Monday, April 10 , 2017

H.O.P.E. Discussion Group: 5:30 PM

Social Time: 6:30PM

Educational Program: 7:00 PM

Topic: Stress & Hearing Loss: How to Cope

Facilitator: Dr Elizabeth Kimbrough MD

Dr. Kimbrough, MD is board certified in

Internal Medicine and Integrative Medi-

cine. She received training in acupuncture

and mind body studies at UCLA, Universi-

ty of Wisconsin at Madison, Mayo, and

Harvard, and is a member of the Academy

of Integrative Health and Medicine. She is specifical-

ly involved in using mind-body medicine, supplement

review and acupuncture.

Dr. Kimbrough gave an excellent interactive program

for our chapter two years ago. Many of our members

asked that she be invited back.

See you at the April meeting!

Your Fox Valley Chapter Board of Trustees

Chapter PRIDE in a BIG WAY!!!

This HLAA chapter is special, and it has

many extra special dedicated people within!

Congratulations are in order to Nancy & Dave Gil-

bertson for their dedication to get the HOPE Discus-

sion Group established. HOPE was started because

many of us realized that HLAA meetings had moved

away from the ‘self help’ format, to a more education-

al format. New people, especially, were not getting

their personal questions answered, and wanted to

participate in a format that allowed time for the ba-

sics. Nancy identified this the first time she came to

a meeting! Most important, she offered to help estab-

lish HOPE so people could Hear Other People’s Expe-

riences! Dave has been by her side from day one!

We are proud to announce that Nancy & Dave have

been honored with a national “Spirit of HLAA

Award”, AND, Nancy has been awarded the much

coveted Rocky & Ahme Stone Endowment Scholar-

ship that will help cover their costs to attend the

2017 National HLAA Convention!

The chapter will provide a stipend to

cover the rest of their expenses.

Congratulations & Thanks to

Nancy & Dave Gilbertson!!!

Chapter meetings are held at the Unitarian Universalist

Fellowship in Appleton. Address: 2600 Philip Lane. (Just

off of E. Calumet St.) Map available at: www.fvuuf.org

NOTE: HLAA is not affiliated with UUF or any religious

group. We appreciate being able to rent the accessible

facility at UUF for our meetings.

Fox Valley Chapter News Volume 32 Issue 2 ~ April 2017

...And There’s More….

Because of the success of HOPE, and oth-

er chapter projects, including the CI

group, excellent programs, great newslet-

ter, chapter growth with increased national member-

ship and more, Fox Valley Chapter will receive

the “Chapter on a Mission Award” from Nation-

al HLAA. Awards will be presented at the 2017 Na-

tional HLAA Convention in Salt Lake City in June.

Submitted by Julie Olson

Thank you to John Meissner from Op-

tions for Independent Living for pre-

senting the March program on ‘Gadgets’.

John showed us about a variety of gadgets

that help people who have disabilities. HOPE

discussion focused on those that help people

with hearing loss. It was interesting to see

all the unique items that are available.

Everyone was encouraged to visit Options Accessible Home in

Green Bay. Options Appleton office that was located in the

Thompson Center is now at 2332 Lourdes Drive in Appleton.

Anyone out there who likes to keep scrap-

books? We have chapter books that date

back to our beginning in 1983...looking for

someone to update them! If interested,

contact Julie Olson julieo@athenet.net 920-202-6449

(text preferred, or leave a message so I can call back.)

HLAA Fox Valley Regional Chapter is an affiliate of the national Hear-

ing Loss Association of America, Inc. This chapter does not collect dues,

and is dependent on donations, sponsorships, and occasional fund rais-

ing projects. We encourage you to become ‘members’ by paying dues to

national HLAA. They are $35/year for an individual; $45/year for a

family. Pay online at: www.hearingloss.org/content/join HLAA’s office

is in Bethesda MD. HLAA at all levels is a 501c3 non-profit organ-

ization. Fox Valley Chapter will receive a $10 rebate for national dues paid by people in our region.

By adding your name to HLAA membership roles, you help us help mil-lions!

HLAA’s mission is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy.

“THIS IS YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING”

We are cruising at an ever increasing speed

toward this year’s Walk4Hearing in Green-

field Park in West Allis, WI.

Estimated time of arrival is 9 AM on Satur-

day, May 13th.

The Fox Trotters team is seeking more mem-

bers to participate in the Walk. Co-Captain

Russ will join me in piloting the Fox Express.

There are four more coveted window seats

available. Additional craft will be added to the fleet as re-

quired. Sign up to come along at the April meeting!

The weather at our destination promises balmy tempera-

tures conducive to our spring fling. What a great way to

spend a Saturday morning.

Enjoy a complimentary breakfast before the Walk starts

Collect your participant T-shirt*

Mingle with kindred spirits

Eradicate the stigma of hearing loss

Network and make new friends

Browse the exhibit tables

Raise public awareness about hearing loss

Flaunt your foxtails (a perk awarded to Fox Trotter

team members)

Raise some moolah for HLAA!

Please unfasten your seatbelt and start getting in shape for

the May Walk4Hearing. Www.walk4hearing.org

Do NOT remain seated. Contact me at:

bommaklessig@gmail.com to join the team or do-

nate, or go to www.walk4hearing to Milwaukee

Walk & Fox Trotter’s Team.

As always, thank you for walking with HLAA.

Over and out for now.

Team Captain Christine Klessig

*T-shirts are awarded to walkers who raise $100 or more in

pledges.

Greetings everyone!

Your chapter has 7 board members, each

takes on responsibilities that require some time. I

know you appreciate that! But we do need your

help! Jo Kintopf-Crabb is unable to continue her

term as chapter president. She was president several years ago,

and had offered to lead reluctantly because she spends 5

months in Florida. She is moving from Appleton to Oshkosh in

May, and is simply too busy to fulfill this role. I will continue

as “Acting President” temporarily, but I cannot do this for

long. I am working with another organization that I would like

to dedicate my time to.

If you are willing and able to get more involved in our

chapter, please contact me. ( cvanrooy@yahoo.com). We are

looking for someone who loves to help others, raise awareness,

share information and connect with others. Board members

must also use e-mail.

The last few years, we have had an amazing time of

growth and positive change. It takes many individuals to con-

tinue the work we are doing, it’s people like all of you, who

make a difference. If you are ready to step up and help our

board, we are actively searching for you. We have a solid

board, quality programs each month, H.O.P.E., CI Support

group and a monthly newsletter. We are all volunteers who

have taken our turn and are doing our share. New people

bring new energy, fresh ideas and possibilities. Thank you all

for your support and help you continue to provide, please con-

sider this sincere appeal. I hope to hear from you. We all want

to see HLAA Fox Valley Chapter continue.

Colleen Van Rooy, “Acting”President

Our condolences to LeRoy Sauer and the Sauer

family on the passing of LeRoy’s wife Sylvia. LeRoy

& Sylvia were actively involved as volunteers in

this chapter for many years. Rest in Peace Sylvia.

The Sponsor Program is Fox Valley Chapter’s main fundraiser. Letters were sent to previous & poten-tial donors in February. Donations received prior to March 20th, when this edition went to press, are credited below. Donors will be added as they are received. Thank you to eve-ryone who has supported Fox Valley Chapter this way. NOTE: If your name or business is not listed correctly, please let us know immediately. (Contact information is on page 4.)

Thank you !

2017 Chapter Sponsors

Platinum Level ($200 or More) Anonymous X 2 About Better Care Audiology – Stephanie Long AuD Ear Nose & Throat Surgical Associates Kristin Borgen AuD, Beth Gabavics AuD & Nicole Maxam CCC-A Fox Valley Hearing Center, Inc. Haviland Hearing Aids Inc. Peter J. Zellmer, AuD & Kyle Martell, AuD Hearing Clinics of Wisconsin, Inc. Robert Broeckert MS-CCC-A Rural Audiology Services Kari Kramer AuD & Becky Franz MS CCC-A Tom & Linda O’Connor - Ray & Betty Smith Stan & Jane Whiteman Gold Level ($100 - $199) Russell Brodtke, James Cuene, Betsy Foley, Christine Klessig, Michael & Susan Landreman, Barbara Merry, Ju-lie Reisinger, Ear, Nose & Throat Surgical Associates, Juliette Sterkens & LeRoy Maxfield, Walt & Phyllis Ziemke Silver Level ($50 - $99) Jim & Rhonda Bartelt, Jo Kintopf-Crabb, Elizabeth Ginke, Mary Ginke, Charlie & Betsy Hansen, Ione Muehlenbein (in memory of Paul Muehlenbein), Julie & John Olson, Ste-vie Schmidt, Lyle & Phyllis Sconzert, Russ & Barb Soder-berg, Jerry & Phyllis Van Handel, Gene & ‘T’ Van Asten, Jan & Diane Veenendaal, Shirley & Earl Younk, Paul & Harriet Zuiker Bronze Level ($25 - $49)

Mary Fritsch, Kevin Gossens, Donald & Lois Kunde, James Hemmen, H. Jay Huguet, Myrtle & Raymond Morris, Sha-ron Salm, Mary & Kenneth Walter, Katie Weber

We are grateful to these Sponsors for their generosi-ty and support of HLAA Fox Valley Chapter. Their support allows us to print & circulate this newsletter, to hold regular meetings, to provide information & materials to those who attend our meetings, do out-reach programs when asked, educate ourselves on new technology & so much more.

Our meetings are open to the public.

Tax deductible donations can be sent to: HLAA-FVC Treasurer, P.O. Box 25, Menasha WI 54952-0025. The chapter is a registered 501(c)3 non profit. NOTE: We are also grateful to the members who con-tribute personal resources of time, energy, mileage and much more.

New Rules on Captioning in Theaters

The new rules by the U. S. Dept. of Justice, which took effect on January 17, require movie theaters to provide the necessary equipment for closed movie captioning and audio description. However, there are some conditions that we need to be aware of:

The new rules apply only to movie theaters that have the ability to show movies in a digital format.

Movie theaters that have captioning devices now, must, as of January 17, notify the public about the devices and have staff to assist patrons with the devices.

Movie theaters that have been providing digital showings of movies since December 2016 but don’t yet have caption-ing devices have until June 2, 2018 to come into compli-ance.

Theaters must have a minimum number of devices available based on the number of screens they have: for one screen, they must have a minimum of four devices; for 2-7 screens, six devices; 8-15 screens, eight devices; 16 or more screens, 12 devices.

The rule does not require a movie theater to provide open captioning. However, a theater may choose to do so.

For more information see the January/February issue of Hearing Loss Magazine, HLAA’s advocacy column which focused on the new rules issued by DOJ regarding movie thea-ter compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for movie captioning and audio description.

Movie theaters in our area have devices available. Please re-member to request them when you ‘go to the show’. When they are not used, we give the impression they are not needed or important to us. People with hearing loss have advocated for years for technology that keeps them in the mainstream. Please use it!

Disclaimer—HLAA does not endorse products or services. Men-

tion of such is intended to provide readers & those who attend

meetings with information on products or services that might

be of interest, & is not a recommendation or endorsement.

CDC Study: One in Four US Adults who Report Good Hearing Already Have Hearing Loss

According to the new study, about 40 million US adults

aged 20-69 have hearing damage in one or both ears that

may be due to noise exposure. The Center for Disease

Control found that more half (53%) of those report no expo-

sure to loud noise at work. Based

on the information they provided,

researchers believe their exposure

to loud sounds comes from every-

day activities in their homes and

communities. It’s a Noisy World

with a common problem!

HLAA-Fox Valley Chapter

P.O. Box 25

Menasha WI 54952-0025

2017 HLAA-Fox Valley Chapter Board

Chair: Vacant

Past Chair: Colleen Van Rooy: cvanrooy@yahoo.com

Vice President & H.O.P.E. Chair: Nancy Gilbertson

nancy.gilbertson2@gmail.com

Treasurer: Jane Young: YBLUEJAY@aol.com

Secretary: Christine Klessig bommaklessig@gmail.com

Corresponding Secretary: Jo Kintopf-Crabb:

jkjo@milwpc.com

Programs & Cochlear Implant Group Chair: Rhonda

Clancey: rclancey@hotmail.com

Newsletter Editor: Julie Olson: julieo@athenet.net

Phone Contact: ‘T’ Van Asten 920-420-8462 (Use 920 if not using cell phone.)

Chapter e-mail: hlaafoxvalley@gmail.com

Support Crew: Dave Gilbertson & Bob Opsteen - Room

Set-up, ‘’T” Van Asten –Phone & Kitchen, Gene Van As-

ten-Outreach, Lorna Hamilton, Jane Young & Yvette

Sanpaka - Newsletter Preparation.

Chapter e-mail: hlaafoxvalley@gmail.com

2017 Chapter Calendar

April 10—Coping with stress created by hearing loss.

April 17—Cochlear Implant Support Group meets

April 19—Legislative Day for People with Hearing Loss

April 22—HLAA-WI Spring Meeting at Neenah Library

May 8– What is CART and how is it funded?

May 13—Walk4Hearing in Milwaukee

June 12—‘Bimodal’ Hearing (Using a cochlear implant & H. aid)

June 22-25 National HLAA Convention in Salt Lake City

July 10– Chapter Picnic Social (Watch for more information.)

August 14—Disaster Preparedness for people with hearing loss.

September 11—Dementia & Hearing Loss: is there a connection?

October 9– Safety in our homes when we have hearing loss.

November 13—What are Cochlear Implants?

December 11—Holiday Social (Watch for more information)

This newsletter serves as our meeting notice. Please

sign up to receive it. “T” 920-420-8462 or e-mail:

julieo@athenet.net It can come via regular mail or e-mail.

* HOPE discussion group is held prior to each chapter meet-

ing at 5:30. Come Hear Other People’s Experiences!

Meetings are open to all who want to learn more about how

Legislative Day for People with Hearing Loss

Wednesday April 19, 2017 in Madison 9AM—3PM.

HLAA-WI is partnering with the WI Assn. of

the Deaf (WAD) to promote an opportunity for

people with hearing loss to meet with their leg-

islators. Goal: To let them know that many of

our needs are not being met.

HLAA’s agenda is somewhat different

from WAD’s, but our interests overlap in many ways. We know

that hard of hearing people have not received consideration

they deserve; that hearing aids should be covered by Medicare

and other insurance policies, etc. We know that CART & hear-

ing loops can mean the difference between communication

access for hard of hearing people and being left out. It is time

to let the state decision makers know what we need. There is

no charge to attend this event, but you must register in ad-

vance.

9:00 AM—11:00 AM—Training session to help us know how to

work with our legislators.

11:00 AM—Noon: Lunch. 1:00 PM—3:00 PM: Opportunity to

meet with your individual legislators at the state capitol.

Please participate in this event. If there is sufficient interest

from chapter members, we will try to arrange car pooling. You

can sign up at the April Chapter meeting.

Registration required. www.hlaawi.org To make this

event matter for hard of hearing people, participa-

tion is urgent.

NOTE: An area of mutual concern is the need to have

mental health and substance abuse counselors

trained to work with both culturally Deaf people and

also with those who are hard of hearing. The lack of

such has been a serious void in the system for years. An

excellent article was recently written by Katherine Bouton,

the author of ‘Shouting Doesn’t Help’ on this topic. Access it

at http://katherinebouton.com (March 18th)

.

The Cochlear Implant educational support group will meet on Monday, April 17th at

6:00 PM. Meetings are held at Festival Foods in Neenah, 647 S. Green Bay Road. We

will meet in the upstairs meeting room at the back of the store this time. Elevator is

available. Meeting open to all who have or who are interested in cochlear implants. Contact: rclancey@hotmail.com

News from HLAA ‘The Nation’s Voice for People with HL”

HLAA Supports Over-the-Counter Hearing Aid Legislation

HLAA Submits Written Testimony in Support of Increased Funding for NIH (National Institutes of Health)

2017 M-Enabling Summit: Accessible Technologies and Environments for All

FCC Appoints HLAA to the Second Term of the Disability Advisory Committee

Links will take online viewers to these articles. Go to

www.hearingloss.org if you receive this in print form.