You hear what I hear? Kelly can't
Donation protected
What if you had to read lips every day?
In 1981, Kelly and her twin brother were born seven- weeks early. These tiny babies were immediately placed in incubators in the Neonatal ICU where they fought for their lives and even began to flourish.
Kelly was full of life and movement like any normal newborn. Until, one day, in the heat of August, a cleaning guy came in to clean the floors. While going about his job, he didn't notice that he had accidentally unplugged her incubator. Kelly's temperature dropped. She struggled to breathe.
Shortly after, her aunt came by for a visit, and noticed that Kelly was turning blue. She summoned a nurse who figured out the problem and plugged the incubator back in. Kelly nearly lost her life. And now because of that accident, she has suffered her whole life with severe hearing loss. The family was unable to afford hearing aids so Kelly learned to read lips. Even though she has always struggled to hear, it’s a miracle that today she is an accomplished vocalist and has been performing on stage ever since she can remember. Still, in crowded environments, she relies on lip reading and it’s nearly impossible for her to keep up with conversations. She has not let this stop her from living a normal life. In her early twenties, the church she attended raised enough money for her to get her first set of hearing aids. Kelly was overwhelmed with emotion by being able to hear simple things like leaves crunching under her feet, birds chirping, a cell phone ringing, the sound of a guitar while she sang, and her daddy's precious voice as he would pray.
Technology changes quickly and hearing aids only last about 5-8 years. Her original set no longer function. Kelly, now 33, is a social worker and dedicates her life to helping victims of abuse. Often going into unknown circumstances with hostile individuals, she has managed to overcome her challenges and helped to rescue and protect hundreds of children during her tenure as a child abuse investigator. Kelly has now taken on a new role, helping victims of domestic violence at the Women's Center in Titusville. On a daily basis she is selflessly serving those who have nowhere else to turn.
Hearing aids are about $5,000 and unbelievably, insurance does not cover them. With no means of acquiring them, Kelly goes on daily without complaint, "watching" people talk and cheerfully serving others.
Kelly did not ask for our help, but if you can, please help her hear.
In 1981, Kelly and her twin brother were born seven- weeks early. These tiny babies were immediately placed in incubators in the Neonatal ICU where they fought for their lives and even began to flourish.
Kelly was full of life and movement like any normal newborn. Until, one day, in the heat of August, a cleaning guy came in to clean the floors. While going about his job, he didn't notice that he had accidentally unplugged her incubator. Kelly's temperature dropped. She struggled to breathe.
Shortly after, her aunt came by for a visit, and noticed that Kelly was turning blue. She summoned a nurse who figured out the problem and plugged the incubator back in. Kelly nearly lost her life. And now because of that accident, she has suffered her whole life with severe hearing loss. The family was unable to afford hearing aids so Kelly learned to read lips. Even though she has always struggled to hear, it’s a miracle that today she is an accomplished vocalist and has been performing on stage ever since she can remember. Still, in crowded environments, she relies on lip reading and it’s nearly impossible for her to keep up with conversations. She has not let this stop her from living a normal life. In her early twenties, the church she attended raised enough money for her to get her first set of hearing aids. Kelly was overwhelmed with emotion by being able to hear simple things like leaves crunching under her feet, birds chirping, a cell phone ringing, the sound of a guitar while she sang, and her daddy's precious voice as he would pray.
Technology changes quickly and hearing aids only last about 5-8 years. Her original set no longer function. Kelly, now 33, is a social worker and dedicates her life to helping victims of abuse. Often going into unknown circumstances with hostile individuals, she has managed to overcome her challenges and helped to rescue and protect hundreds of children during her tenure as a child abuse investigator. Kelly has now taken on a new role, helping victims of domestic violence at the Women's Center in Titusville. On a daily basis she is selflessly serving those who have nowhere else to turn.
Hearing aids are about $5,000 and unbelievably, insurance does not cover them. With no means of acquiring them, Kelly goes on daily without complaint, "watching" people talk and cheerfully serving others.
Kelly did not ask for our help, but if you can, please help her hear.
Organizer
Holly Woolsey
Organizer
Titusville, FL
