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As readers of this blog and my book "Shouting Won't Help" know, I feel strongly that getting to know others with hearing loss is one of the most effective ways of coming to terms with it. This can be done in person, but it can also be done through virtual organizations, joining or supporting groups that promote the interests of people with hearing loss.
Earlier this summer I wrote about the annual meeting of the Hearing Loss Association of America. As I said then, this is a large, cheerful assembly of people with hearing loss, their families and friends, and experts from all across the country. It's fun, it's informative, and you'll go home with a new awareness of how many people out there have hearing loss. But you have to wait till next June to do that.
Meanwhile, if there's a local chapter of HLAA or ALDA (Association of Late Deafened Adults) in your area, find out when they meet, and give it a try. I always think of September as the beginning of the year -- back to school, etc -- and like many people I use it as a time to start new things.
I have information on two events that I want to share. You can read more about them on my website, katherinebouton.com, or you can click to the links here.
One is the annual Walk4Hearing, a major fundraising endeavor by local HLAA chapters across the country. It's a great event with people of all ages and all kinds of hearing. There are events for kids, and it's a great way to spend a nice fall day. This years Walk is on September 29th. You can find information about the Walk for Hearing by clicking on the link. I'll put some additional information on my web site.
The other is a virtual connection. Filmmaker Lindsey Dryden is trying to raise funds to release her film "Lost and Sound" independently. I saw it earlier this year at a screening at Lincoln Center and it's a beautiful, moving film about music and hearing loss. Nancy Williams wrote about it on her blog Grand Piano Passion. You can read about the film by clicking on Grand Piano Passion. And you can read about Lindsey Dryden's creative fundraising efforts on katherinebouton.com.
