Claire Raisin 

Kia Ora Koutou, I grew up in Wanganui and have lived in Ōtautahi for over half of my life. I have a Masters in Special Education and have had different roles working with Deaf Community and more recently supporting families with their Turi tamariki.

I was born hearing and went Deaf when I was 2 and a half years old. No one knew why I had gone Deaf until last year! I was taught through the oral way and learnt American Sign Language when I was 16 years old. I walk in both the deaf and hearing world. Over the last couple of years, I noticed my very little hearing I had was dropping. It was suggested I put my name down for a Cochlear Implant.  I had a C.T scan in preparation for a Cochlear Implant and it was discovered then, I have EVA – Enlarged Vestibular Aquaeduct! Now that I have had a Cochlear Implant for 1.5 years, I am so much more aware of sounds around me. My teenagers have a love and hate relationship with my hearing – I can now hear the buzzer on the oven. At times I have to tell my teens to turn their devices down much to their annoyance.

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