Dear Editor, Times-Union: My 6-year-old son, Freddie, was born with severe deformities in both ears (cochlea and middle ear), causing a severe-to-profound mixed hearing loss. Freddie currently wears hearing aids and can hear at a level of 30-40 decibels with his aids; "normal" hearing ranges from zero to one decibel.
Freddie is extremely delayed in communication and speech. He began receiving services at age 18 months through the wonderful First Steps Program, housed by Cardinal Center. Last year I was able to purchase state-of-the-art digital hearing aids, which have helped his progress tremendously. Through sign language and limited speech, his communication skills are slowly building. However, he is unable to keep up with his age level and cannot be understood by someone who does not converse with Freddie on a daily basis.
We recently discovered that Freddie's ear deformities are typical of a progressive hearing loss; Freddie is at high risk to lose what little residual hearing he has. His therapists, teachers, medical professionals and family feel an intense pressure to teach him as much communication as possible while he still has some hearing left.
Beyond our local resources, we discovered a wonderful oral school for hearing-impaired children called Child's Voice in Elmhurst, Ill. This private oral school educates hearing-impaired children in all academic areas as well as spoken language skills. Twice recognized for excellence by the U.S. Department of Education, Child's Voice allows deaf children to be successful in a mainstream educational setting and in society as well. Freddie has been accepted in a five-week, intense summer program.
To send Freddie to the summer program and to donate to Child's Voice School, we are holding a fund-raiser at the Warsaw Hacienda on Monday, June 2, 2003. By obtaining a token and handing it over with the meal payment that day, Hacienda will donate a portion of those sales (sales accompanied by the tokens) to Child's Voice School! This wonderful school does rely on donations as well as tuition. If you see posters for this event around town, please grab a token and come on out to Hacienda on Monday, June 2! For more information about the school, check out Child's Voice's Web site: www.oraldeaf.org/schools/childsvoice
Any assistance will help make a world of difference to any child lacking what we take for granted - basic communication skills; desperately needed before it is too late!
I also encourage other parents of hearing-impaired children to not give up - do not settle for the bare minimum for your child! Exhaust all options, try every path and demand the best services through your school corporation Most important, let's get together to bring resources here to Warsaw! The wheels in my head are turning and I would love to get in touch with other parents of hearing-impaired children.
To anyone wanting more information regarding the subject of this letter, please call me at 269-7793. I look forward to speaking with anyone interested!
Carrie Brissette Warsaw via e-mail
Military Donations
Editor, Times-Union: We want to thank all the wonderful, caring people in the local community who so generously donated requested items for our deployed military personnel. Also, those individuals, veterans' organizations and local businesses who provided the funds to ship the items.
The last shipment was made May 2. A total of 700 boxes were sent and any items remaining were delivered to the local Military Family Support Group pantry in the Warsaw American Legion Post.
Throughout the program we received letters and e-mail messages from the troops to thank everyone for remembering them. Their kind words of appreciation are humbling in comparison to what each of them did for each of us.
Again, we sincerely appreciate the generous support provided in this effort and ask you to continue supporting the Military Family Support Group until the troops are home and self-supporting once again.
The Enduring Freedom Supporters of Indiana
Tammy Shepherd John Brooks Jack Stump
WinSome Women
Editor, Times-Union: I wish to publicly thank the WinSome Women staff for providing such a high caliber retreat right here in our own backyard. The WinSome Women Spring Retreat held at the Wagon Wheel at the end of April was a beautiful time for all woman in attendance. We were blessed to be able to hear Godly, Holy Spirit-filled speakers with messages relevant to our needs as women of all ages and denominations. Through praise and worship, barriers were broken, enabling women to freely relate to one another on the common ground of hope in Jesus Christ.
I and a friend were given the opportunity to enjoy all elements of the retreat through the generosity of one of the co-founders' husband. Many years ago, Dick Anderson saw the need for a local woman's retreat after seeing what a blessing his wife Ethel had received from attending one in Michigan. He encouraged and enabled Ethel and Kay Grove to establish WinSome Women. But his encouragement did not stop with the founding; he continued to support the retreat by providing tickets for the weekends to women such as I. He saw my need for spiritual growth, refreshment from the demands of daily life and heart-to-heart fellowship with sisters in Christ. Though Dick passed away on the eve of this retreat, he left a permanent mark on my life through caring not only with words but acts to ensure my growth as a child of God. So thank you, Dick, for being my spiritual mentor. I am holding a hug for you when we see each other again in heaven.
Helen Brown Claypool via e-mail
Pork In Auburn
Editor, Times-Union: There is at least one segment of the pork industry that is alive and well and living in northeast Indiana - the pork barreling department, as portrayed in the boondoggle at the proposed museum in Auburn. While I have no quarrel with auto buffs pursuing their passion, I do object when they aim to do it via their hands in my pocket. This museum appears to be an effort by Kruse and Friends to pilfer public funds for private enterprise, cleverly cloaked as WWII Museum, having just the right proportion of perceived public benefit to be passed off as believable. Kruse and Friends tout this project as bringing green stuff into the Auburn area. No doubt it will, but as I see it, these same enthusiasts should be the ones footing the bill (and gleaning the profits). An example of this is The Village at Winona, which no doubt brings dollars into the area but, as I understand it, except for the improvements on the main thoroughfare, which was funded by taxpayers, the rest of the enterprise is being funded privately. I find it interesting that those same people who advocate privatization, including Medicare, are the same ones vying for taxpayers' money to foot their pet projects. Is there a dichotomy here? Do we hear sounds coming from both sides of the same mouths?
I resented my money being used to keep the naval station at Jacksonville, Fla., alive for 30 or so years after it was apparent it was a dinosaur; probably ditto for Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis. A boondoggle is a boondoggle is a boondoggle regardless of the flavor or of the location. I see it as legalized political stealing, designed to garner votes for some politico. I realize there are those for whom this process is appealing so long as it is ITBY.
Nevertheless, it is a misuse of public funds, an unsavory term since it conjures up the notion that $$$ are floating down from On High on gossamer strands. In reality, $$$ are flowing from your pocket and my pocket into a generaal trough.
Listen up - is there a not-so-faint sound of OINK OINK OINK?
Tam Vogel Winona Lake via e-mail
Thanks To Ritter's
Editor, Times-Union: Pastor John B. Lowe II and the congregation of New Life Christian Church and World Outreach, 744 S. CR 325E, in Warsaw, would like to thank our local Ritter's Frozen Custard Shoppe, under the management of Robert Cunningham, for the coupons they so generously donated to our precious mothers to help make their Mother's Day a little sweeter. May God bless you and your staff as you scoop up that tasty treat and bring joy to our fine community.
Pastor John B. Lowe II Warsaw via e-mail
Tippy Valley Building Plans
Editor, Times-Union: When Tippecanoe Valley High School was built in 1974, the decision was made not to include a performing arts facility. We now have the opportunity to change this. As part of the new building project at Tippecanoe Valley High School, plans for the construction of a much-needed auditorium are being considered. However, the plans are in jeopardy because of the financial investment involved and the misconception that the community will not support this project.
Students are currently forced to perform in facilities designed for uses other than performances (gymnasiums, cafeterias, lecture rooms). In addition to the performing arts groups, these areas are shared by study halls, athletics, school clubs and student dining. Overuse of these facilities makes scheduling events very difficult and increases wear and tear, requiring more upkeep and maintenance.
All students deserve to have a facility they can be proud of and call their own, whatever organizations they choose to participate in. The addition of an auditorium will demonstrate equal support and consideration from the school corporation and community for the performing arts. Therefore, the performing arts students will feel valued and respected for their contributions to the school and community.
We as performing arts educators appreciate how involved and committed the parents of our students have been in supporting their children whether they participate in band, choir, drama or musical. We now need support to help us remind administrators, business leaders and community decision-makers about the importance of quality performing arts programs in our school curriculum. Parents are asked to attend the High School Building project meeting on Monday May 19th at 7 p.m. in the TVHS commons. The presence of parents at this meeting will speak volumes. Never underestimate your influence!
Mindy Imhausen Beth Anglin Dale Pace Janell Riner via e-mail
