Amanda at DCA-Last video clip before activation

Here is a video clip of Amanda and me at Disney's California Adventure (DCA)  in Anaheim, CA.  It was taken July 27, 2008, two days after Amanda's 14th birthday. We were there smack dab between her cochlear implant surgery and her initial stimulation (also known as hook up or activation.)  We are in line waiting to ride the new ride, Toy Story Mania, for the first time. 

She has been going to DCA ever since it opened February 8, 2001 when she was 6.  She has always enjoyed going to Disneyland and DCA even though she cannot hear anything.  There's certainly an abundance of things to experience through the other senses! When she was 10 she began asking for a CI partly so she could hear the music and the shows at the parks.

She wanted to go for her birthday (See post dated Tuesday, July 29, 2008 for photos) so we decided to videotape some of it to document her last quiet visit to Disneyland and DCA.  I purposely fiddled with the sound alternating between the natural resonance and the soundlessness Amanda has experienced for 14 years.

Disneyland/DCA 15 days before Amanda's activation

Here we are at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure 15 days before Amanda's CI activation date!  FUN DAY!

Here is Amanda with her new pink iPod!

 

Toy Story Midway Mania at Disney's California Adventure-FUN New Ride and one that Joseph could go on!

Amanda is sitting in the first "A" in CALIFORNIA  just outside the entrance to DCA. You can see Disneyland behind her.

Here we are at the Mickey Floral just inside of Disneyland. 

Amanda gets a Birthday iPod

For Amanda's 14th Birthday, she wanted nothing more than a pink iPod.  Once her CI is activated 8/12/08 we'll know a whole lot more than we do now about what kind of music she will like since she's never heard anything.

Here are some photos of our trip today to the 

Apple Store.....and Cheesecake Factory.

 

     Amanda offers a drink                  By a giant pink iPod          

       of water to Joseph                                                        

Some technical  discussion?  

   Gonzálo & Joseph ready                Jennifer & Amanda        

             for dessert                         posing before digging in                              

                                           

                Outside                      Heading home to figure  out 

       Cheesecake  Factory             how to use her new iPod 

Happy 14th Birthday, Amanda!

          
                    Happy 14th Birthday Amanda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  

I took these while Amanda was waiting for a doctor's appointment the day before her birthday. I thought the sillouhette effect of Amanda and her dad was captivating.  Wouldn't you agree?

And Joseph still doesn't have a braided beard like Amanda was discussing while waiting to be called for her CI surgery.  (See Tuesday, July 15, 2008  Amanda's Nervous Energy-Surgery Day.)