!

Last weekend, I travelled all the way down to Cambridge to join the Contact Network group. Friday evening they had a social meet up with a BBQ. I have never really met any of the contact network group before apart from Tiz who I have met at the EF and the two other AB users who I have met during my assessment at the Ear foudation to help me decide wheather I wanted a cochlear implant or not. Oh and there was Elaine from CIUG who I have spoken to loads of time asking her tons of question about the implant. I didn't realise they would be there

When I got to the Mellor Centre, I signed in and went to my bedroom and dropped my bags off. The time we got in our room, it was almost time to join the crew. Richard and I were walking towards the study centre, well we were trying to find the place and as we got near the building, there was a lady walking by waving at me saying "Hi katie-louise" I were like, erm... "Hi" (I didn't have a clue who she was) Untill I got close and I realise after she told me who she was. Michelee has been reading my blogs and so thats how she knew me. (It was great to meet you Michelle) We both walked up to the study centre along with my partner Richard who were also with us for the weekend. As soon as we got into the study centre, Tiz was already by the door way - so, that was alright for me, as there was someone esle already knew - Tiz took control and introduce me to his boss (nice to meet you boss :-) After I got a drink, I spotted my great old audiologist that did my assessment to get a cochlear implant and who has left me for her new job just before my switch on, but hey at least shes working for the 'RIGHT' company, it was great to catch up with kezia again. (hopefully see you again sometimes)

The room was full other AB users. I managed to get chance to talk to most of them. they all seem nice and it was great to know all of their experince too. we also had a good game on the Wii, playing against to the other AB users was so much fun. While we were eating up our dinner, Tiz join us and was asking if kezia has told me something. Kezia and Yvoone soon jumped in quick and told Tiz to shush. They had something exciting to tell us the next morning. I kinda guess what it was, so thanks tiz for the hint :-P They all know how crazy I am with the colours on my implant and what I did to one of the cover (yes, spraying it pink) Thats me and I love to stay in fashion, not just with clothes, but with my implant too.

The next morning, I was ment to go for a run, but after seening the meeting was gonna be from 9ish till 4. I thought I better not and take the weekend off. Sunday morning, I did actually went out and did the extra hour run to make up from what I lost.

Breakfast was nice, so there were more time for us users to enjoy chatting awaying. Finally after breakfast it was time to join the group for a meeting. The people who worked for AB/contact network had lot of presentation to show us - its was all about the history, achievements, future of AB and many more. I thought it was so interesting. I have learnt so much, and still I can't believe how much I didn't know even though I had the cochlear implant for a year and there is still so much more to learn. I was actually impressed with the future equipments for the processor etc - next on my list I want a pink, hehe :-) and also other things they have such as the new T-mic earmould that we're going to try out. Poor kezia haven't done made and ear mould for over 10 months, but she has done so well - It was a good job I learnt how to lip-read, so I could keep up with what the others were talking about while my implant were off. After having the ear mould made, I also made a bouncing ball with the left overs lol. I actually gave that to Nicolas, who is stopping at my families home to play with. The music session was also interesting. I am not really into music that much. I only know a bit of Duffy and The Saturdays because I quite like the beats they played and my sister helped me with the lyrics etc.

The CD software they have and what they showed us seems to be so interesting. She played a few tracks to see if we could guess them and we had to imagine whats happening during that sounds. I thought that was really userful so I am gonna give that a try and then make a post on what I think about it. (watch out for the next post)
In the meeting room, they had a quite a few instruments out, so, myself and the other AB users decided to play with them and make some sounds. Some of thoses instruments I have never heard before. Some sounded good and some were awful. we had fun with them though. We made sooo much racket and I felt sorry for kezia, tiz and the others - I bet we were getting on their nerves. They must be so glad when we had stopped playing them lol.

The Future of AB - justs gets better! I am impress on what they are working on! I am looking forward to help more, and go to more of there meetings! A big thanks for the AB crew - Hopefully see you all again so soon!