For sisters Tenley and Adalyn Green, having someone who understands their experience with hearing loss is part of what makes their relationship special. Now, they’re sharing that connection with other children through the pages of Hearing Our Way magazine.
Tenley, a fourth grader at Griffin Elementary, and Adalyn, a sixth grader at White Pines Intermediate, were recently featured together in the magazine’s fall edition. Their article explores their experiences as siblings who wear hearing aids and what it means to have each other.
“I like having a big sister with hearing aids because it's kind of fun having somebody like me,” Tenley said.
Last school year, the sisters worked with Heather Smaka, their former hearing consultant from Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, to put their experiences into words. Through regular meetings, Smaka helped them decide what they wanted to share and encouraged them throughout the process.
For Adalyn, this was her second time appearing in the magazine. She worked on her first article in fourth grade and received the published edition when she was in fifth grade. That story introduced readers to her interests, including gymnastics, and how she uses a headband during practice to help keep her hearing aids in place.
Adalyn shared that seeing her story in print was exciting, and she received extra copies to share with family and friends.
This time, the excitement of seeing their names in print was something the sisters got to experience together, along with the chance to help other children with hearing loss feel less alone.
“It feels cool knowing that other kids can read our story and see how we’re overcoming some of the same obstacles they're dealing with,” Adalyn said. “Sometimes people feel kind of alone because they don’t know anybody like them. Showing them that there are other people like them can help them feel more comfortable being themselves.”
The sisters’ work with their hearing consultants extends beyond the magazine. They learn about their hearing and equipment, practice caring for their hearing aids, and set goals to build independence. They also learn how to advocate for themselves and explain what helps them hear and participate. This school year, they are supported by OAISD teacher consultant Jenn Robinson.
Outside of sharing their experiences in print, both sisters enjoy reading. Tenley counts literacy among her favorite parts of school, while Adalyn enjoys English language arts and is currently working on writing a fantasy book about talking wolves.
Through their magazine article, the sisters are helping other young readers see that their experiences matter and that they have stories worth sharing, too.
