Back in the fall of 2003, Leeanne Seaver from Hands & Voices asked me if I would be willing to spearhead the Illinois chapter of Hands & Voices. On March 17, 2004, we became a formal chapter.
Here’s what we’ve done:
Hosted a workshop for parents and children at Northern Illinois University
Hosted Parent Connection meetings–giving parents an opportunity to connect with one another, ask questions and find support.
Planted the idea of having a parent manual available to parents of newly-diagnosed babies and infants–the state produced one manual and Choices for Parents produced another.
Advocated at IEP meetings that resulted in positive outcomes.
Hosted a Kickball Day for Kids.
Contributed regularly to the Hands & Voices Communicator, producing articles such as:
Testing for Connexin 26: One Family’s Story
Twists and Turns, Journeys with Implants
Hearing Moments: Life with Auditory Neuropathy
Sound and Fury Update, A Family Comes Together Again
Calling Our Bluff, Communication Strategies in Social Situations
Produced an annual retreat for moms and caregivers: Mom’s Night Inn
Run a Yahoo Group for parents of deaf and hard of hearing children: IL Hands & Voices Listserv
Presented at the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention conference, Illinois Teachers for Deaf and Hard of Hearing conference, Deaf Way Illinois, Illinois Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commission workshop, hospitals, parent groups and schools.
We have a new executive board that will take Illinois Hands & Voices to new heights:
Beth Donofrio, Chairperson
Cathy Guidish, Vice-Chairperson
Betsy Abou Ezzi, Secretary
New board members: Karen Aguilar, Choices for Parents, Carrie Balian and Rama Collazo.
I plan to remain on board and continue my involvement with Illinois Hands & Voices and Hands & Voices. We are working to bring the Guide By Your Side program to Illinois, which will pair a seasoned parent with a parent of a newly-diagnosed deaf or hard of hearing baby/child.
Here’s to new paths ahead!
Karen Putz
Filed under: Events
