Sertoma needs people to honor

Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida Inc. is joining a nationwide effort to acknowledge the accomplishments and contributions of hearing-impaired individuals. And the organization needs Pasco County residents to nominate for a national awards program that honors hearing-challenged role models.

"Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida Inc. is seeking outstanding individuals from Pasco County with any degree of hearing loss to nominate for a national awards program that honors people with hearing loss who make a difference in their schools, communities or the world," a Sertoma announcement states. "The 2009 Oticon Focus on People Awards, which celebrates its eleventh year in 2009, is designed to help eliminate outdated and hurtful stereotypes that discourage people from seeking professional help for their hearing loss. For Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida Inc. the program is an excellent way to demonstrate that hearing loss does not limit a person's ability to achieve, contribute and excel."

Craig McCart, executive director of Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida in New Port Richey, said this awards program is an ideal way to reinforce the overall Sertoma mission, which is to encourage and facilitate positive, productive living for hearing-impaired individuals.

"Hearing-impaired people can succeed," he said. "That's the message we need to get across."

The Oticon Focus on People program recognizes success stories in five categories of people with hearing loss:

•Students ages 6 through 21

•Adults 21 and older

•Advocacy: People 21 and older who volunteer time in advocacy or support efforts for the hard of hearing or the deaf

•Practitioner: Practicing hearing care professionals

• Pediatric practitioner: Hearing care professionals in school or clinical settings.

First-place category winners will receive $1,000 and a $1,000 donation by Oticon to a nonprofit cause of their choice. Second-place winners will receive $500. Third-place winners will receive $250.

All nominees will receive a certificate of recognition.

McCart says he looks forward to discovering Pasco residents eligible to compete in this national competition.

"We want to try to promote this in the community to see what kind of responses we get," he said. "If we have any winners in this area or even if we hear stories of other winners, it will inspire adults and children with hearing loss."

This inspiration is needed, McCart says, particularly when one considers the stigma and stereotypes the hearing-impaired must contend with.

"The negative stereotypes associated with hearing loss may explain why many people with hearing loss wait an average of 10 years before obtaining a hearing solution despite the incredible advances of recent years," he says in a written statement. "In fact, studies have proven that untreated hearing loss can lead to depression, social isolation and an overall diminished quality of life."

McCart explains that children who face hearing loss often are reluctant to wear their hearing aids for fear of mockery and bullying at school. Older people might shy away from hearing aids because of pride or vanity.

"As Helen Keller once said, 'Blindness separates people from things,'

" McCart said. "

'Deafness separates people from people.'

"

Another Sertoma effort that seeks to integrate and include hearing-impaired people is the Young Workers Program.

"Our Young Workers Program works with hearing-impaired students ages 16 to 21 to help them overcome their obstacles and learn the interviewing skills they need to get a job," McCart said.

Through programs such as the Oticon Focus on People Awards and the Young Workers Program, Sertoma officials hope to give people with hearing loss the dignity and opportunities they deserve.

"It's important that we recognize these people, to show that just because you're hard of hearing doesn't mean you can't excel in life and make contributions," McCart said.

NOMINEES SOUGHT

SOME BACKGROUND: For the first time, Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida is participating in the Oticon Focus on People Awards. Sertoma is seeking Pasco County nominees for this 11th annual award, which "is designed to help eliminate outdated and hurtful stereotypes that discourage people from seeking professional help for their hearing loss."

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: The mission of the Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida, according to an organization Web site, is to "provide quality developmental and rehabilitative services, products and education primarily to children throughout Florida, in a caring and compassionate environment, never limited by the ability to pay."

GET INVOLVED: Sertoma Executive Director Craig McCart encourages anyone who knows of an outstanding person with hearing loss to contact him at Sertoma Speech and Hearing Foundation of Florida, (727) 834-5479, or via the Sertoma Web site at www.familyhearing help.org. Deadline for nominations is Sept. 21.