the seaver vision award goes to…. i · 2015-11-11 · 10 page 10 illinois ears in the sp tlight...
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E.A.R.S = Events And Resources Statewide
November 2015
Volume 8, Issue 2
Special points of interest:
FREE events...page 2, 3, 5, 16
Guide Promotions...page 11
FREE calls for all...page 4, 5, 16 & 17
FREE conferences...page 3
ASL classes...page 6
LEND Study….page 7
Thirty Million Words...page 8
Taking the Stage….page 10
Illinois Guide By Your Side (GBYS)
Carrie Balian, Program Coordinator
Phone: (866) 655-4588
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.ilhandsandvoices.org/GBYS
Illinois Hands & Voices (H&V)
Chairperson Contact:
Andrea Marwah
Phone: (877) 350-4556
Email:
Web: www.ilhandsandvoices.org
The Seaver Vision Award Goes To….
I n September of this year, I traveled with Melissa Joyce (IL Hands & Voices,
Guide By Your Side Parent Guide) and Andrea Marwah (President of IL Hands
& Voices), to New Braunfels, Texas to attend the Hands & Voices Leadership Con-
ference. It was there that Andrea Marwah was presented with the 2015 Seaver
Vision Award! This award is presented to a person who is an effective leader,
has a vision for their organization, is involved in advocacy and unbiased parent
support, displays effective parent involvement and collaborates well within their
organization. Andrea fits these requirements in eve-
ry sense of the word. Carrie Balian (IL Hands & Voic-
es, Guide By Your Side Coordinator) composed a
beautifully written letter on behalf of the board of
directors sharing how Andrea is a peer who has
shown extraordinary commitment to families who
have children who are deaf or hard of hearing. A
sample of this commitment that was shared in the
nomination letter read “Recently she begun to create
a program (LEAVEITS) for providers to use with fam-
ilies to help them share advocacy terms and tips in
an easy to learn and bite sized approach. It’s thinking and following through on
ideas like that which shows Andrea’s dedication to meeting others where they are
at and guiding them through the journey.” Andrea graciously accepted this
award and it was the first time ever that she was rendered speechless. Congrat-
ulations, Andrea, you deserve it!
Written by Jill Kelly, IL Hands & Voices Board member
Do you know about our Family and Education Outreach (FEO) Days? These are
FREE and FUN events held throughout the state of Illinois for families who have
children with hearing loss. One of our most recent events
was held on at Meineke Park in Schaumburg. Families got
together to paint pumpkins, play games, eat snacks, and
talk with other families who also have children with hearing
loss. These events are great for networking with other fami-
lies and are also a great way to learn about resources,
equipment, tips/tricks, and so
much more! Plus, it’s nice to talk
with other families who have been through similar ex-
periences. Our next event will be held at Child’s Voice
in Wood Dale on November 21 from 10am-noon and
will feature local children’s author and Deaf/HH teacher
Lori Degman. Bring your family and join us for some
storytelling and crafts!
Families, Fun and More!
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Illinois EARS
This newsletter was produced by Illinois Hands & Voices, Guide By
Your Side in collaboration with:
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Illinois EARS
The Hands and Voices Leadership Conference 2015 was held in New Braunfels, Texas
September 18th-20th and the theme Uniquely Created: Strongly United was beauti-
fully carried out.
The multiple breakout sessions and wonderful plenary speeches included topics such
as Beyond Expanded Core: Targeting Social and Emotional Needs of D/HH Children,
Understanding ADA Policy Guidelines, and Implications of Media-Mentality on Sociali-
zation of D/HH Children. Janet DesGeorges did a wonderful presentation on “The Acci-
dental Leader: Reflections on an Ordinary Person’s Journey into Leadership” which
stirred up many ideas that carried over into other presentations and helped further con-
versation.
At the end of the day there wasn’t a shortage of things to do in the nearby Texas town of Gruene. Activities included
shopping and viewing art in historic downtown, visiting a vineyard or brewery. The beautiful T Bar M Resort also of-
fered Line Dancing lessons, nature trails, and even a Texas Hold ‘Em Poker Tournament. The Texas Hands and Voic-
es team did a wonderful job of welcoming everyone and putting on an excellent conference. It was truly amazing to
see so many people from all over the country, and even different parts of the world, all coming together and working
for the same cause. For more information on Hands and Voices National Conferences, check out the website hand-
sandvoices.org. Next year’s conference will be a very special 20 year celebration of Hands and Voices and will take
place in Estes Park, Colorado September 16-18, 2016. Hope to see you there!
Ta k i n g t h e S t a g e b y S t o r m !
In the Sp tlightIn the Sp tlight
During the weekend of October 15-17th, Buffalo Grove High School put on a very moving production called “The
Taste of Sunrise”. It is a story told through both American Sign Language and spoken English. Set in the roaring
twenties, the story tells of the night Tuc, the beloved leading character loses his hearing. The audience follows his
story through his experiences at the School for the Deaf and his return to his hometown.
My son, Max, had been a part of the Centerlight Theater with the International Center on Deaf-
ness and the Arts (ICODA) for several years. It was thanks to Christine Erickson, managing
director, that he was asked to audition and ultimately chosen to play the part of Tuc. Although
he is in 8th grade and attends a Northbrook school, the entire BGHS production staff and cast
welcomed Max as one of their own. While Max has always had school
friends, he has had experiences like so many children with hearing loss in
a mainstream setting. His friends would sometimes forget that he has a
hearing loss. He would struggle to follow group conversations. His friends
didn’t always want to repeat what was said when Max asked for a repeti-
tion. He felt like he didn’t quite belong.
At the high school, however, the students in the cast were curious, open,
and accepting. The director, Beth Wells, was patient and understanding.
Where he was once sometimes described at school as “immature” and somewhat “different”,
he now had friends who accepted him as is. His immaturity was now viewed as fun-loving.
His difference was now viewed as something to learn about and interesting. In the show’s
program, the director wrote, “The Taste of Sunrise is a timeless story of loss and longing, and
ultimately healing.” The experience was exactly that for Max and we are all eternally grateful.
Do you or your child
have something to
share? A new
adventure or an
accomplishment? They
can be a part of our
next newsletter!
Stories can be
submitted to
GBYS@choicesfor
parents.org.
Leadership Conference 2015- Uniquely Created:
Strongly United
Max with his “voice” -
Domingo
Max and the female
lead Carly (Maize)
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Looking for a great way to help IL Hands & Voices?
No time to run to the store for cards?
No time to do a scrapbook of your kids?
Looking for a unique iPhone cover?
Illinois Hands & Voices has a solution: SendOutCards! Not only do we use this ser-
vice for our non-profit organization, we are offering it to our members and fami-
lies. For every subscription, IL Hands & Voices receives a percentage.
With SendOutCards, you can create customized greeting cards that can also include
gift cards, books and gifts as well. The company prints and sends out the cards
through US mail. You can upload your handwriting font and signature too!
SendOutCards can also help you create:
www.sendoutcards.com/illinoishandsandvoices
Check it
out!
Illinois Hands & Voices and
Guide By Your Side participate
in various fundraisers to sup-
port and enhance these organi
-
-zations. If you are interested in making a tax de-
ductible donation contact Andrea Marwah at (877)
350-4556 or email her at [email protected].
Gift Cards for sale!
Do you buy gift cards? Why not buy gift cards through us and
allow us to earn a percentage from your purchase? Here is
how it works:
1. Go to www.shopwithscrip.com and set up a family ac-
count.
2. Enter ED2CCL6419145 so that your purchase will come
back to IL Hands & Voices Guide By Your Side.
3. Select and pay for your gift cards using presto pay.
4. We finalize all orders the 22nd of the month.
5. You will receive your order in the mail approx. 5-7 days
after we finalize the orders.
6. We receive the donation from your purchase directly
from Shop With Scrip!
Lots of gift card choices - check them out at
www.shopwithscrip.com. There are even reloadable and
Scrip Now cards which allow you to print the gift certificate
out from your home printer! Questions? Contact Carrie
866.655.4588 or email her at [email protected].
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Custom photo mugs
iPhone and iPad covers
Scrap book and photo books
Posters
Canvas prints
Metal prints
Postcards
And much, much more
Hands & Voices Headquarters implemented a lev-
eled Recognition Program for all Guide By Your Side
(GBYS) programs. This program ensures that all
GBYS programs provide the same basic
training which is labeled the Guide
Level. There are two addi-
tional levels, Lead & Senior,
that guides can achieve based on
completing basic competency tasks
and additional
activity points.
Don’t hesitate to congratulate the
following team members on their re-
cent promotions the next time you speak with
them.
Achieving the Lead Level:
Jennifer Ehlers
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Stay up to date by becoming a “fan” of
Illinois Guide By Your Side and Illinois Hands & Voices
Now Hiring!
Child’s Voice is hiring! Seeking a part-time social
worker. For full details on the position and/or to ap-
ply, please visit: https://www.childsvoice.org/live/
index.php?mode=jobs.
You can always find the latest news and events at
www.childsvoice.org.
For our Blog,
www.childsvoice.org/live/blog
Or our calendar of events:
www.childsvoice.org/live/
events
Upcoming Child’s Voice events…
Walk4Hearing: Sunday, September 27, 2015
Autumn Gala: Saturday, November 7, 2015
Winter Festival: Friday, December 18, 2015
Family Reunion: Saturday, April 16, 2016
Recognition Ceremony: Thursday, May 19, 2016
Golf Tournament: Monday, June 6, 2016
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Illinois EARS
Save the Dates:
Family Event - November 21….page 2
Statewide FREE conferences….page 3
Spanish “calls for all”….page 4
Unilateral hearing loss “call for all” - Nov. 23….page 5
Sign Language Classes….page 6
EHDI conference - March 12-15...page 9
Chicago Park District family events….page 9
Child’s Voice Gala - November 7...page 9 & 14
Illinois Deaf Campers - November 21...page 15
The day of the Three Wise Kings - Jan. 9….page 20
Illinois Hands & Voices, Guide By Your Side does not support or endorse any specific organization, communication or amplifica tion choice.
The information in this newsletter is to simply share with families and professionals the resources and events available to them.
Guide By Your Side is the result of a collabora-tive effort between the following: IL Hands & Voices, IL Early Hearing Detection & Interven-
tion (EHDI) and CHOICES for Parents.
TIPS “TO GO”
Take a picture of your child’s amplification devices (hearing aid/
cochlear implant/baha) and keep the picture on your phone so if you
are out and lose a piece or if it falls off you have something to show
others so they know what to look for.
Don’t forget to share updates on what you see at home with those
that work with your child. Many times we find that our children
behave differently at home then with the professional. Sharing the
positive experiences and struggles with others will allow you to
celebrate as well as troubleshoot the difficult times.
“AHA” Moments Shared by Parents &