Princesskrys, Thank you so much for your response! I have a few questions. How much time is made up of seminars and lectures? Are they all "informative" or do they have social get togethers too? Does everyone stay at the same resort or are guests spread out at all of the resorts?
I have so many questions... Thanks for your help. We're really considering it but my DS12 won't tolerate an "all work, no play" kind of trip to Disney. lol
OK I am going back a few years now and I am going to try and remember the details, I am excited I can actually answer a post...
This was the very first Cochlear Celebration they had, so I don't know if they went overboard or if all have been as extravagant. I did not go to California or Texas, so I can't compare.
Most people stayed at the same hotel the conference was at, Coronado Springs, but I am sure many stayed at the value resorts and traveled back and forth. I would definitely stay where the conference is it made things very easy and fun. The first day started at night, actually, with an ice-cream social on the beach (at the hotel). The characters where there, the princesses where there and Heather Whitestone was there and spent time with each child that wanted to try on her crown. I have a special place in my heart for her, she was implanted with her first implant the same day my daughter was. (OK, I know too much information.) The next day began the conferences; you could go to your choice of sessions. The kids were very well taken care of while the adults went to the sessions. It includes a very nice lunch and they lasted until just after noon and then they did an exhibition of different products that could be used with the implants such as t-coils, assistance for phones etc. The president of Cochlear Corp was there and he is so nice and down to earth. That night they had the most impressive event I could imagine. I cried when I walked in (actually spent a lot of the weekend crying - happy tears realizing how far we have come since she was diagnosed deaf at birth.) You walk into the room and they had different buffets set up, Mexican, Chinese, American and a kids buffet that had hot dogs, mac and cheese, chicken nuggets and a dessert buffet. One corner of the room was Mickey and Minney posing for Pictures, the other side some princesses. Every half hour they changed characters. They had face paining in one area, hair braiding, games where you could win prizes, Character drawing, roaming juggler, magician, band. (All free) I think of the most glamorous wedding I ever went to and it cannot touch this event.
The next day had more sessions where we met as a group and heard from Tom Westman. He is the New York Fireman that won Survivor, but what is never discussed on the show is that his daughter has a cochlear implant. He talked to us about his daughter and we could ask questions about being on Survivor also, but no-one did. The Inventor of the Cochlear implant did a talk via live feed, but I understand he came to at least on of the conferences since. Not sure if it was California or Texas. Also we got to talk to the person in charge of research and development. We then all met again as a huge group in the early in the afternoon and saw the video showing with all the pictures of the weekend that is now on the website. As an FYI if you watch the video, my daughter is the very last picture in the video. Sorry if I gave more info then you were looking for, but I could go on and on about this conference. I just received my postcard today and even though I am not looking for information like I was then, I may just have to take my daughter again. Feel free to ask any questions or PM me.
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