Saturday 21/07/90 – Hughan’s progress

In 1990, Hughan was one year eleven months old. We had started the program at the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town and Vanessa was our teacher at Parent Guidance. We lived far away in Botswana so I sent this letter to Vanessa, so she could track Hughan’s progress.

Dear Vanessa

We have seen a big change in Hughan lately. He is trying to say words like up, more, hello, hi, boo and when he wants something he will say a long sentence of babble with varied tones.

He enjoys holding his hand on your throat to feel the vibration of you speaking. He also does it to himself and enjoys you doing it to him as well.

He is walking everywhere now with more confidence. Friends have all commented on the change in him and the way he is talking away. Eye contact is great!

We are looking forward to our trip to Cape Town. I am bringing Jamie with me as he will be in his school holiday. 

Jamie plays very well with Hughan and always likes to include him. Willem and I encourage him all the time to talk to him as he tends to play in silence with him unless he is encouraged. I would like to try and involve Jamie once or so in our play when we are with you, so you can encourage him as well. I came home feeling much more confident in myself after the last trip. I am sure when Jamie watches he will get the idea.

Sorry I have not written to you sooner. I don’t think you will have time to write back to me before we leave for Cape Town. I have lots of photos to show you of Hughan’s school and moments at home.

I have also watched the video tape you did of our last trip together. Thanks for your interest and encouragement its really helped. 

Take Care 

love

Sue

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Saturday 21/07/90-Sponsored walk

Dear Vanessa

I hope you got my last letter ok!  Time flies, and it won’t be long until we will be in Cape Town again.

Saturday 21/07/90

Jamie had a sponsored walk on at school. His teacher assured me I didn’t have to walk with him as they had no major roads to cross. So I left him to walk and went to get Hughan.

When I got back to school, Jamie had walked the measured kilometre twice and had decided he didn’t want to walk again.

So I said I would walk once around with him and Hughan. I gave Hughan a piggyback which he really enjoyed.

On Sunday we played with all the noise making toys. Hughan is also asking to play our piano and he plays quite well using his fingers.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Friday 20/07/90 – a Toyota van

I spent the morning going backwards and forwards to the farm collecting manure for our garden. I had the use of a Toyota van and Hughan thought this was great.

We passed a flock of sheep on the road. I stopped to show him. We also saw a Peacock and lots of cattle and also the horses.

When we got back home after the last trip we played with the farm animals and grouped the pigs, sheep, horses and cattle together.

The boys played with the play dough over the weekend.

We have seen a big change in Hughan lately.He is trying to say words like up, more, hello, hi, boo and when he wants something he will say a long sentence of babble with varied tones.

He enjoys holding his hand on your throat to feel the vibration of you speaking. He also does it to himself  and enjoys you doing it to him as well.

He is walking everywhere now with more confidence. Friends have all commented on the change in him and the way he is talking away. Eye contact is great!

We are looking forward to our trip to Cape Town. I am bringing Jamie with me as he will be in his school holiday.

Jamie plays very well with Hughan and always likes to include him. Willem and IO encourage him all the time to talk to him as he tends to play in silence with him, unless he is encouraged. I would like to try and involve Jamie once or so in our play when we are with you, so you can encourage him as well. I came home feeling much more confident in myself after the last trip. I am sure when Jamie watches he will get the idea.

Sorry I have not written to you sooner. I don’t think you will have time to write back to me before we leave for Cape Town. I have lots of photos to show you of Hughan’s school and moments at home.

I have also watched the video tape you did of our last trip together. Thanks for your interest and encouragement its really helped.

Take Care

love

Sue

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Thursday 19/07/90 – Making sounds

We played with the toys that make sounds, squeaking toys, drums, the trumpet, wooden spoons, the toy telephone that has a loud ringing. Hughan is vocalising very well.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Wednesday 18/07/90 – Matching colours

Play school in the morning. Hughan enjoyed matching colours.

We went to the farm in the afternoon.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Tuesday 17/07/90 – A holiday

Willem is still at home and we had a day together.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Monday 16/07/90 – Fishing

Saturday 14/07/90 – Pointed to his ear

Over the weekend Hughan pointed to his ear at the noise of my pressure cooker.

He also brought me the Nesquick (chocolate drink) and a mug – indicating he wanted a Nesquick drink.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Friday 13/07/90 – Responding to me

Hughan turned around today when he heard me making noises behind him.

Jamie and Hughan played together with the Lego.

We also made play dough.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)

Thursday 12/07/90 – Copying the puppy

Hughan has decided he should try and copy the puppy. It was all very sweet.

We visited friends in the afternoon.

(I started this website to help other patents with deaf children through our experience. Our son Hughan was born in 1988 and was diagnosed profoundly deaf at 14 months old. We kept a Diary, so his progress could be tracked between our lessons, as we were living in Gaborone in Botswana and traveled every 3 months to the Carel du Toit Centre in Cape Town.)