Talk to Alice Popa, mother of a child with a cochlear implant, clinical psychologist, president of the KOALA Verbal Auditory Rehabilitation Association.
1.What made you register your daughter for the workshops in this project?
I was attracted by the theme of the workshops and the fact that she had worked with the trainers in the project before.
2.What was the reason why you chose these workshops?
The decision belonged to my daughter, she chose themes that she likes.
3.Did it matter that they were online and that they were offered for free?
It mattered that they were online, it made it easier for her to participate, having classes in the afternoon, she doesn’t have much free time. And the fact that they were free was also welcomed.
4.How do you think your daughter really benefited from the workshops in the project? Can you mention at least three benefits?
The benefits of these workshops were: socializing with other children of her age, learning certain personal development techniques, diversifying her daily activities (taking her out of the routine).
5.What needs do you consider to be met by carrying out such workshops?
With the help of these workshops, these children create connections that can last and they can continue their communication beyond the workshops.
6.Do you think such workshops should be organized constantly? Can you explain your answer?
Yes, these workshops would be welcomed constantly, they help them meet children just like them and not only, to discover other fields and activities.
7.Can you tell us how you perceived the girl’s participation and involvement in this project as a parent? What emotions did you capture?
From our perspective the workshops were beneficial for the children. Not a few times did I hear my child laughing and comfortably talking within them.
8.If you were to do an exercise of imagination, what memories, related to this project, do you think your daughter will have in 10 years time?
In 10 years time, I think she will fondly remember the objects she did, the trainers she had, some of them having a strong impact on her, but also her workshop colleagues.
9.If this project were to develop more, what areas of interest would you suggest could be addressed to in the future, in order to support children and young people with hearing impairments, cochlear implants / hearing aids carriers?
For the future workshops I’d recommend topics such as: personal development, self-confidence, discovering each one’s potential. Unfortunately, sometimes, in this regard the society doesn’t help these children and maybe in this way they can be helped to see that they can have the same chances as their colleagues who can hear.