HIKE News 01/20/2010

TEXAS HIKE PRESENTATION ANDREW CLARK

 Submitted by Julie Barrett, AuD, Doctor of Audiology
Texas Children’s Health Center – The Woodlands

A presentation was made on December 11, 2009 to Andrew Clark.  Andrew and his mother, Stephanie Clark, were presented with a check in the lobby of the Health Center. All the clinic staff were present as well as the waiting room patients.  I said a few words regarding the generosity of Job’s Daughters and on their behalf I presented Andrew a check for $3,500.00 to use for new hearing aids.  This was followed by a thunderous applause!

Andrew (Drew) is four and wanted his new hearing aids to be like Spiderman. We talk about his awesome black and silver “Spidey” hearing aids and how they give him supersonic hearing!  He used to fuss about wearing his old hearing aids, but is very proud of his new hearing aids and wants them on as soon as he wakes up in the morning.  The day after he was fit with his new hearing aids he went to school and his speech teacher could not believe the difference and improvement in his speech after only one day with them.  She was astonished!

TEXAS HIKE PRESENTATION RHIANNON LUCAS

Submitted by Julie Barrett, AuD
Doctor of Audiology
Texas Children’s Health Center – The Woodlands

 A presentation was made at the Texas Children’s Health Center on January 28, 2009 to Rhiannon Lucas.  Rhiannon is an 11 year-old young lady that has struggled with fluctuating hearing loss and middle ear problems most of her life.  She also has Down syndrome but that does not slow her down.  She is very determined and once she sets her mind to something, there is no stopping her!  The money that HIKE provided paid for her first set of hearing aids.  She loves her pink hearing aids coupled to glittery ear molds and is so proud to wear them.  She is learning to take them in and out by herself and wear them throughout the school day.  Her mother says that there is a huge difference when she has them on as she is more attentive and focused.  Her teachers also state that wearing hearing aids makes a big difference in her academic success at school.