Now that I am in FL - I will add to this same stream. I am VERY busy with educating this population about hearing loss. I thought I could retire and enjoy my life down here once I moved here 10 months ago but that was not the case. We live in one of the 11 Del Webb Elderly communities called Sun City Centers where you qualify to live if you are 55 and older. Almost everyone here has some degree of hearing loss and almost everyone denies it in one form or another. It is astounding.
We have a HLAA Chapter here and very few of the 44,000 people attend the meetings. Only those who are in trouble will come out of curiosity to find answers to their questions about their instruments and hearing loss. Questions about spouses not paying attention or helping with their hearing loss or even acknowledging the loss playing in the anguish that seems to permeate the couples and individuals around this non-incorporated township.
I am learning as I become involved and am a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Ambassador program and work with the Mens Club, various other Clubs in SCC as well as the HOA where we live. I represent HLAA and constantly speak about it and hand out promo for the chapter and my business card. It is facinating that I don't need to say much anywhere and I received stories from everyone I meet.
I have begun to have speaking engagements now for groups wondering who we are and what they need to do to help them hear well. I have a PP and handouts for our Chapter. Dr Juliette Sterkens is here today to speak about hearing loss, hearing aids and Hearing Loops. We have only 15 loops in SCC but I have said we need more.
Our long term goal in SCC for construction since we are almost 50 years old is to build more building and because I have spoken up about being the most looped town in America, they have included looping in all of the new buildings for the future.
Speaking up - stepping up to the plate makes a difference. Listening and validating what they are saying also makes a difference. We also have a large population of Veterans. I will be addressing them as well after introducing them to the First Free Year with joining our HLAA organization. I will be speaking to them on the horizon.
Funding has been coming out of my own pocketbook but as the value has begun to be shown to the community - they are seeing the benefit and beginning to offer stipends and sponsorships to our Chapter that will help us in the long run. I have a group of people who have been helping me along the way as they also learn about what HLAA can do for them as well as for our community.
Its exciting and interesting to see what this community can do...but it will be a slow process. One step at a time. That's all for now.
BTW...the doll is a great start - we should encourage other manufacturers to offer all of the disabilities as well. ANYTHING is better than nothing.
Eloise in Sun City Center, FL

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