interview
“Penny’s cousin went through the
centre some time ago and so Penny
seemed like a logical fit because she
understood the centre’s aims and the
impact that hearing loss can have.”
Jim explained the significant
Family has always been important
to me and I’m pleased to be
supporting The Shepherd Centre
who have previously done so
much for my family.
effects that hearing loss can have and
how The Shepherd Centre can help.
“Some children born with hearing
loss have it affect their ability to
“And our assistance occurs in
“This may be through hearing
develop spoken language. Parents stages. Firstly in providing support aids or cochlear implants, and
worry when their child is diagnosed to the family, who often have no prior implementing this early enough often
that they won’t ever speak or be able experience with hearing loss. allows the child to develop language.
to hear them in any capacity. And “We have a child and family that is where the centre can help. counselling team and they assist in train parents to become specialists
“We step in as soon as possible; setting the child, parents and siblings in specific therapies for their child.
babies should be screened for hearing up for the journey ahead. And then we We see the family once a week and
loss and diagnosis can be confirmed make sure the child has the very best parents implement therapies in the
at two or three weeks of age. access to sound that they can have. home outside of that.”
“We use therapy interventions and
In her ambassador role, Penny
will work with The Shepherd Centre
in a number of areas raise awareness
about their early intervention
strategies, current research projects
and hearing loss in general.
“I think there is this gap now
between what services and supports
are government funded and then
those additional things that just add
up,” Penny said.
“Part of what I want to be able
to do is spread the word about The
Shepherd Centre and hopefully hel p
them in raising some funds so that
these costs don’t have to be an out of
pocket expense for these kids.
Having recently taken part in
the Sydney City to Surf run to raise
awareness for the centre, Penny is
now turning her attention to the
Centre’s main fundraiser, Loud Shirt
Day, in October.
26
interview
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