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Board Members ALDA-Peach The Atlanta chapter of the Association of Late-Deafened Adults |
Board Members
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ALDA-Peach 2012 Board of Directors
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President Yael Shaner president[at]aldapeach.org |
Yael grew up with a deaf left ear, but the hearing in her right ear was mostly normal until a sudden drop in December 2006. When she started searching online for information and support, she found ALDA-Peach. As soon as she got on-line with the Peaches, she felt she had found a home! She received so much support and encouragement that it motivated her to apply to the 2-year Gallaudet Peer Mentoring Program. She was accepted and now finds herself in the middle of an interesting and demanding program. Yael is Vice-President of ALDA-Peach as well as co-editor of the ALDA-Peach FUZZ newsletter, and gladly accepts all articles given to her! At home, she takes care of her beautiful babies: 2 miniature poodles and a kitty. |
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Vice-President Kristin Stansell vicepresident[at]aldapeach.org |
Kristin was in an auto accident in 2005 near where she studied
for her Masters in Photography in Dundee, Scotland. She
experienced an injury to her head which put her into a coma for
4 months. This occurred 2 months prior to her graduation,
needless to say she did not graduate but she lived! The School
of St. Andrews University, where she was studying, flew her home
to Atlanta, GA. She has been through the rough transition of finding yourself in a new culture. She spends her time typing on the computer; writing in her book about this injury and about the process of recovery. The injuries and recovery that she has experienced have motivated her to encourage others. She is dedicated to use what she has learned from her sudden hearing loss and loss of balance to help others live “a normal life”. Sometimes one needs assistance, mechanical help, or guidance but they can always live a positive and happy life if pointed in the right direction. Kristin wants to be heard but has mild aphasia (unclear speech) and she is legally Deaf. Therefore, she writes on her DynaVox/ Lightwriter or computer. She was and desires to be extremely social to help, encourage and to motivate others. She has found that she can do this with ALDA-Peach! She says “Life is good and you have it now so spend it with vibrancy!!!!!!!!!!” |
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Secretary Roxanne Gasaway secretary[at]aldapeach.org |
Roxanne has been with ALDA-Peach since it was founded 10 years
ago. She has neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a genetic disorder
that caused tumors to grow on the hearing and balance nerves in
both ears, and she has been completely deaf for over 30 years.
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Treasurer Xantha Burghardt treasurer[at]aldapeach.org |
Xantha has been a member of ALDA-Peach since 2008. She moved to
Atlanta from New Jersey to work for a local architecture firm as
a database administrator. Some of her ALDA-Peach related passions include: - open captioning in theaters - advocating for herself and others - hearing aids and hearing technology - accessibility She’s always eager to educate others on how to communicate with those with hearing loss. Growing up with a great support system, Xantha has had a hearing aid in her right ear since high school and has had an Advanced Bionics cochlear implant in her left ear since 2009. Every day brings her a CI moment and a "whatever works" moment. In her spare time outside work, she enjoys exploring Georgia and the east coast seaboard with her dog. |
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Member-at-Large John Esmay memberatlarge[at]aldapeach.org |
Childhood illnesses took John's hearing in his left ear at about
age 12. Stubborn ear infections necessitated removal the small
bones behind the ear drum meaning there is no way for sound to
be transmitted to the hearing nerve in the left ear.
Fortunately the right ear was unaffected.
With great fortune John qualified for Cochlear Implant surgery,
had the surgery that August, and activation September 2005.
CI hearing is not the same as “normal” hearing, but it has been
way better than the alternative.
While learning about deafness, John searched all kinds of
resources. The most relevant to him was ALDA-Peach.
Initially, work kept him from being physically present, but he
"lurked" on the Web, monitoring the conversations. The
knowledge, grace, and caring of the members was an inspiration
to him until he could actively participate in the meetings. John wishes to thank ALDA-Peach. |
| ALDA-Peach Board of Directors Mail List | |
| Website Address of the list: | http://groups.google.com/group/alda-peach-board |
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Send a message to the list: (you have to be a board member) |
board@aldapeach.org or alda-peach-board@googlegroups.com |
