Spring 2013 - BC Family Hearing Resource Society

Communication . . . is a family affair
Reaching Out
A Newsletter from the BC FAMILY HEARING RESOURCE CENTRE
for families with deaf and hard of hearing children, service
providers, and others involved with hearing loss
Spring 2013
Family Feature
The Napiers Never Give Up!
I think the phrase that sums up our
family is "never give up on your
dreams and they will eventually come
true!" We always wanted a big family
but we had to work hard to achieve that
goal. It was worth every moment and
more! I believe everything happens for a
reason; our experiences of immigration
and infertility led us on our journey
toward meeting Mckai. continued on page 2
The Napier Family
l to r: McKai, John, Jackson, Juliet and Cameron
McKai started outreach services with
BCFHRC as a baby living with his
foster family. The Napiers chose to
continue services locally when he
came home to his forever family.
Please join us as Juliet Napier shares
her story of how her family evolved
into a group of five!
Elks & Royal
Purple
Walkathon
May 26th!
15220 - 92nd Ave., Surrey, BC V3R 2T8 PH: 604-584-2827 TF: 1-877-584-2827 TTY: 604-584-9108
FAX: 604-584-2800 [email protected] www.bcfamilyhearing.com
2
Our family is unique because our
three boys came to us in three different
ways. Our first son was conceived naturally
which was a fluke after a year of trying to
get pregnant. We were told by the doctor
that we had a one per cent chance of
success at that time. Our second son was
conceived through in vitro fertilization (IVF)
at a fertility clinic in Vancouver. He was the
result of our fourth and final attempt at IVF
and he was a frozen embryo in the freezer
for one year! The specialist told us we had a
30-40% chance of success at that time.
Our third son was
adopted
through
the
Ministry of Children and
Family Development. We
had been trying to adopt
for about 5 years; 3 years
with a private agency
followed by 2 years with
the ministry. We were
told by our social worker
that we had no chance of
adopting a child who was
0 - 3 years old with
minimal special needs. Then we heard about
Mckai who was 2 years old and the rest is
history!
We were chosen by his social worker
and foster Mom from 150 families on the
waitlist in B.C. They wanted a family in the
lower mainland with access to hearing
supports and services and a willingness to
learn sign language. They wanted a family
with older brothers and a dog. They wanted
a family who was keen to maintain an open
relationship with the foster family and semiopenness with the birth Mom. We fit the bill
on all counts; it was a perfect match all
around!
One of our cousins is profoundly Deaf
so the prospect of dealing with hearing loss
was not overwhelming to us. At first we heard
that he had a moderate to severe hearing
loss, so when we found out it was a mild to
moderate loss we were pleasantly surprised.
We later found out it was officially called a
bilateral, sensorineural mild to moderate
hearing loss. We knew there would be
challenges but we were prepared to face
them as a family. We all started watching
sign language DVDs two months before we
met Mckai.
Three months later we completed the
visits and we brought Mckai home. We were
quickly connected with BC Family Hearing
Centre and with our audiologist in North
Delta. We found the staff at both places to
be very helpful and supportive. The
technical side of dealing with hearing aids,
batteries and the FM system was a big
learning curve for us but we took it one step
at a time. Meanwhile, we were dealing with
the transition stage of adopting a toddler
who had a long, secure attachment with his
foster family. We also had the common
challenge of convincing Mckai to wear his
hearing aids consistently. When he pulled
them off in a temper tantrum and threw
them across the room we just waited until
he calmed down and put them straight back
on without any fuss. We tried different
strategies to deal with Mckai's challenging
behaviours and every day was a new day.
After six months we felt like we were over
the worst stage and after one year, we
couldn't remember or imagine life without
him! His big brothers were extremely patient
and understanding during this whole
process and they are wonderful role models
to their little brother.
Mckai is truly a little bundle of joy.
We always say, what he lacks in stature he
more than makes up for in personality! He's
small for his age because he was born six
weeks premature. However, he's very
strong-willed and determined just like our
other boys so he fits right in to our family.
He loves attending pre-school at PALs with
his teachers and friends. He wishes he
could go to school every day like his big
brothers. His favourite part of the day is
outside time when he plays in the sand box,
rides bikes and plays soccer. He likes the at
home sessions with his hearing therapist,
especially the games and stories they share.
He also enjoys visiting his audiologist where
he is very popular with all the staff. When
he cannot wear his hearing aids, we have to
be careful to be even more aware of his
hearing loss, especially when he's around
BC Family Hearing Resource Centre-Reaching Out–Spring 2013
3
water. Those are the times I find that
signing is particularly useful.
Mckai will start Kindergarten in
September 2014. He will attend Pinewood
Elementary School as they offer the hearing
resource program for Delta School District.
When I heard this program was at a school
that is a five minute drive from our house, I
knew that it was fate! We've visited the
school twice recently; for Ready, Set
Learn and for a tour with the
hearing resource teacher. We plan
to make more visits over the next
year to ease the transition from a
very small class/school to a
medium size class/school. My
older sons attend a very large
school but I think that smaller,
community schools are preferable,
especially for students with special
needs.
I really enjoy attending PALS and
getting to know the teachers and other
parents. It's always good to talk to people in
a similar situation to you and to share your
experiences. Before we came to BCFHRC, we
didn’t know any kids with a hearing loss, so
it’s been helpful to get advice from other
families about taking care of hearing aids,
audiology visits and even toilet training! For
this reason, I also attend the monthly
meetings at BC Hands and Voices. These
parents are very knowledgeable and
experienced about all aspects of hearing
loss. I've taken two terms of American Sign
Language Classes through Family and
Community Services. I feel like my signing is
finally improving to the point where I can
communicate ideas but I'm not at a
conversational level yet. Mckai is also
using signs more which encourages
me to persevere. He prefers to sign
at school rather than at home but
he's recently started doing both.
We feel that he will always be
part of the deaf community and
he should be proud of his second
language, just like my older boys
are proud of being fluent in
French. He will eventually attend
the same high school as his brothers,
which is in our neighbourhood. As
McKai is getting older, he’s starting to take
more ownership of his hearing aids. He asks
to wear them in the morning because he has
learned the benefit of the aids. He is also
aware of when his batteries are dead and
likes to get involved in their night-time
maintenance routine. We know that we gave
him the best start possible at BCFHRC and
we feel confident in all the choices we've
made for our son's education.
Juliet shares information on family activities available in the community
1) Surrey Children’s Festival (Bear Creek Park)
www.surrey.ca/childrenfestival/7664.aspx
May 23rd to 25th, 2013
Thursday and Friday: 9:00am to 2:30pm
Saturday: 10:30am to 7:30pm
Surrey Arts Centre and Bear Creek Park
13750 - 88 Avenue (King George Blvd/88 Ave).
Carpool and use public transit are encouraged.
See their website for schedule details.
2) Kids Bowl Free www.kidsbowlfree.com
(Dell Lanes, Surrey and Scottsdale Lanes, Delta)
Eligible children can register for 2 free games a
day, all summer long.
This program, designed by bowling centers
across the country, provides a safe, secure, and
fun way for kids to spend time the summer.
Check the website for participating centres in
your community.
3) KIDSWORLD www.Kidsworldprogram.com
(Greater Vancouver)
July 1st – August 31st,
and “bonus” weekend days in September.
KIDSWORLD is a unique program designed for
families with children between the ages of 4–15.
The program offers an opportunity for children,
accompanied by a parent/guardian, to explore
their community together all summer long while
learning along the way.
KIDSWORLD features over 65 days of fun,
adventure and highly educational events. With a
$45.00 membership, the entire summer of
events and activities is FREE for both the child
AND one (1) accompanying parent/guardian.
Each child must be registered individually; there
is no family membership.
BC Family Hearing Resource Centre-Reaching Out–Spring 2013
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You and Your Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child
Hurray for Headgear!
by Karen Jackson, ECE Sp. Needs
Summer is just around the corner! That means our kids are going to be running around outside with their
hearing devices and we need to be ready!
After much research, I recently found some headgear for my
son Cory that keeps his Cochlear Implants (CIs) in place during
active sports and play. It was hard to find headgear that wasn’t
too bulky and didn’t completely cover his CIs, but I finally
found some on a soccer webpage. This headgear is designed to
protect soccer players from concussions and impact, but it
turns out it’s also great for keeping CIs from falling off! This
headgear is ultra light, water resistant, and doesn’t make Cory
feel “hot or sweaty.” It’s even thin enough to fit inside his
baseball helmet so his CIs don’t fall off while sliding his helmet on. You can find them at:
http://www.braceshop.com/productcart/pc/DonJoy-Hat-Trick-Headguard-537p592.htm
I got mine directly from the DonJoy company after consulting with them several times about specific
needs, and there’s a location in Vancouver. If you are interested in getting one, please make sure you let
them know that Karen Jackson referred you.
__________________________________________________
Five Minute Language Activity
by Zara Gauthier, RSLP
An ‘Egg-cellent’ way to get excited about sounds!
Quick! Grab some plastic Easter eggs from the stores before they disappear. They make
for an excellent, year round, listening activity.
Instructions:
Gather up items to hide inside the eggs. Place the eggs in a bag or basket and then pull
one from the bag at a time. Cue your child to listen and then shake the egg. If there is
something in the egg show your child that you are excited to hear it (this teaches them to
be excited about sounds) if there is no sound pull a disappointed face. Shake the egg
again and then say/sign “open” as you open the egg. Show them the toy inside or say/sign “empty.”
Tips & Variations:
Buy two sets of eggs so you have two of each
Remember to model language that matches
colour. Hide a toy in one but not the other.
your child’s needs. Simple words such as
This helps your child to associate your
“Listen”, “Shake. Shake”, “Open!”, “What’s
reaction to the sound rather than the colour.
inside?”, “It’s a………” or more complex ideas
such as colour, size, shaking fast or slow.
At its most basic level this activity can help
reinforce the “I heard that” response
(Detection)
To increase the challenge hide objects that
make different sounds when shaken. Shake
one and compare it to another. See if your
child notices a difference. (Discrimination)
Different objects will create different sounds:
soft/loud, high/low. Keep a list of the ones
your child can detect and share this with
your interventionist.
Vary the distance you make the sound to see
how your child is listening over distance.
For very young children play this game while
they are in their high chair. Shake the egg
below the table tray and gradually bring it
into view. When you have presented the
sound a few times, open the egg, show them
the toy then return it to the bag.
Older children will enjoy taking turns with
you to shake the eggs and exploring the toy
inside before moving onto a new egg.
Keep the activity fresh by switching out the
toys inside for new ones.
BC Family Hearing Resource Centre-Reaching Out–Spring 2013
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You and Your Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child
Look out Kindergarten – Here They Come!
Another successful PEER (Preschoolers Esteem & Emotional Readiness) program has concluded! Families,
with children entering Kindergarten this fall, participated in monthly evening sessions from October to
March, and/or attended the group programs in late April. The PEER program has
evolved into two groups, with Adapted PEER established last year. This change
was necessary as we found the needs of the children in our programs have
changed since the inception PEER. The objective is the same- to prepare
children with hearing loss and additional needs for Kindergarten. While the
original 3-day program took place at our Centre, the Adapted program ran
simultaneously at the CDBA (Canadian Deafblind Association) site in New
Westminster.
Many thanks to everyone who supported this invaluable program – past families,
their children, and invited guests, for sharing their stories and experiences.
Reaching Out to Community Service Providers
New Faces - New Opportunities!
by Marie-Élise Marcoux, RSLP
With so many new faces at BC Family Hearing Resource Centre,
several mentorship opportunities are being offered to support new staff
in their roles as early interventionists. The latest workshop on
Cochlear Implants (CIs), held early April, was presented by Raegan
Bergstrom, co-ordinator for Cochlear Implant Services at BC Children’s
Hospital.
Our 'New Kids on the Block'
Marianne Bullied, Phebe Ho,
Taucha Gretzinger & Marie-Élise Marcoux
The workshop covered a broad array of topics. We had the
opportunity to review a brief history of cochlear implantation in BC
followed by a look at how CIs have evolved since their early stages as
well as what to expect in the future. This set the stage for a
discussion surrounding the specific structure and function of a CI.
We also learned more about CI testing and how to interpret the
results of a MAPping session. The presentation wrapped up with an overview of the BC
Children’s Hospital Cochlear Implant program and candidacy criteria, as well as what to expect
pre- and post- implantation and current trends in surgical procedures.
Following the presentation, we had hands-on opportunity to familiarize ourselves with
different Cochlear Implants and equipment; assembling and disassembling them, doing
listening checks, even trying them on ourselves. This was a great exercise to becoming more
Raegan Bergstrom,
comfortable and knowledgeable with the equipment, thus allowing us to best support
CI Coordinator,
families and community service providers. Special thanks to Raegan Bergstrom!
Partnerships in Comox
BC Children's
Hospital
Dyan Spear presented the Partnerships Project: Supporting Children Who Are Deaf or Hard of
Hearing in Comox. Part 1 was held over two days (afternoon and evening April 17 and 18th).
Part 2 will be offered over two days on Sept 25 and 26, 2013. A big thank you to the
Courtenay Elks and Ladies of the Royal Purple for the use of their hall and meeting room.
This workshop was a joint venture with community SLP, Pearl Morin and the Comox Valley
Supported Childcare Consultants.
Contact our Centre if you wish to have a Partnerships training workshop in your community!
For more information on the Partnerships Project please check out the provincial website at
http://partnershipsproject.bc.ca/
BC Family Hearing Resource Centre-Reaching Out–Spring 2013
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Great Grads…Where Are They Now?
“Just Keep Swimming”
The Moores were featured in our Winter 2007 Newsletter, where they discussed
their daughter Holly’s extracurricular activities and the considerations needed
to prepare for school. Now Holly is ten and a half years old and attends
Annieville Elementary in North Delta, and her dad, Rick, is the new President of
the BC Family Hearing Board. Read on as Rick shares his family’s experiences
with BCFRHC and updates us on what his family has been up to since we last
heard from them in our 2007 feature. This is the story of how Alanna, Rick and
Holly learned to “just keep swimming” through their challenges.
Alanna, Holly &
“Just keep swimming”, that’s how Rick Moore describes his family’s approach to
Rick Moore in 2007 challenges after his daughter Holly was diagnosed with a bilateral profound hearing
loss. It’s a phrase the family adopted from Finding Nemo, Holly’s favourite Disney film when she was little.
“It’s amazing how many lessons there are in that movie,” Rick reflects, “We all have challenges; there are
going to be challenges, and you don’t know, when you first start, what the obstacles are, or where the help is
going to come from. But you will never have to do it alone, and you may get unexpected help from
unexpected places.”
Rick and Alanna first became concerned about Holly’s hearing when she failed a hearing screening at her
6-month check-up. They visited their doctor several times before a nurse in their Baby Play Group suggested
they visit an audiologist. Before that, they had never heard of an audiologist, and it was after their
appointment that Holly was diagnosed with a bilateral profound hearing loss at 10 months old. Rick
explains, “After the diagnosis, there were feelings of loss, anger, and feeling sorry for ourselves.”
The healing process began from unexpected places: A family friend connected them to a friend who had a
Deaf son. “This boy was 7 years old, and he gave us a picture of the future.” That was a turning
point for the family, “After that day, there was joy, optimism, and hope, and we felt like we had a
direction. We now had a task and we had to dedicate ourselves to that task. We knew what we
wanted to do, but not yet how to get there.”
“From that point until she graduated [from BCFHRC], it was just a matter of doing the
work.” That work included choosing the BCFHRC in 2003. Rick reports that “…of the three
agencies, BC Family was the only one that offered a family-centered approach” and the
flexibility and customization of oral therapy and sign. Holly later got a Cochlear Implant at 18
months; it was switched on May 19th 2004. “It’s amazing how I still remember that date.”
Afterwards, Terry Parson-Tylka, their Teacher for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing at the centre,
helped them take their big goals and break them down into achievable smaller steps. Holly then
got a second cochlear implant in September of 2011.
“We were very optimistic about Holly graduating [from BCFHRC] and starting school.” Terry guided them
through their options as they were choosing schools. Holly attends Annieville Elementary in North Delta
where she has daily Education Assistant support and bi-weekly support from the itinerant teacher for the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing. The itinerant teacher has been a great support and did a presentation with Holly
to inform her teachers and classmates about her hearing loss. The teachers also use an FM system in class
and it is Holly’s responsibility to ensure that the FM is charged and the teachers turn it on. “One of the
things BC Family really taught us was to teach Holly to self-advocate.”
When describing Holly now, Rick says, “Holly is a normal little girl who happens to be profoundly Deaf,
and that’s the way we look at it…when she packs for a sleepover, she packs her pajamas, her toothbrush, a
stuffed animal, and her cochlear implant charger. It’s just a part of her routine.”
As for Rick, he began volunteering on committees and charity events for BCFHCS in 2005. After Holly
graduated in 2007 he became a member of the board and was recently elected President. He’s happy to give
back to the society that gave so much to his family. Rick explains, “The centre helps families help themselves
in a way that they couldn’t do on their own.”
In closing, Rick shares advice that he hopes will help families that are trying to swim through their own
challenges: “Be an advocate for your child. BC Family taught us that. Look to the future, anything is
possible. Meeting the 7 year-old boy taught us that. And dedicate yourself to the outcome. Holly taught us
that.”
BC Family Hearing Resource Centre-Reaching Out–Spring 2013
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Special Feature
BCFHRC Launches New Online Initiative!
By Dyan Spear,
Teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Senior Outreach Consultant
The Learning Place
An excerpt from the introduction video
Dyan Spear, B.A.
Teacher of the Deaf &
Hard of Hearing
Senior Outreach Consultant
Zara Gauthier
B.A. (Hons) RSLP
Registered Speech Language
Pathologist
Senior Outreach Consultant
Carolyn Hawrish
M.Sc., Cert. AVT, LSLS.,
RAUD
Auditory – Verbal Therapist
Outreach Consultant
We hope to better serve and support
families living far from our centre with use of a
web-based site. Where ever you live, as a
parent of a child with a hearing loss, you will
need support and information. At the BC
Family Hearing Resource Centre we are here
to help. We have developed an online learning
platform for you. For the initial launch, we are
offering this service to families living outside of
the lower mainland first. We will then open up
registration to ALL families soon afterwards.
Our knowledgeable and experienced
outreach staff have training as Speech Language Pathologists, Teachers of the
Deaf and Hard of Hearing and an Auditory Verbal Therapist. Our program is
designed to support families in accessing non-biased information and in
working with you in finding choices in communication that is right for your
child.
We will work with you and guide you through this site to personalize
your learning. You may have already received our book My Turn to Learn. We
created this site to supplement this book with video clips, interviews of
parents discussing their experiences, pictures of a child’s first molds being
made, and extended readings of new research in the area of hearing loss.
The videos are of parents like yourself with young children that have a
hearing loss. They will share their experiences with you. The videos contain
parent’s honest reactions to the diagnosis of the hearing loss and the joys of
raising their beautiful child. Mothers and fathers will also show you how to
get started with your child’s hearing equipment and how to keep it on.
Sometimes that’s easier said than done with little ones. These parents will be
some of your greatest supporters. They know from experience what you may
be going through at this time. They will cheer you on. I hope that as you
listen to their stories, you will know that you are
not alone and you will hear their voices assure
you it will all be okay.
Remember, the staff at the BC Family
Hearing Resource Centre are here to help you on
this journey and will work together with your
community based team to help you and your child
learn. Let’s get started!
How do you get set up? Contact your outreach consultant
and she will coordinate your registration to allow access to
the site. A password is required. Once this has been
established, your outreach consultant will guide you through
this learning opportunity.
Thank you to the Open Purse Foundation for initially supporting this project.
BC Family Hearing Resource Centre-Reaching Out–Spring 2013
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Over 25 Years of Making a Difference
In Appreciation of our Supporters
Since our last issue, the following individuals and organizations have continued to
make a difference in the lives of our children and their families by generously
donating to our centre either monetarily or through goods and services.
Elks & Royal Purple Lodges - Campbell’s Soup Label Program
Individuals & Organizations
Sally & James Hurst
Obviar Family
Jackson Family
Lake Cowichan Elks
Lillooet Royal Purple
Emil Ourcharek
J. McGregor (in memory of Bette
Dowding)
Port Coquitlam Royal Purple
Prince Rupert Elks
Prince Rupert Royal Purple
Lohn Foundation
Dr. Joan Ford
Ron Molnar (in memory of Gary Gee)
Dan & Ilona McQuillan
James Hurst
Joan Popovich
Gary Taylor – Northern Landscape
We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia
Elks and Royal Purple
Annual Walkathon 2013
It’s almost here! Mark your
calendars for Sunday, May 26!
Campbell Valley will again be the
setting for this annual ‘funraising’ event! We look forward to
you joining us by walking,
running, rolling through the
peaceful paths of the park. Let’s
see if we can surpass last year’s
totals for attendance and
donations!!
BC Family Hearing Resource Centre-Reaching Out–Spring 2013
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Over 25 Years of Making a Difference
Volunteers Cast a Beautiful Shadow
This is the logo for National Volunteer Week, April 21st to 27th and we couldn’t agree
more. The staff and families of the BC Family Hearing Resource Society recognize and
appreciate the commitment of our wonderful volunteers!
They have helped out everywhere! They’ve helped out in our office, classrooms and
group programs! ALL of our Board of Directors are volunteers! We know we couldn’t do it
without you! We consider ourselves very fortunate to have such a dedicated group of
people. Sincere thanks to all of current volunteers!
Board of Directors
Rick Moore, President
Al Edwards, Vice President
Dr. Graham Bryce, Past President
Agatha Cluff, Treasurer
Dr. Charles Laszlo, Advisor
Barb Gee
Laurie Usher
Ken Mulligan
Sally Hurst
Rosalind Ho
Eleanor M. Scott
Sarah Anne Hrycenko
Melissa Mykle
Administration and
Class/Group Volunteers
Angelica Malagon
Darren Bellamy
Isabel Otoya
Jasmine Flanjak
Joy Gong
Macey-Jane Goetken
Maggie Fan
Sandy Aujla
Tiana Hnatiuk
_______________________________________________
Campbell’s Labels for Education
If you enjoy Campbell’s products, please save the labels!
You can help us out by collecting labels that go towards
products that are used in our programs. For example,
toys, musical instruments, and equipment. The program is
ongoing. The Elks and Royal Purple facilitate this program on our behalf. If you’d like to
participate, simply bring or send your labels to our Centre and we will forward them. For
more information see their website Campbell's Labels For Education.
Many thanks to our staff member, Karen Jackson, and her daughter Carrie-Anne, for
collecting and donating a huge amount of labels. 
BC Family Hearing Resource Centre-Reaching Out–Spring 2013
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Bits & Pieces
It’s a Boy!
The latest addition to the BCFHRS family has arrived! Alden, born one day earlier than
expected on April 26th, weighing 7 lbs 1oz. Congratulations to Alex and Chris! We can’t
wait to meet you, Alden 
______________________________
UBC Education Program Practicum
We’d like to introduce you to Kelsie Grazier. Kelsie joined us
for an Enhanced Practicum with the UBC Bachelor of
Education Degree Program. Kelsie has been accepted to begin
her Masters in Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education at UBC
and has chosen to learn about our Centre to explore her
interests. Over her three week placement, she has participated
Kelsie Grazier in all aspects of our programs, including the PEER Panel of
speakers and the Adapted PEER session. We were thrilled to have Kelsie
with us, especially since she attended programs at BCFHRC as a child.
Kelsie - 4 yrs old
__________________________
Summer Camp
20th Annual Family Deaf Camp - June 27 to 30th
Tribune Bay Outdoor Education Centre, Hornby Island
This camp is for parents with Deaf/Hard of
Hearing children and Deaf/Hard of Hearing
parents with their children. It is designed for
families that use sign language for all or part of
their communication. Most of the program will be
interpreted. The Centre staff and DYT (Deaf
Youth Today) staff are offering family programs
and programs especially for children and adults.
Accommodation/Meals: Bring your own tent or
RV, cooking and camping gear. Some meals are
on your own but we supply Friday and Saturday
supper and Sunday Breakfast (at the Lodge).
Everyone is asked to volunteer for one meal
cleanup. Thanks to our supporters, rates are
very subsidized.
Camp fee: $220 (includes tax) for a family rate for the entire camp. Extra individual $110 (includes tax).
Due to low fees, only IMMEDIATE family will be included in the family rate. Any additional people will be
added at the individual rate and cannot be included in the Family fee.
For more information contact:
Your hosts: Gord and Allison Campbell
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 250-335-0080 Fax: 250-335-0890
www.tribunebayoutdoored.com
BC Family Hearing Resource Centre-Reaching Out–Spring 2013
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Seasonal Signs
spring
choose
teacher
help
flower
egg
chocolate
give/donate
student
walk
appreciate
volunteer
BC Family Hearing Resource Centre-Reaching Out–Spring 2013
12
Reaching Out
Newsletter published quarterly by
Calendar
April
1
21 to 27
25, 26, 27
Easter Monday Holiday – Centre Closed
National Volunteer Week
PEER 3-day Workshop
May is Speech and Hearing Month
12
Happy Mother’s Day
20
Victoria Day Holiday – Centre closed
23-25
Canadian Hard of Hearing Annual Conference – Edmonton
26
Elks & Royal Purple Annual Walkathon–Campbell Valley Park
June
16
17
27 – 30
Happy Father’s Day
Elks & Royal Purple Appreciation Tea; PALS Graduation
Tribune Bay, Hornby Island Family Deaf Camp
July/August
29 to Aug 1 Mingle & Play Summer Program
Our Outreach Consultants’ visits
to Communities Throughout BC
April
Carolyn Hawrish - Fort St. John
Zara Gauthier – Cranbrook
Dyan Spear - Penticton, Comox
May
Dyan Spear –Victoria, Revelstoke, Salmon Arm
Zara Gauthier – Castlegar, Fruitvale, Grand Forks, Nelson,
Trail
June
Zara Gauthier - Prince George, Cranbrook, Golden
Carolyn Hawrish – Kamloops, Parksville, Port Alberni
BC Family Hearing
Resource Centre
15220 – 92nd Avenue
Surrey, BC V3R 2T8
Toll Free: 1-877-584-2827
Phone (604)584-2827(voice),
(604)584-9108 (tty), (604)584-2800
(fax)
Executive Director: Noreen Simmons
Editors: Cindy Adams & Taucha
Gretzinger
We are a family-centered early
intervention Provincial Resource
Program committed to individual
communication choices. We provide
support and resources throughout BC
to deaf and hard of hearing children,
their families and Community Service
Providers.
The purpose of the Reaching Out
Newsletter is to provide information
and support to our readers.
Reference to any specific commercial
products, process, or service by trade
name, trademark, manufacturer, or
otherwise, does not necessarily
constitute or imply its endorsement,
recommendation, or favoring by the
BC Family Hearing Resource
Society.
Articles and ideas are welcome! The
opinions expressed therefore are those
of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the Board of
Directors or the staff. We reserve the
right to edit contributions for brevity
and clarity.
There is no fee for the Reaching Out
newsletter, however, donations are
gratefully accepted.
Sign Language from the Canadian
Dictionary of ASL, Carol Sue Bailey
& Kathy Dolby, Editors. Used with
Permission from the University of
Alberta Press.
Newsletter - Mail, On-Line or Email?
Would you prefer to receive our newsletter emailed to you? Are you aware that our newsletters are posted on
our website? In our efforts to “Go Green” we offer the electronic distribution option to those interested.
To receive your newsletter this way, simply email [email protected] with the email address you
would like the newsletter sent to AND the current name and address it is being sent to by mail in order to have your
name removed from the list.
BC Family Hearing Resource Centre-Reaching Out–Spring 2013