RIDBC Quarterly Autumn 2017

The RIDBC

uarterly

is ready for ‘big school’ Josh meets the Prime Minister New sounds delight Victoria

Autumn 2017

From the Chief Executive A look at Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC) this quarter.

2017 is already shaping up to be a big year for RIDBC! The start of a new year is always exciting, particularly for the children going off to 'big school'. In this issue, you will read about five-year-old Jack, who graduated from RIDBC Nepean Preschool in 2016 and is now attending his local mainstream school. We wish Jack, and all the other children starting school, the very best for the year ahead.

Reflecting on 2016, we launched our new five year strategic plan that will see us reach more people, deliver best practice and secure our organisational future so that we remain relevant and responsive to the children, adults, families and professionals who need us.

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) played a significant role in our operations as we continue to actively work with children, adults and families as they complete their first NDIS plans, as well as working with those families who are just starting their NDIS journey.

In December last year, I was pleased to be able to thank our many wonderful volunteers for their invaluable contribution at the RIDBC annual volunteer luncheon, held on International Volunteer Day. Volunteering is crucial to RIDBC – it is central to our culture and to our ability to provide services.

I'd also like to thank the talented volunteer cast and crew of the 2016 Qantas Pathfinders Revue, who put on a show-stopping performance

over five nights to a sellout crowd. The show raised $155,000 for the children, adults and families supported

by RIDBC – an incredible result.

RIDBC relies heavily on fundraising initiatives like the Qantas Pathfinders Revue to be able to continue to make a difference in the lives of people with vision or hearing loss.

Thank you for your ongoing interest and support of our work. I wish you and your family the very best for the year ahead and I look forward to keeping you updated on all things RIDBC throughout the year.

Chris Rehn RIDBC Chief Executive

Talented cast and crew from the 2016 Qantas Pathfinders Revue raised a smashing $155,000 for RIDBC!

Jack (pictured far left) enjoys fun activities with his classmates and teacher Melissa at RIDBC Nepean Preschool.

Jack is ready for ‘big school’ Diagnosed with hearing loss at 2 weeks of age, five-year-old Jack is now ready for ‘big school’ with support from RIDBC. It is an exciting time for parents, Lesley and George, who are grateful for the help they have received.

When Jack’s hearing loss was diagnosed, it came as a shock to mum, Lesley.

“When we were told our first born baby had hearing loss, I felt stunned,” said Lesley. “It was completely unexpected as I didn’t have any complications during my pregnancy and my husband and I had no history of hearing loss in our family.”

At four months of age, Jack was fitted with hearing aids and began accessing services through RIDBC Teleschool.

“RIDBC was one of the first organisations to contact me shortly after we received Jack’s diagnosis. Living in a remote region in Western Australia, George and I were so pleased when we were told of the services available

to us. Videoconferencing technology allowed RIDBC to bring listening, speech and language programs to Jack on a weekly basis.”

After relocating to Sydney in 2014, Jack was enrolled in RIDBC’s Early Learning Program (Hearing Impairment) at Glenmore Park before transitioning to preschool at age three.

“I cannot thank RIDBC enough for supporting not only Jack with all his needs, but also myself,” said Lesley. “Being at RIDBC Nepean Preschool is very reassuring. Jack’s teacher, Melissa, has been with him every step of the way, and provided him with a caring and nurturing environment that he has just thrived in.”

RIBBC Nepean Preschool

together with Lesley and George have worked hard to prepare Jack for his transition to mainstream school this year.

“In preparation for 'big school' Jack has been practising writing his name, listening to stories and helping to act out the stories,” said RIDBC Nepean Preschool Director, Melissa Sangalang. “He has recently started advocating for his listening skills and will ask a teacher to wear his FM during group times to allow him to hear better.”

Lesley is hopeful for the future.

“RIDBC has set some great foundations and for that I am truly grateful. With their continued support I am confident that Jack will do well at school and beyond. ”

Josh meets the Prime Minister RIDBC Teleschool student, Josh, who lives with a vision impairment, felt ‘over the moon’ when he and his brother, Ben, received an invitation to meet the Prime Minister of Australia.

For nine-year-old Josh from Carindale, meeting Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull was a truly amazing experience.

“Josh received a letter of congratulations from the Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, a couple of years ago after Mr Vasta read an article in the local paper about Josh’s achievements in the 2014 Braille Literacy Challenge,” said Joshua’s mum, Jenny. “The letter of congratulations was written in Braille which was so special.”

Last year, Josh asked Mr Vasta if he and his brother, Ben, could meet the Prime Minister – he was thrilled when his wish came true.

“Josh was so excited to meet the Prime Minister – it was

such a wonderful experience for him. The best part of his day was having his selfie taken with Mr Turnbull,” said Jenny. “Josh also gave the Prime Minister a gift he had made in Braille and this is now displayed in the Prime Minister’s office.”

Josh and his older brother Ben enjoy public speaking and are both interested in politics and parliament.

“Ben received the highest mark in the State for his AMEB Speech and Drama Exams twice and performed at Parliament House in Brisbane. He has also learned Braille to support Josh and attends the RIDBC Teleschool residential camps with him every year,” said Jenny.

In September, a few days before Josh left for Canberra, Josh came first in the state in Queensland Braille Writing Association’s Braille Literacy Challenge for reading, and second in the state for writing.

“We are so incredibly proud of Josh and feel confident he will be able to fulfil his dreams.

He is a quiet achiever, but you couldn’t wipe the smile off his face,” said Jenny. “He came straight home after the Challenge and rang his RIDBC Teleschool teacher, Tricia, to tell her the good news.”

“Josh just loves his sessions with Tricia. She is the most amazing teacher who goes above and beyond for her students.”

Josh with his mum Jenny (pictured left) and with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, his family, and Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta (pictured far right in photo inset).

Qantas Pathfinders cabin crew and volunteers with Simon Marnie and Ray Martin AO on this year’s Charity Flight.

Flying to fundraise The annual Qantas Pathfinders Charity Flight took to the skies once again in November raising over $110,000 for RIDBC. The unforgettable day trip included a special Qantas return flight from Sydney to Hobart, a visit to Salamanca Place, the heart of Hobart’s historic waterfront, and a stunning three course lunch at Tasmania’s iconic Museum of Old and New Art (MONA).

“It was a fun-filled day for a wonderful cause, which couldn’t happen without the tireless support of the Qantas Pathfinders Committee and the generosity of the pilots and cabin crew who volunteer their services each year.”

This year ABC radio presenter Simon Marnie, and Tasmanian Brand Ambassador and well known media celebrity, Ray Martin AO, joined passengers on the flight.

The Qantas Pathfinders Charity Flight is organised by Pathfinders Auxiliary, a team of volunteers from the Qantas community and was initiated by long-time Pathfinders member Captain Roger Gee, who is now on the RIDBC Board of Directors, with the first flight going to Longreach in 2002.

“The flight was a great way to see the best of Tasmania.

The gourmet lunch at MONA and tour of the museum’s international exhibition, The Origins of Art, was certainly a highlight of the day,” said RIDBC Committees and Events Manager, Kaye Bailey.

Previous charity flight destinations include Uluru, Hamilton Island, Fraser Island, Queenstown,

New Zealand, Alice Springs and Norfolk Island.

Since taking to the skies, this unique annual event has raised more than $1.2 million in support of RIDBC – an incredible achievement.

“The event would literally ‘not get off the ground’ without the outstanding support of our sponsors Shell Aviation, Sydney Airport Corporation Limited, AirServices Australia and Q Catering, who have been long-time sponsors, as well as Hobart Airport,” said Kaye.

RIDBC relies heavily on initiatives like the Qantas Pathfinders Charity Flight to be able to continue to make a difference in people’s lives.

Victoria pictured with her kindergarten students in the classroom.

New sounds delight Victoria For kindergarten teacher Victoria, not being able to hear in the classroom was exhausting.

Victoria received her first pair of hearing aids shortly after being diagnosed with hearing loss at three years of age.

“When I first started working as a teacher I definitely had to adapt – like making sure I could hear the evacuation alarm – but I was coping quite well,” said Victoria. “I previously hadn’t been considered a candidate for a cochlear implant – but then over the course of a year I started to find it difficult to hear in the classroom and it was leaving me pretty exhausted.”

work in the New Year. I didn’t have high expectations as I didn’t want to be disappointed, but when my dad spoke to me I could understand what he was saying! I said, ‘Oh my goodness, I can hear the ‘S’ and ‘SH’ sound’ - I really hadn’t heard them well before.

A new round of assessments found that Victoria’s hearing had deteriorated.

“The surgery was a massive success. It’s amazing the things I can hear now - like the sound of the fridge! There are lots of amazing experiences and some hilarious ones too.

Just the other week I leant too close to the whiteboard and my head stuck due to the implant’s magnet, the kids were in stiches!

“It was time for an implant,” said Victoria. “I had the surgery over the Christmas school holidays and was back to

“It’s been a long journey but it’s been worth it. The staff at RIDBC's SCIC Cochlear Implant Program in Gosford

have been amazing - I can contact them at any time and ask them questions. In the classroom it’s made a huge difference. Previously I had to rush off early to meetings to make sure that I got a seat up front so I could lip read but now I don’t have to rush, I can sit at the back and still pick it all up!”

SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, an RIDBC service, is Australia’s largest and most comprehensive cochlear implant program, setting new benchmarks and delivering the highest level of care and support at every stage of the cochlear implant journey.

For more information about cochlear implants or SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, visit ridbc.org.au/scic or call 1300 581 391.

YEARS

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