Can anyone help this family?

[Guest guest]

I have permission to pass this on here. I recall there is a way to get funding

for the hearing aids- but don't recall details. I have the parent's email below

however you can also answer here too. Thanks! ~

from GrandAbbie@...

to help@...

date Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 7:28 AM

subject any help?

hide details Sep 19 (1 day ago)

I am going to attempt to be brief.

I am a mother of surprise twins, who were born prematurely in 1985.

One with hypo plastic Optic nerve of her right eye and is legally Blind, and

hearing Impairment in both ears.

She is now 25 years old and in need of hearing aids, that allow her to use her

amplified stethoscope, for her work in the nursing field, and to further her

education.

Now a little history, she failed her hearing test at 1 month old when she was

being released from the hospital.

So we have known and monitored her hearing all her life.

She has never used either of her disabilities as a reason to NOT live her life

or excel in Education or desire to be a Nurse.

She has never had a speech impediment, her annunciation of words has always been

great, she learned to read lips, and take visual cues from people. Doctors have

always commented about that.

Learning good communication skills was very important to me as her Mother I have

taken ASL and taught my girls the basics so they both would be comfortable using

their hands/ body language to communicate as well.

( this skill has come in handy at times when speaking was not possible)

The word " Can't " has never been allowed in my home raising them...

You try, you modify, find a way to make it work... when all else fails ask for

help. Sometimes it takes a fresh point of view or an extra pair of hands!

My daughter is now married working as a GNA/CNA since High school ( she had

her CNA License as a high school graduate at 17)and went to community college

to advance her education in the medical field, she is currently taking classes

through her Job to advance.

With the expenses they have with home ownership( Purchased at 19), vehicle

loans, and debt she is concerned about her finances as the doctor told her

hearing Aids can run 3000.00.

At 25 years old she also is concerned with her Image, self image and acceptance

that her hearing needs help.

This Does not come easy to a 25 year old who works with Geriatric patients who

wear hearing aids, and she sees so many bulky very visible type, that would not

be usable with a stethoscope, she is afraid she will not be able to do her job

or advance if she cannot pass testing due to her not hearing heart or lung

sounds, using a manual stethoscope.

Is there anything that can be done to assist her?

Any insight or information would be greatly appreciated.

Are there Grants out there for people who are doing their best to prove people

with these disabilities can and do well in life, even when insurance companies

do not pay for any care for the hearing impaired.

Her whole life, I as her mother could not understand why there is no coverage or

minimal coverage under insurance.

When I have taken her to an Ear nose and throat specialist who were covered,

and found issues with hearing impairment, the Audiologist was never covered, and

nothing else was covered by insurance.

Now she as an adult 25 years later that has never changed? Why?

Can you Help me with advice or information on grants for her to get hearing

aids?

Thank you in advance for your time.

Connie

GrandAbbie@...

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