HIKE News 07/04/2010

 NEW JERSEY HIKE PRESENTATION

Submitted by Lisa P. Soslow, Au.D., CCC-A
The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia – Care Network 

Madelynne Tyree, age 11 years, was presented with Phonak EasyLink+ transmitter and MLxi receivers on June 30, 2010 at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in Voorhees, New Jersey.  Madelynne has a mild to moderate bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.  She was fit with binaural Phonak Certena M hearing aids on June 17, 2009.  Her medical insurance covered some of the cost of the hearing aids, but the family still had to pay a difference of $404.80.  Madelynne still struggles to hear background noise and at a distance even while wearing her hearing aids.  Her family wished for Madelynne to have use of an FM system at home, while playing sports, and for religious activities.  Through the generosity of THE HIKE FUND, this wish became a reality. 

Thank you again for your support.

Madelynne and her audiologist Lisa P. Soslow, Au.D., CCC-A.

TEXAS HIKE PRESENTATIONS & THANK YOU

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

Robert Acker was fitted with hearing aids on February 10^th while he was just three months old.  He is the youngest patient that Dr. Barrett has ever worked with.  His mother and grandmother were present at the fitting to receive the HIKE presentation.

On June 2, 2010, Jacob Heath, 9 years of age, received the gift of hearing at the Texas Children’s Health Center, in The Woodlands, Texas.  His mother and twin brother, Joey, were present at the presentation. Jacob was fitted with hearing aids at the health center upon receiving his check. 

 THANK YOU from Julie L. Barrett, AuD, Doctor of Audiology

I cannot express my gratitude and appreciation for the work that you do for children with hearing impairment.  I have been an audiologist for 13 years and have worked only with children for the past eight.  I have not found a more honorable institution than yours. You are so generous with your donations and so appreciated by myself and all of our families that you have helped. 

One of the many things that stands out about your organization is that you take into account more than financial means as a guideline of candidacy.  Many of my working class families are the ones that suffer the most with paying for hearing aids.  They don’t qualify for governmental aid, have insurance, but most insurance companies don’t cover hearing aid costs.  These hard working families can’t afford the cost of the hearing aids.  And that is where, fortunately, your organization steps in. 

I wish I could express the joy that these families express when they get the letter of acceptance and then again when their child gets their hearing aids. 

Again, my very sincerest thanks and appreciation for all you do.  I look forward to working with you in the future.

MISSOURI HIKE PRESENTATION

Submitted by Donna Goede, PGG, Eastern Missouri HIKE Coordinator

 
On Tuesday evening, June 15, 2010, a HIKE presentation was made to five year-old Kelsey Gray and her parents at the Mizpah-Mt. Moriah Masonic Temple in Florissant, Missouri.  Kelsey was accompanied by her parents, her younger sister and older brother. Past Grand Guardian, Jan Lynch, welcomed everyone after being introduced by the Master of the Lodge. She then introduced Eastern HIKE Coordinator, Donna Goede. Mom Donna explained about HIKE, how the money was raised and then introduced the Daughters present.  The members of the HIKE committee that were present were:  Caitlyn Washington, Bethel #43; Brooklyn Childs, Bethel #12; Jordan Hood, Bethel #43. Also present was Kelly Weber, Bethel #44, Past SLALOC President, and Grand Bethel Junior Princess, Ashley Ray.  Associate Grand Guardian Butch Carpenter and Past Associate Supreme Guardian Dr. Albert Howe, a member of the HIKE Board, also attended the presentation.  The check was presented allowing the family to get hearing aids for Kelsey. A Missouri HIKE charity pin was also given to the little girl. 

The presentation was made just before Mizpah-Mt. Moriah's Lodge meeting and as a part of a Lodge dinner. Everyone present enjoyed the Lodge's hospitality and a great Fish Fry Dinner.   

The Gray's were very appreciative and explained a bit about their daughter's medical condition to the girls. They promised to send pictures of the mold making process for the new hearing aids and when Kelsey got to wear her hearing aids for the first time. 

THANK YOU FROM NEW JERSEY

Thank You from Gavin

THANK YOU FROM OHIO

Submitted by Amy Conlee mother of Emma

8/26/2009

 Job’s Daughters, 

Hi, my name is Emma Conlee and I’m 11 years old.  I am writing to you to tell you about myself and to thank you for the money for my new hearing aids. 

I’m in fifth grade.  My school is Whiteford Elementary.  Last year I was in student council.  I play soccer, volleyball and basketball this winter.  I play softball in the summer.  I like all my teachers.  My favorite subjects are gym and writing.  I have 2 sisters and one brother.  My sisters are Sarah, 20, and Chloe, 9.  My brother Drew is 16.  I have 2 dogs and 1 cat.  My dog’s names are Charlie and Zoie.  My cat’s name is Jack.  I also have a pet rat named Annabelle.  I wanted to thank you so much for the money.  I needed it for new hearing aids.  My new hearing aids work really good and are really cool. They’re water resistant. They are dark blue, but you can see through them and see the working parts.  The mold that goes in my ears is swirled blue and white, my school colors!  My new hearing aids work a lot better than my old ones.  Again thank you so much.  Without your help my family couldn’t have afforded them!

 Sincerely,

Emma Conlee

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.