Kristle's New Smile

I met Kristle and her mother at their Post Orthodontic Consult. This appointment is reserved for a review from the start of treatment all the way to our “photo finish.” We also talk about what it takes to maintain that smile a lifetime. I do these appointments twice a week in the office and always enjoy showcasing a patient’s smile and, every once in a while, I meet someone who’s story needs to be shared.

Kristle’s mom is a teacher in the field of special education. She is a very articulate, personable woman and she is also profoundly deaf. Her own mother was determined she be at home in a hearing world and worked with her an extra three hours every day on academics, speech, and social skills. When she gave birth to a child of her own with perfect hearing, she was just as determined as her own mother that her little girl be exposed to the one thing she couldn’t provide – music.

Kristle’s grandmother slipped easily into her roll as teacher once again with Kristle as her rapt pupil, only this time focusing on music. Singing came easily for Kristle as she was born with the gift of perfect pitch. She also plays the recorder, piano, and excels at the violin. As a freshman in high school, she sings opera at a college level and plans on pursuing musical studies in college. Kristle and her mother are the only two members of the family who practice the art of signing. Both participate in a deaf choir to bring music to life by virtue of signing, facial expression, and body language.

There is no doubt that Kristle comes from a line of women with fortitude and foresight and Kristle reflects those characteristics, too. With the loving “polish” from mom and Grandma there is absolutely no doubt that Kristle is bound to shine brightly!