Help fund Tommy's hearing aids

Hi, my name is Tommy Gibson. I am a 64-year-old blind massage therapist and energy healer.

I lost my sight from cytomegalovirus (CMV), an opportunistic disease caused by AIDS/HIV. It was diagnosed in December 1995. The CMV ate holes in my retinas and destroyed them. In 13 months, I had over two dozen eye surgeries to save some of my vision.

I went blind in December 2002. Two months later, the Lewes Lions Club sponsored my trip to the Leader Dog Guide Dog School training in Rochester Hills, Michigan. My first guide dog was a Black German Shepherd named Dakota. I never thought I would be able to walk by myself in a park or to the many local merchants I frequented - and Dakota gave me my freedom back. My second guide dog was a yellow lab named Opus from Guiding Eyes in Yorktown Heights, NY. My third and current guide is Argo, a black lab from Guiding Eyes.

My guide dogs have given me much freedom and mobility, such as being able to travel alone. You can regularly see Argo and me traveling along Route 1, going to work and visiting local businesses.

As a blind person, I have learned to rely on my other senses. Hearing is a significant component. While walking with Argo, I must pay attention to traffic sounds. Argo keeps me from running into things and keeps me safe on our travels, but as well-trained as he is, I still have to be aware of traffic patterns when we cross the highway and the many entrances along Route 1.

I have noticed a change in my hearing ability in the past few months. I was starting to have problems telling which direction sounds were coming from. I also was having trouble hearing people when they spoke to me. This realization made me very uncomfortable and increased my anxiety.

I went to an audiologist and was told I needed hearing aids.

This examination explained that my ears had a significant loss in specific decibel ranges and that I did not hear the range most female voices are in.

The device they had me try is placed on the outside of the ear with a little wand that contains a speaker, so I would still get the sounds I could hear. It was programmed to enhance the degraded frequencies and amplify the frequencies I could not hear. I tried them on, and what a world of difference. It was as if the fog I was in was lifted.

The cost for the Miracle-Ear pair is what I need help raising funds for. Any help you can give me is greatly appreciated. This is an investment in keeping Argo and myself safe while traveling as a team. Thank you for all the love & support. It means the world to me knowing that I have a supportive community.

With gratitude,

Tommy

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From Dimitra Yoga:

Tommy has been a part of our team since 2006. He is what we call "The man with the magic hands". He is an incredible massage therapist & healer, and having him be a part of our DY family is a gift. Thank you for helping us raise money to help him out!