Coach Ayala's Hearing Aid Campaign
Donation protected
Coach Adrian Ayala
Coach Ayala is a very important person in our community and to a sports program at South Colonie Youth Baseball.
Adrian is a tireless volunteer in both of their baseball and softball programs. He is currently coaching the South Colonie Raiders Fall Ball travel team. Five years of managing/coaching baseball, and one year of coaching softball has made Adrian an invaluable member of the league. He also serves on the board, runs winter clinics, and maintains the fields in the park. It is not uncommon to see Adrian down at the fields at 6:30am to ensure sure that the teams will be playing on a meticulous baseball diamond. Adrian is a stay-at-home Dad with two boys ages 6 and 9.
Adrian has been deaf in both ears since he was a child. With the assistance of hearing aids, Adrian is able to communicate with his ball players and coach them as any coach would. It is his joy in life and has remained his reason to stay so positive and upbeat despite such obstacles. The kids adore Adrian and his attention to their betterment in both the game and life is seen all over. Because his lifelong disability has provided him with so many road blocks he refuses to give up on ANY child, or any person for that matter. He has donated what little available money he has to ensure that some kids have the right equipment to play the game. He holds open “sand lot” games for the neighborhood kids that just want to play a game of baseball but don’t want to play on an organized team. If a child needs a ride to or from a game or a practice….Adrian does the taxiing without question. He holds additional weekly practices for parents who are unable to get their kids to regularly scheduled practices due to other commitments. He does it for no other reason that he is a genuine soul and wants nothing but the best for these kids. His coaching and his teachings are invaluable to the league and community and we are privileged to have such a person among us.
However, as of the writing of this letter, his hearing situation is dire. He is currently operating with a single hearing aid that is 10 years old. He lost his other hearing aid over 6 years ago and has learned to operate on a single unit. This unit is now starting to fail him. The fear among us is that his entire world will be silenced once this unit inevitably dies. The players Adrian coaches would not be able to communicate with him. Not only would he lose his ability to hear his own children, but his effectiveness as a baseball coach would be greatly diminished; if not pulverized. We are afraid that just might destroy him as a person.
Several years ago he found that the Oticon Sumo DM was a game changer for him when he had tested one out. Adrian is a proud man and would not accept any handouts from his peers. So I made the decision to do his bidding and try to partner with either a Doctor or a hearing center that could work with us to lessen or, by some miracle, eliminate the financial burden this would create for his family. While the situation is not life or death, I did notice this week that Adrian was having and awful time trying to understand me. He reads lips so well, but without the assistance of the hearing aid he is in significant trouble.
Adrian’s entire world is about to go silent and I could not live with myself if I did not even try to make someone, someone who can make all the difference, aware of what this poor soul may soon be up against.
Health Insurance does not cover the expense of hearing aids....yes, even to profoundly deaf people such as Adrian. Each hearing aid will cost approximately $2500, not including doctor's exams, mutliple hearing tests/evaluations, ear mold fittings, co-pays, & transportation costs to and from all of these appointments. This is why Adrian needs our help.
Adrian is a coach/father/mentor who will help anyone in need. It's time he was the one receiving the help.
Please! Reach into your hearts and donate today!
Thank you!
South Colonie Youth Baseball League President Rich Currao
See Coach Ayala in action:
Coach Ayala is a very important person in our community and to a sports program at South Colonie Youth Baseball.
Adrian is a tireless volunteer in both of their baseball and softball programs. He is currently coaching the South Colonie Raiders Fall Ball travel team. Five years of managing/coaching baseball, and one year of coaching softball has made Adrian an invaluable member of the league. He also serves on the board, runs winter clinics, and maintains the fields in the park. It is not uncommon to see Adrian down at the fields at 6:30am to ensure sure that the teams will be playing on a meticulous baseball diamond. Adrian is a stay-at-home Dad with two boys ages 6 and 9.
Adrian has been deaf in both ears since he was a child. With the assistance of hearing aids, Adrian is able to communicate with his ball players and coach them as any coach would. It is his joy in life and has remained his reason to stay so positive and upbeat despite such obstacles. The kids adore Adrian and his attention to their betterment in both the game and life is seen all over. Because his lifelong disability has provided him with so many road blocks he refuses to give up on ANY child, or any person for that matter. He has donated what little available money he has to ensure that some kids have the right equipment to play the game. He holds open “sand lot” games for the neighborhood kids that just want to play a game of baseball but don’t want to play on an organized team. If a child needs a ride to or from a game or a practice….Adrian does the taxiing without question. He holds additional weekly practices for parents who are unable to get their kids to regularly scheduled practices due to other commitments. He does it for no other reason that he is a genuine soul and wants nothing but the best for these kids. His coaching and his teachings are invaluable to the league and community and we are privileged to have such a person among us.
However, as of the writing of this letter, his hearing situation is dire. He is currently operating with a single hearing aid that is 10 years old. He lost his other hearing aid over 6 years ago and has learned to operate on a single unit. This unit is now starting to fail him. The fear among us is that his entire world will be silenced once this unit inevitably dies. The players Adrian coaches would not be able to communicate with him. Not only would he lose his ability to hear his own children, but his effectiveness as a baseball coach would be greatly diminished; if not pulverized. We are afraid that just might destroy him as a person.
Several years ago he found that the Oticon Sumo DM was a game changer for him when he had tested one out. Adrian is a proud man and would not accept any handouts from his peers. So I made the decision to do his bidding and try to partner with either a Doctor or a hearing center that could work with us to lessen or, by some miracle, eliminate the financial burden this would create for his family. While the situation is not life or death, I did notice this week that Adrian was having and awful time trying to understand me. He reads lips so well, but without the assistance of the hearing aid he is in significant trouble.
Adrian’s entire world is about to go silent and I could not live with myself if I did not even try to make someone, someone who can make all the difference, aware of what this poor soul may soon be up against.
Health Insurance does not cover the expense of hearing aids....yes, even to profoundly deaf people such as Adrian. Each hearing aid will cost approximately $2500, not including doctor's exams, mutliple hearing tests/evaluations, ear mold fittings, co-pays, & transportation costs to and from all of these appointments. This is why Adrian needs our help.
Adrian is a coach/father/mentor who will help anyone in need. It's time he was the one receiving the help.
Please! Reach into your hearts and donate today!
Thank you!
South Colonie Youth Baseball League President Rich Currao
See Coach Ayala in action:
Organizer
Kristina Morgan
Organizer
Albany, NY