The NDCS: They Need Someone To Listen - Because They Can’t...

Thank you very much for visiting my blog! I’m Eleanor, and I am very grateful that you have shown an interest in an issue that I feel strongly about – helping and supporting deaf children and their families. For my Citizenship GCSE, I have chosen to advocate for the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS). I would like to raise awareness of the day-to-day problems that deaf children face, gain your support for my advocacy issue, and also change any negative opinions/attitudes you may have towards deaf people. Once you have read my blog, I hope you will feel a bit more informed about everyday life as a deaf child, the NDCS, and what you can do to help/support them...

Not many people seem to be aware of the everyday struggles that deaf people face, or the amount of support that the families and children need. I feel that deaf children are very much misunderstood and stereotyped in society and would like help other people realise they aren’t ‘weird’ or ‘stupid’, they are deaf, and can’t help being that way.

This is Charlie’s story...

At 18 months, Charlie was diagnosed as profoundly deaf in both ears. He was fitted with hearing aids, and told to trial them to see if they made any improvements... but they didn’t. At the age of two, Charlie still wasn’t responding to, or showing signs of picking up any sounds. The key time for developing language, is when you’re a toddler, so not being able to hear these sounds, was impacting on Charlie’s speech... Failing to make progress with his language, Charlie was falling behind.

Charlie’s parents didn’t know what to do - finding out that your child is deaf is one thing, but receiving the needed help and advice, is another…. That was until they found out about the NDCS. After asking for information on what other choices Charlie might have (as an alternative to hearing aids), Charlie’s parents found out that there were quite a few options to try.

They decided that they would try Charlie with cochlear implants, and almost immediately, he started responding to basic sounds, picking up noises, and trying to repeat them. From there, his speech has developed significantly and, although he may still be a bit behind other toddlers his age, he is definitely progressing. He is also learning British Sign Language (BSL), which will hopefully enable Charlie’s family to communicate with him more successfully...

Not only do the NDCS say where families can receive help, but also how they can help and provide the right environment for their children at home etc. BUT... this can only continue with your help, as 95% of all the work the NDCS does, is funded by public donations. And with 800 deaf children being born worldwide every day – not even counting the amount of people who become deaf as they grow up – there is a growing sense of urgency to keep the NDCS alive. If not, then how can it continue supporting families like Charlie’s, and campaigning to make the UK (and the rest of the world) a fairer place for deaf children - and the wider deaf community...

At the moment, you may be thinking, it doesn’t affect me, so why should I care, when the truth is, that it could affect you, or someone close to your heart. Today, approximately 100 families in the UK will hear (well, maybe not hear), but be told that someone in their family suffers from a form of deafness… Tomorrow, it could be you, your child, or a close friend; would you know where to get advice from? I hope that now you’ve read my blog, you would advise that person, or remember for yourself, to check the NDCS website (http://www.ndcs.org.uk/).

Thank you again, for taking the time to read my blog, I would really appreciate it if you could post a comment with your thoughts – or specifically a quick response to the following questions… Please, don’t be deaf to deafness!

• Had you heard about the NDCS and what they do before you read my blog?
• Do you now feel more informed about the NDCS and the problems caused by deafness?
• Would you now be prepared to…

1. Make a donation to the NDCS?
2. Sign one of their many online petitions/campaigns (e-petitions)?
3. Start or participate in a fundraising activity – cake-sale, sponsored silence etc.?
4. Subscribe to the free seasonal magazine?
5. Tell your family and friends about the NDCS, and see if they will support the NDCS by helping out in any of the above ways.

Finally, please could you tell me where you live (hometown & country – if outside the UK)…

Thanks,
Eleanor x