|
NEW Format
Wavelengths is now being distributed in two versions -- a new enhanced edition with pictures and links distributed by email, and/or the old "plain jane" small-file edition sent by snail mail to those who request that we not overload their internet connection. You can also access the fancy version at our website, along with back issues.
|
|
Northern Idaho Families
|
LC Valley Deaf Club is now on Facebook. They have an open group to help you keep up with events in that area.
|
|
Our Growing Web Presence
Our new website includes a resource directory and a calendar of events -- stay up-to-date by visiting the site often!
You can also access our Facebook page and blog, both of which we hope you will use to share information with other parents.
Don't forget to follow our Razoo fundraising page, where you can renew your membership and/or make a contribution using your credit card.
Check it out ...
www.idhandsandvoices.org
|
|
For detailed info on each event, click here
May 13th - 10am
H&V Treasure Valley
OPEN GYM
Eagle, ID
May 14th - 11am IESDB Family Event
Idaho Falls, ID
May 14th - 9am CDHH Board Mtg
Boise, ID
May 17th - 6:30pm Elks HBC Parent Ed Series
Dizziness in Children
Meridian, ID
May 19th - 6:30pm H&V Treasure Valley
PARENT MEETING
Meridian, ID
June 4th - 10am H&V Treasure Valley
Coffee & Donuts in the Park
Boise, ID
June 4th - 4pm Golf Scramble
FUNDRAISING EVENT
Boise, ID
June 14th - 10am IESDB Summer Play Group
BOISE ZOO
Boise, ID
June 11th - 10:30am Elks HBC Parent Ed Series
Music Appreciation
Boise, ID
June 16h - 6:30pm AG Bell Idaho
KICK-OFF EVENT
Meridian, ID
June 23rd - 6:30pm Idaho H&V
BOARD MTG
Meridian, ID
June 25th - Noon H&V Magic Valley
DAY AT THE LAKE
Dierke's Lake
June 28th - 10am IESDB Summer Play Group
MK NATURE CENTER
Boise, ID
July 9th - 10am H&V Treasure Valley
Coffee & Donuts in the Park
Eagle, ID
July 12th - 10am IESDB Summer Play Group
DISCOVERY CENTER
Boise, ID
July 21st - 6:30pm H&V Treasure Valley
PARENT MTG
Meridian, ID
July 23rd - 11am Roaring Springs Water Park
DEAF AWARENESS DAY
Meridian, ID
July 26th- 10am IESDB Summer Play Group
JABBERS PLAY CENTER
Nampa, ID
|
|
Let's Talk!
Toddler Early Listening and Language (TELL)
Summer Session
|
|
|
Wavelengths ))) ))) ))) ))) )))
IDAHO HANDS & VOICES May 2011
|
|
Idaho H&V Off And Running in 2011
 Our former President Renee Higbee stepped down from her position in April, 2011. Renee has an exciting new career ahead of her as she will be graduating from Idaho State University in May with a degree in Educational Interpreting. Her dedication to improving services and providing family support to Idaho's deaf and hard of hearing children is immeasurable. We greatly appreciate all she has done for Idaho H&V and look forward to her continued service as an educational interpreter. We wish Renee the best of luck in her new endeavors! Shannon Garlitz, mother of three young children with hearing loss, was elected as the new acting President. Shannon brings a great deal of energy and enthusiasm to the board and hopes to encourage new parents to get involved. She has been working on updating the website and building a comprehensive, central Directory of Services. Her main objective for 2011 is to grow membership and create awareness about Idaho's pediatric deaf and hard of hearing community. Laura Bainbridge, mother of a deaf child, was elected to fill the vacant position of Vice President. Originally from the Midwest, Laura and her husband have lived in Idaho for the last 11 years. Laura spent ten of those years working as a physical therapist assistant. She graduated from Idaho State University's fast track nursing program in 2010 with her bachelor's degree as an RN. She looks forward to helping family participation in Idaho H&V. Karrie Pargman, Au.D., F-AAA is coming to the Board as a Pediatric Audiologist. She received her Doctor of Audiology degree from the University of Utah and Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Vermont. Karrie has been working at the Elks Hearing & Balance Center since May 2007. |
|
|
"First Year FREE" Membership
Our "first year free" membership offer is bringing new families into our ranks. We've enjoyed meeting many of you at recent events in the Treasure Valley and Magic Valley, and are planning to travel further afield as our family and work schedules permit.
We wish to extend a hearty thank-you to those who renewed their memberships for 2011, helping to make it possible for us to reach more families. We welcome all the new and familiar faces, and look forward to a great 2011!
If you still need to renew your membership, you can do so by filling out and mailing in the registration form listed on our website. Or, if you want to pay with a credit card online, click here.
|
|
CDHH Searching for Parent to Serve on Board
The position of "parent of a child who is deaf" is currently vacant. The Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing meets four times annually. The Council pays for travel, lodging and meal expenses.
"The position of Council member is one of leadership and includes the power to establish policy and govern. Such leadership implies the acceptance of a high commitment to work for the broad purposes and the objectives of the Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. A council member's wisdom, counsel, and support are vital to the success to the mission of the Council."
For a full list of Council member responsibilities, please go to the CDHH website and follow the link to the March e-newsletter. This information is on pages 15 and 16.
|
|
Idaho Parent in Guatemala
By Susie Jones
I had the opportunity and privilege to travel to Guatemala in February on a service trip with Healing the Children organization. The purpose of the trip was to test hearing in children and provide hearing aids to those who would benefit. I joined three other Americans, all audiologists for the 7 day trip. Our team of locals consisted of 3-4 Spanish translators, and four teachers/therapists.
We began our journey in Guatemala City and traveled to Xela, San Marcos, and Quiche, small villages in the highland region of southwestern Guatemala. We spent many hours in a 12-passenger van driving between clinics. That "down time" gave me much opportunity to see the country and get to know more about the local culture and needs. We saw at least 250 children for hearing tests and fit approximately 85 hearing aids. The hearing aids were donated by Unitron, Resound and Phonak, and supplies were donated by Westone and private donors. Families were given Dri-Aid kits, cleaning tools and batteries and instruction on maintenance of the hearing aids. They can get additional batteries at low cost through a local clinic.
We took many toys, stickers and candy to share with the children we tested and their siblings. The girls loved the fancy barrettes and bubbles. And the boys liked the matchbox cars best.
There are very few resources in Guatemala to support children with hearing loss. Hearing aids are difficult to obtain even if you have the money to purchase them, which most families do not. There is no such thing as newborn hearing screenings so hearing loss is usually not diagnosed until around age five, and only if you're able to travel to one of the few audiology centers in the country. There are schools for children who are deaf that offer sign language instruction, but only in larger communities.
Despite their limited resources, the families in Guatemala are not much different from those in the U.S. They love their children deeply and want the best for them. They'll travel many hours by bus and wait patiently in line for many more hours to get answers. I was so impressed with how well-behaved the children were and how grateful the parents were.
I did meet with a few families of children with cochlear implants in Guatemala City who have formed an organization to help one another and find more resources for their children. They may be the next international Hands & Voices chapter!
|
|
Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Offering sign language interpreted performances and an assistive listening system. Visit our website for dates and ticket information.
|
|
Fun Stuff To Do With Your Kids: IN THE SWIM
By Lorna Irwin
The question arose -- how to do swimming lessons, swim team, etc. with your child who is deaf or hard of hearing? We asked and got several answers from parents around the state (and from Colorado, thank you Sara!). Of course, the answer is not the same for every child, and there are sure to be more ideas out there, so we are going to post this on our Facebook page and solicit more input! A few general themes have emerged:
First, choose your venue! If a recreation district or other agency receives government funds, they must abide by the Americans with Disabilities Act and provide reasonable accommodation. Private organizations may or may not, depending on their definition of "reasonable."
Most parents seem to have opted for either private or semi-private lessons in the beginning. For semi-private lessons, having a friend or sibling as the other student can be a plus, as that child is already familiar with the communication needs of the child who is deaf or hard of hearing.
Because hearing aids and implant processors need to come off while swimming, communication can present new challenges for children who rely on their "ear gear". The families who replied to our request all used some form of visual communication during the lesson, either signs or Cued Speech, either provided by a parent nearby as needed, or through an interpreter. For young kids, it helps if the interpreter comes prepared to get in the pool. Going over phrases likely to be used and the signs or cues for them before the lessons can help. Finding an instructor who can communicate directly with the child is better yet; swim instruction requires a lot of "showing" along with the "telling" and it can be difficult to coordinate the two when they are coming from two separate people.
Antoher issue is water in the ears. Tubes and cochlear implants are not a happy combination, and one mother says she's just going to skip the swimming lessons this summer after the medical problems of a previous summer. Kids who want their hearing aids back in before their ears are really dry can also run into problems with infections; another mother says the solution that worked better than anything else was the use of a tight-fitting racer's swim cap.
This is just a start! We invite you to contribute your experiences and let other parents know if you've found a really good venue or instructor. Go to www.idhandsandvoices.org for an easy link to our Facebook page.
|
|
|
))) ))) ))) ))) )))
The next issue of Wavelengths will appear sometime in early July. Please send in stories, book reviews, helpful hints, whatever you have to share. To contact Lorna Irwin (editor) for any reason: niwri2@msn.com or 208-324-7544.
We are still looking for contributions to our series "Fun Stuff to Do with Your Kids." |
|
|
