Success!

The Walk4Hearing today was a success! We enjoyed walking with family and friends and as a team we were able to raise $1245 for the Hearing Loss Association of America. We want to thank our family and friends that were able to walk with us today. We are so thankful for your support.

We were happy that several families in the area whose children are also affected with hearing loss were able to walk with us today. We made t-shirts for our team, "Bionic Babies," and our theme was "Our future's so bright, we've gotta wear shades!" All of the babies were certainly popular around the walk registration area.

We're looking forward to Walk4Hearing 2009!

One Year?

It's hard to believe that one year ago today we were sitting at Nationwide Children's Hospital anxiously awaiting the completion of Drew's cochlear implant surgery. It was a very long and overwhelming day, but it was the beginning of the most wonderful journey. I don't think that Drew's Dad or I could have written a more perfect script for the year, and we are so thankful for where we find ourselves on June 6, 2008.

To celebrate, we will be participating in the HLAA's Walk4Hearing in Columbus tomorrow. We're going to be gathered with family and friends, walking in support of a great cause, thankful for the gift we have been given.

If you would like to support us in the walk, please make a donation on our team page. To date, we have raised $1220 ($1045 online, plus cash donations we will turn in tomorrow)! We would like to thank everyone for their donations and support of not only a wonderful organization, but of Drew.

Walk4Hearing Kick Off Lunch

We attended the Hearing Loss Association of America's kick-off luncheon for the First Annual Walk4Hearing in Columbus today. We all had a wonderful time. We met so many individuals affected by hearing loss and enjoyed talking with them about their experiences. We met the 400th person implanted with a cochlear implant. We even met the national President of HLAA, Anne Pope. Everyone enjoyed meeting Drew. He even said "hi" a few times, and everyone heard him scream "more" during Anne Pope's speech, as he wanted more applesauce!

We would like to remind you about the Walk4Hearing and Team Turn On My Ears! We are really excited about our team and would like for you to join us! You can make a monetary donation, but we would really like to have a lot of people participate in the walk with us. Even if you can only walk a few steps, join us. Every dollar raised helps a great organization. Please support HLAA, but also support the coolest boy we know, Drew!

HLAA Walk4Hearing 2008

The Walk4Hearing is a nationally coordinated effort sponsored by the Hearing Loss Association of America. The HLAA is the nation’s foremost consumer organization representing people with hearing loss. HLAA impacts accessibility, public policy, research, public awareness, and service delivery related to hearing loss on a national and global level. The HLAA mission is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy, and support. The Walk4Hearing is the HLAA's primary way of generating funds and raising awareness about hearing loss and related issues.

We learned of the Walk4Hearing through the Ohio Chapter of AG Bell. Our chapter is helping to sponsor the walk and will be volunteering on walk day. In addition, many members of the Ohio Chapter of AG Bell will be participating in the walk, including Drew! There is a kick-off luncheon at Dave and Busters on Saturday April 12 at 11:30 am. There will be a brief speech made at the luncheon about AG Bell by...ME! I'm honored that I was asked to represent the Ohio Chapter of AG Bell at this event and am excited to help kick off a wonderful event!

The 5K walk in Columbus, Ohio will take place on Saturday, June 7th at 10:00 am. It will be held at Beekman Park on the Ohio State University campus. We have created a team for the walk called Turn On My Ears! Please join our team! You can make a financial contribution, if you would like, or you can walk with us as part of team Turn On My Ears! It is a great way to raise awareness about hearing loss. Drew hopes to see you there!