Through the Fog: Navigating life's challenges while raising kids with hearing loss

by Valli Gideons

When my first child was identified with a hearing loss, I traveled through stages of grief and arrived at a place of acceptance. And no one should have to walk this path alone. A collection of personal heartfelt stories from my blog, My Battle Call, this book is for anyone moving through grief or difficult times hoping to find a path forward. Even when the future seems unsure, this collection of stories provides a dose of hope and encouragement. No matter how thick the fog is during life’s messy middle, the light will shine through if you just hang on long enough and give yourself grace.

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 6, 2022

Reviews

[Jennifer Payne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only wish is I would have found this book sooner in our journey. This read like a personal journal so much great real world experiences that our DHH kids will go through. I can’t say enough amazing things about this book and the advocating Valli does. Not everyone’s journey is the same but we all have a common goal of guiding our kids to success.

This book will keep a permanent place on the bookshelf and will be read over and over!

[Vicki Forbes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything I wish I had heard when my profoundly deaf son was born. Valli puts into words everything I wish I could have expressed to my family
And friends to describe how I was feeling. An excellent read

[Marcy Lloyd · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a new mom with a baby diagnosed with hearing loss, I was looking forward to this book, with the hopes that it talked more about living with children who are HOH/Deaf and the challenges, stories, successes, the journey in general. While there is some of that in here, there is a lot of other stories too about her life and things unrelated to hearing loss. So while it wasn’t a “bad” book, it just wasn’t what I thought it was or what I was looking for. Although the chapters that do talk about the hearing loss of her children really hit home and made me feel seen. Especially the early chapters where she shares about the first audiology appointment for her son’s ABR test and receiving the results.

[Amanda Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good read and hit on a lot of what I am feeling with having a kiddo born with hearing loss. I loved the theme of giving grace and how it is a battle in life. I wished there was more on day to day life of kiddos with hearing loss and just their life in the early days. I appreciate hearing about their life/military life. I myself can’t relate to that part of their story but it their journey. Good quick read that made me feel a little less alone.

[Karen Putz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully Written From a Mother’s Point of View

I enjoyed getting to know Valli through her parenting journey. As a mom of three deaf kids, I could also relate!
Valli does a wonderful job of bringing the reader through the ups and downs of so many different experiences—cancer, moving, military life, and mothering.

[Nancy Bsharah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. There were many takeaways with regard to raising kids with hearing loss. But it was also a great read with many short stories about Valli's life outside and around her journey with her family and hearing loss. She is a great writer. I really enjoyed the stories, life lessons and laughs this book gave me.

[Coco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as my son was in surgery for his cochlear implants. Even though we are newbies as a parents of a deaf child, this book had me feeling all the emotions. A great read leaving me feeling less alone and full of hope.

[Haley Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this 3.5 stars. Such a beautiful perspective from a mother of two children with hearing loss. Her strength and ability to keep advocating for her children’s needs is inspiring! While I loved the overall theme of battles and grace, it was really overdone.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not what I expected. She jumped around way too much, and I felt like the message of having and giving grace was overemphasized. I thought there would be more about raising kids with hearing loss and less about everything else, but it wasn't.

[Stephanie Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely memoir of one moms experience raising two kids with hearing loss. Valli is an amazing writer- we are blessed to get to share in her story!

[Toni Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grace on Grace on Grace. very heartfelt, conversational, and honest

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

really interesting and great lessons learned, wish there was more talk about her kids and their hearing loss… but it’s good

[Bkleung · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a treat! and not just for parents. Wonderful storytelling that blends humor, emotional insight and perceptiveness to things that happen to all of us in real life. I don't have kids with hearing loss, but there are so many relatable moments that made me think, "YES! that's me!" I've now gifted it to several friends :)