Elias, Ari and Sam are three very busy boys. Whether it’s devouring sushi and pizza - Elias’ favourites, or fruit and broccoli - Ari’s snack of choice, while they read their favourite books and watch their favourite movie (Toy Story), these three boys are always on the go! Parents Sara and Josh Cook were introduced to Manitoba Possible in 2018 after their son Ari was diagnosed with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and it would turn out that all three boys have the same congenital hearing loss. Overcoming barriers is easier when done together - the family navigated learning American Sign Language (ASL) and communication techniques as a team. 

“We have felt so supported by our team at Manitoba Possible. We have been learning ASL as a family, which has helped us all understand each other better. It helps remove some of the frustration of toddlers who can't articulate what they need or want,” she shares. Working with the teams at the Communication Centre for Children who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and Children’s Service Coordination has been a big step in removing barriers for the three boys.  The family has embraced a bimodal approach, which is a combination of Spoken Language and ASL, to communicate and has made connections with other families in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community to foster a sense of shared experience and supports.

When asked what Manitobans can do to be more inclusive, the family shared, “it would be great to have more education for those who are not involved with people with disabilities. Teaching others that just because someone is differently abled doesn't mean that they are unable.”