[Pud]

I will try to keep it brief and not harp on. I wanted to say this but it is personal and would probably be better in the personal section so please be kind people.

Those of you that have met me have probably struggled to understand what I'm saying and have probably wondered why I talk like I do. The reason is that I had quite severe hearing problems as a child. I was only able to make myself understood at all by anyone other than my family after a LOT of sessions with a speach therapist. She even had to teach me how to say yes. It is strange I remember that as I remember very little else about it.

The memories that are very clear however are my memories of infant school. I remember the regular occurance of a crowd of children round me and people saying "say...." and me trying to say it and everyone laughing. I seemed to be the main sourse of entertainment at that school.

It may not seem like much but it was infant school, I was around 5 to 7 years old and couldn't hear or talk very well. If it was to happen to me now as an adult maybe I would walk away, not say the words I was being told to say, but I wan't an adult.

I thought I was different to everyone else, no one was like me, I was a freak, abnormal, I shouldn't really exist. Ok there were other issues to do with that but the hearing/speach/other children were a big part of it.

I wasn't deaf, I just had a hearing problem. Something very simple and was solved with gomits when I was 7. So what the hell is it like for children that are deaf? The one thing that stood out for me when I read about NDCS was that it lets the children know it's not just them. They are normal, worthy children. They aren't freaks. (I can't remember how it was put but that is what it said to me)

They need that.

Despite only having a simple hearing problem which was solved when I was 7 years old it is still something I have to deal with every day at the age of 36 (my speach will never be any better than it is now)

That is why I really really hope this charity does well and I am 100% behind the 24 peaks team - thankyou.

*still debating wether to click post new topic or not*

[GJ Peck]

Thanks for this Helen, and thanks for posting it here, rather than in PN+I.

It's always great to know that we're supporting something that means something *real* to people that we know.

I'm personally really grateful for the support that *you're* giving us in this (and everyone else too - you're all being simply amazing, and a thankyou just isn't enough, really), and I'm sure the rest of the team feel that way too.

I know when it comes down to it, it's the six of us who have to haul our sorry asses up and down those mountains (and Nat and Shiny who'll also be around at stupid )'clock ferrying us around and helping us not to die), but it really feels like this is a massive Join Me effort, and that everybody is getting involved and doing their bit in whatever way they can.

For that, I'm very proud of you all and so so so grateful.

H.

xx.

[SJ Del (The Train Man)]

Pud, we haven't met (although we will at GGF) and had *no idea* about this. I think it's great that you have posted this and it brings home what the money raised will mean for the kids.

Hol, it's also us that's so proud of you guys. What you are putting yourselves through to help others is fantastic and I, for one, just wish I could do more to help you all.

[Joinee WEG]

Wow, Pud, I never knew that but I am glad that you posted it! And go you for new wristbands!

Our school has a deaf unit in it, right in the middle. Whilst some pupils are completely deaf and are taught there all of the time, they are still placed within tutor groups and mix with the other pupils.

There are other pupils who are hearing-impaired, like crazy ginger Jordan in my Year 8. Again, I really like the fact he, along with others, is taught within a mainstream context.

Danielle, in my Year 11, is also hearing-impaired and said she felt in limbo for years - neither part of the 'speaking' world, nor part of the 'deaf' world. Now she wants to work with deaf kids in the future in a counselling role.

So, go 24 Peaks and roll on payday!

[KrisR1980]

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This post has been edited by KrisR1980: 11 May 2007 - 06:40 PM

[G J Katie]

I had hearing problems when I was little but luckily they never affected my speech.

I'm sorry someone as lovely as you went through this struggle Helen.

It is lovely to know just how much people do need the support this charity offers. Go you 24 Peakers! A more than worthy cause indeed.

Sometimes people don't think about what their money does when they give to a charity. A story like this makes you stop and think.

Thank you Helen!

x