Miss-Delectable
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Mother wants state support for deaf services - 49abcnews.com
Allison Emerson is the mother of a little girl named Raegan, who is deaf.
“Our daughter was born with a profound hearing loss, meaning she did not respond with hearing aids,” she explained Friday at the Statehouse.
When Emerson discovered her daughter couldn’t hear, she had a tough time getting connected with available resources.
“I had a lot of frustration, after Raegan was identified with hearing loss, getting services that were appropriate for deaf children,” Emerson said.
Now Emerson is hoping to convince the state to fund a program called "Sound Start" that would help parents of deaf children get connected with the resources and information they need.
Today she testified in front of a legislative committee about that need.
Dr. Bob Maile is the Superintendent for the School for the Deaf in Olathe.
He believes "Sound Start" would make a huge difference in the lives of deaf children and their families.
“We're pleased we're able to introduce it to the legislature. It's been a long time in planning and it's time to get it off the ground and get it moving,” Maile said.
The committee was receptive to the request, but there's still a long and uncertain process ahead.
“Everyone agrees the need and resources are there are that this would be a good thing to happen, so the only question now is, where is the money?” Maile added.
Today Emerson's daughter Raegan is in 1st grade, and doing well.
A cochlear implant helps her hear.
“She hears differently but she can hear very well and in the classroom with very little support she can do very well,” Emerson said.
Even though her family has already made it through these challenges, Emerson supports "Sound Start" to help other families get through the maze her family had to navigate alone.
Allison Emerson is the mother of a little girl named Raegan, who is deaf.
“Our daughter was born with a profound hearing loss, meaning she did not respond with hearing aids,” she explained Friday at the Statehouse.
When Emerson discovered her daughter couldn’t hear, she had a tough time getting connected with available resources.
“I had a lot of frustration, after Raegan was identified with hearing loss, getting services that were appropriate for deaf children,” Emerson said.
Now Emerson is hoping to convince the state to fund a program called "Sound Start" that would help parents of deaf children get connected with the resources and information they need.
Today she testified in front of a legislative committee about that need.
Dr. Bob Maile is the Superintendent for the School for the Deaf in Olathe.
He believes "Sound Start" would make a huge difference in the lives of deaf children and their families.
“We're pleased we're able to introduce it to the legislature. It's been a long time in planning and it's time to get it off the ground and get it moving,” Maile said.
The committee was receptive to the request, but there's still a long and uncertain process ahead.
“Everyone agrees the need and resources are there are that this would be a good thing to happen, so the only question now is, where is the money?” Maile added.
Today Emerson's daughter Raegan is in 1st grade, and doing well.
A cochlear implant helps her hear.
“She hears differently but she can hear very well and in the classroom with very little support she can do very well,” Emerson said.
Even though her family has already made it through these challenges, Emerson supports "Sound Start" to help other families get through the maze her family had to navigate alone.