RIDBC Spring 2014 Quarterly

The RIDBC

uarterly

New sounds to delight Nathaniel

SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, an RIDBC service

Spring 2014

Toys help Ashton engage with his world

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

How the year flies by. I’m delighted to announce the launch of our new SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, an RIDBC service. This follows the completion of a merger between SCIC and RIDBC. Whilst our organisations have been working together for some time, our focus is to bring comprehensive cochlear implantation services to Australians and improve access to this exciting and life changing technology.

The merger also helps reduce costs across our services and ensures your generous support goes even further than before.

In July, we officially opened RIDBC’s new service in Liverpool. This new site has been specially designed to meet the need for vision and

hearing services in the busy south western area of Sydney.

Many families are already taking advantage of our quality, accessible services from this new site and we look forward to supporting many more children, families and adults over the years to come.

Quarterly is Ashton, who attends RIDBC Early Learning Program (Vision Impairment).

His mum now makes toys for children with vision loss that are accessible and tactile, giving them to other families with similar needs as well as selling them to raise funds for RIDBC.

Also in this edition you will read about Ted and Dot, our most recent RIDBC Rainbow Lottery winners. Dot used to work for RIDBC and knows firsthand how important our services are to those in need. The couple have donated to RIDBC through the lottery for many years, so we extend our thanks and congratulations to them both!

Thank you for your continued support and interest in RIDBC. It is exciting being part of an organisation that has the privilege of working with adults, children, and their families, and being part of the road to success.

Thank you for the important role you play in supporting our work.

If you’re a regular reader of my updates you’ll recognise that I love innovation and creativity. Featured in this

Chris Rehn RIDBC Chief Executive

Announcing...

COCHLEAR IMPLANT PROGRAM

A n RIDBC s e r v i c e

Cochlear implants have given Nathaniel access to a whole new world of sound

New sounds to delight Nathaniel Nathaniel, from regional Queensland, will be two years old in September.

He is receiving support from RIDBC for his hearing loss.

Diagnosed with hearing loss at birth, Nathaniel was fitted with hearing aids when he was eight weeks old.

“Nathaniel has a syndrome which causes hearing to deteriorate,” said Jodee.

“Our family chose to access RIDBC as they supported our philosophy of offering both speech and sign language support, ensuring Nathaniel would always be able to communicate – even without his hearing aids.”

Nathaniel now accesses RIDBC Teleschool, which supports families in regional and remote areas of Australia using highquality videoconferencing technology.

“When Nathaniel seemed to be struggling to connect with the sounds around him, a

test revealed his hearing had deteriorated,” said Jodee.

“The new diagnosis meant he was eligible for cochlear implants and I will be forever grateful to RIDBC who coordinated it all. Without RIDBC we would have had to wait for up to six months to get them - he would have missed so much language!

With RIDBC we only had to wait six weeks.”

Nathaniel’s two cochlear implants were ‘switched on’ in August 2013. They are now ‘mapped’ for sound to optimise Nathaniel’s hearing via RIDBC’s remote telemapping service.

“With RIDBC, we don’t have to travel to Brisbane every week for the mapping and we don’t have to relocate to a big city to access the right services. Everything happens

from home,” said Jodee.

“Now, with his cochlear implants, Nathaniel listens to everything. ‘Switch on’ really is the right phrase. His concentration levels changed overnight as he no longer has to try to take in everything visually. If an implant comes loose he even tries to put it back on himself!”

Nathaniel’s future now looks even brighter.

“Nathaniel saw more specialists in his first 12 months of life than most people see in their lifetime,” said Jodee. “Now, every week Nathaniel makes such progress. We’re excited and he’s excited because he can come out with new words and sounds. His face lights up.

I don’t think of my son as having a disability, he’s just our little guy with extra hardware.”

Long-time supporters win lottery Long-time supporters win lottery

DBC Rainbow Lottery winners, Ted and Dot Hamilton, have been upporting the lottery for more than 22 years.

RIDBC Rainbow Lottery winners, Ted and Dot Hamilton, have been The couple have long been supporting the lottery friends of RIDBC. Both for more than 22 years. teachers, Dot worked for The couple have long been RIDBC during her twenties. friends of RIDBC. Both “I first started supporting blind for teachers, Dot worked studentsRIDBC when during I was inher high twenties. school,” said Dot. “I visited “I first started blind the public library nearsupporting RIDBC students was in high and noticed therewhen were Ino school,” said Dot. braille books, so I started “I visited public library using mythe lunch breaks to near RIDBC andchildren’s noticed there transcribe bookswere no braille books, so I started into braille. Nothing was using mythen lunch to electronic back so breaks I transcribe children’s books had to use a stylus to create braille. the dotsinto – and teachNothing myself was braille atelectronic the sameback time!then so I had to use a stylus to create “It was such gratifying the dots – andwork, teach myself knowingbraille that the children at the same time! would be able to read was such gratifying work, without“It relying on someone knowing that the children RIDBC Rainbow Lottery Manager, else to read to them.” would be able to read Gerard Lee, welcomes Dot and Ted Dot andwithout Ted both thoroughly relying on someone during their visit to RIDBC enjoyed else returning to to RIDBC RIDBC Rainbow Lottery Manager, to read them.” to visit.

Gerard Lee, welcomes Dot and Ted Dot and Ted both thoroughly has the need for its services.

The couple, married 60 during their visit tofor RIDBC “Dot’s instinct forreturning community enjoyed to RIDBC years, will use their winnings “Technology really is changing service has always been to visit. to do some repairs around everything. that there,” said Ted. “Coming hasTo thethink need forDot its services.

The couple, married for 60 “Dot’s instinct for community their house. To buy lottery used to manually imprint back to RIDBC has been years, will use their winnings “Technology really serviceseeing has always been braille into tickets, call 1800 043 411 or mind-blowing, how the books and nowis changing to do some repairs around To think that Dot there,” said Ted.–“Coming organisation has grown as visit ridbc.org.au/lottery. you can everything. just use a printer!” their house. To buy lottery used to manually imprint back to RIDBC has been tickets, call 1800 043 411 or mind-blowing, seeing how the braille into books and now organisation has grown – as visit ridbc.org.au/lottery. you can just use a printer!”

Qantas Pathfinders Charity Flight This year the flight is travelling to the beautiful Norfolk Island.

Qantas Pathfinders Charity Flight

Norfolk Island boasts a wealth of natural beauty – from the beaches, to the heritage listed convict sitebeautiful and, of course, This yearworld the flight is travelling to the Norfolk Island. the iconic Norfolk Island pines!

Norfolk Island boasts a wealth of natural beauty – from the ‘Paradise’ was thetoword Captain Cook used describe island, beaches, the world heritage listedto convict sitethe and, of course, but come and make your mind up for yourself! the iconic Norfolk Island pines!

Saturday 13 September, with $600 taxused deductibility.

‘Paradise’ was the$950 wordppCaptain Cook to describe the island, Call 02 9872 0329 or visit ridbc.org.au/charityflight. but come and make your mind up for yourself!

Saturday 13 September, $950 pp with $600 tax deductibility.

Call 02 9872 0329 or visit ridbc.org.au/charityflight.

COCHLEAR IMPLANT PROGRAM

A n RIDBC s e r v i c e 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.

SCIC Cochlear Implant Program, an RIDBC service On 1 July 2014, SCIC and RIDBC joined forces to provide Australia’s largest and most comprehensive cochlear implant program for children and adults with significant hearing loss.

“This merger brings together two great Australian charities, strengthening Australia’s largest cochlear implant program, with fully integrated cochlear implantation, rehabilitation, therapy, education and early intervention services,” said RIDBC Chief Executive, Chris Rehn.

accessing cochlear implant services and for the many children and adults who would benefit from a cochlear implant,” said Chris. “We now have more locations across Australia and can deliver our ongoing support services remotely, giving even more Australians access to this life changing technology.”

The SCIC Cochlear Implant Program is a service of RIDBC and is available for both adults and children.

The new program provides an expanded suite of cochlear implantation services and a more comprehensive program tailored to meet an individual’s specific needs and stage of life.

The program can be provided as a discrete service for people of all ages or integrated with other RIDBC services, such as; early intervention programs; education services; and speech, vision and occupational therapy sessions.

“This is a great outcome for all people who are currently

Our team has a wealth of experience working with

children, young people, adults and older adults to achieve the best possible outcomes.

“Existing clients of the SCIC or RIDBC cochlear implant programs will continue to receive the full range of services that they currently access, both now and into the future,” said Chris.

Together, we are setting new benchmarks in cochlear implantation services.

We are investing in clinical excellence, professional development, technology, infrastructure and research programs, and forging close ties with other organisations in the cochlear implant field.

For more information, call 1300 658 981, visit ridbc.org.au/scic or email scicadmin@scic.org.au.

Mum, Renee, with Ashton and his RIDBC Consultant, Maria, using a toy with light interaction to help Ashton engage

Toys help Ashton engage with his world Ashton has been receiving services from RIDBC Early Learning Program (Vision Impairment) since he was six months old.

Ashton’s parents, Renee and Greg, noticed something was wrong with Ashton’s vision when he was just three weeks old.

“An ultrasound found a mass,” said Renee. “He had a tumour and needed surgery, but there were complications.

Ashton had a severe stroke and lost the entire left hemisphere of his brain.”

Ashton is now two years old and has no vision in his left eye, low vision in his right, as well as significant additional disabilities.

“Regular early learning sessions with RIDBC are helping Ashton make the best use of his remaining vision,” said Renee.

“We’ve learned so much, like how to position him with the light behind him so he can get the most out of his

eyesight, and the best toys to help him learn.”

Learning about toys for children with vision loss sparked Renee’s interest.

“When Ashton was diagnosed I realised there weren’t many appropriate toys – he needed black and white or high contrast toys as well as sound or light,” said Renee.

“I started making these little balls made of differently textured fabrics, with balloons and bells inside.

Ashton loved them and now I sell them to support The Ashton Binskin Foundation and RIDBC.” Renee’s passion has been infectious, with other mothers lending a helping hand with sewing.

“People just want to give back,” said Renee.

RIDBC Consultant, Maria Lupton, said Ashton is doing well.

“Whilst coping with all of Ashton’s frequent medical appointments, his family have responded to input and suggestions from RIDBC with great enthusiasm,” said Maria.

“Since he started with RIDBC, Ashton is making great progress. The latest – he is now mobile and can bottom shuffle to move towards his favourite toys!”

Renee said it hasn’t been easy, but the family focus on the positives.

“It’s been eye opening. In hospital there is always someone far off worse than us,” said Renee. “Really from the beginning we’ve had RIDBC. Ashton loves his lessons and we all feel so supported, it’s fantastic!”

Have fun and raise funds for RIDBC this quarter!

Yes, I would like to support RIDBC I would like to give a gift to RIDBC I will give $__ As a once-off gift Title

QANTAS Pathfinders Revue Join this hilarious, high energy show for a night of laughs. Book early to avoid disappointment as the final nights sell out fast.

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Tuesday 14 - Saturday 18 October, $40 pp, North Sydney Leagues Club at 7:30 pm.

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1 September tickets on sale: ridbc.org.au/revue

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Horizon Committee Oaks Day Enjoy this fabulous lunch and fashion parade, featuring design by Moss & Spy and Philadelphia Philpot Millinery.

6 November, $110 pp, Amora Hotel Ballroom, Jamison Street, Sydney Bookings: Colleen Keys 0400 522 629

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Please find enclosed my:

Run for RIDBC! Hit the pavement and fundraise for a worthy cause in the Blackmore’s Sydney Running Festival, 21 September.

or, please debit my: Visa

Blackmore’s Sydney Running Festival

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Call 02 9872 0324 to find out more.

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