Auditory Verbal Graduate - Plans to Obtain her M.D.- Ph.D. and Pursue Research in Otolaryngology.

Congratulations to one of my auditory verbal graduates Caroline Yuk who is a psychology and biology major combined with a minor in computing technological sciences. She plans to obtain her M.D.- Ph.D. and pursue research in Otolaryngology.  As a cochlear implant recipient, she understands first-hand the importance of merging technology with medicine. Caroline was recently awarded an AG Bell’s scholarship for students with hearing loss to Engage in Auditory Research Program (STEMM-HEAR), supported by the Hearst Foundations. 

Read more about her in the lastest Volta Voices AG Bell magazine. 

Where does the time go? 

I was Caroline's oldest brother's auditory verbal therapist and also Caroline's the youngest of a set of twins. 

I  am honored to have worked closely with this committed family who did what it took for their children to accomplish a listening and spoken language outcome.

Cochlear Celebration 2019

I spy a couple teens I know 👋🏼👋🏼. 

Can’t wait to hear about Cochlear Celebration 2019 ! 

Thanks for the pic!

AV Graduate living the LSL Life!

LSL Leads to Beautiful Destinaitons

Enjoyable brunch with Ally, one of my Auditory Verbal graduates and her Mom Lisa. Unstoppable Ally, a high school senior has already been accepted at her 1st choice university. Grateful that your parents allowed me to guide them along the LSL (listening and spoken language) journey. We’ve come a long way together but challenging roads lead to beautiful destinations. 

(We really should have taken our photo before walking out the door.)

Aria - The Word Snatcher

I met Aria at a few months of age when she began auditory verbal therapy. Her parents were still in shock of her diagnosis but have never let profound hearing loss define their family. It is hard to believe Aria's Mom was not an English speaker when we first met. They learned English together.

This family does what it takes, follows the LSL Auditory Verbal Principles and have not wavered in their dedication and commitment for Aria to learn to listen and talk, which powers literacy, academic and lifetime success. Today Aria hears with two cochlear implants, uses Listening and Spoken Language is an independent middle schooler with many friends and interests. Aria is a talented illustrator, a lover of art, an avid reader and an obsessive fan of Harry Potter. She has the musical Hamilton memorized! 

Last week, Aria acted in her school play, the Phantom Tollbooth. Ironically, Aria played the part of the Word Snatcher. Way to go Aria!

Aria and I in May of 2017 at her art show.

Auditory Verbal Graduate Marches in the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade

Congrats to Ally Breen one of my auditory verbal graduates who marched today in the 2019 Tournament of Roses Parade with Illinois’s Lincoln-Way Central High School Marching Band and Colorguard. 

Ally hears with bilateral cochlear implants and represents children with hearing loss who use Listening and Spoken Language (LSL) to reach their full potential. LSL powers spoken language, literacy, and lifetime success. If you want to know more about LSL head over to www.HearingFirst.org.

Ally a junior in HS has received early acceptance at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee her dream college.  So proud of you Ally! No limits.

No Limits! Jr National Developmental Gymnastic

Congratulations to KJ Richardson who earned a spot on the Jr National Developmental Gymnastic Team! KJ tied for 10th place in the Future Star National Championships for 11-year-olds at the United States Olympic Training Center. KJ’s talent, work effort, and commitment are awe-inspiring. KJ is an overcomer and an Auditory - Verbal superstar. KJ born deaf hears with cochlear implants and has remarkable spoken language, literacy, and academic abilities. KJ is kind, confident and very social. 

I could not be any prouder of KJ and his family - no limits! I began guiding and coaching the Richardson family soon after he was fit with hearing aids about 4 months of age.

Auditory Verbal Graduate Headed To Venice!

Matt is one of my Auditory Verbal graduates.  Matt’s success is no accident rather he has overcome obstacles related to hearing loss, worked hard, persevered, and never gave up. He has quite a story to share! I am so very proud of him and his family. Way to go Matt!

AV Graduate Anthony Alfano Featured In Chicago Lighthouses On The Mag Mile

I am so excited to share that Anthony Alfano, one of my AV graduates is featured in Lighthouses on the Mag Mile, a public art display celebrating access and inclusion for people with disabilities from The Chicago Lighthouse Deaf-Blind Program . Fifty-one 6 foot lighthouse sculptures on North Michigan Avenue are catching the public’s eye and capture their hearts this summer. 

Anthony is pictured as King Cole the merry old soul. His chair became his throne as he calls for his pipe, bowl and fiddlers three. Rich Green’s illustrations on the lighthouse will be soon to be published book, Chicago Treasure that features photos of children from all over Chicago in leading roles of classic fairy tales, nursery rhymes and folk tales. Proceeds from sales will be donated to The Chicago Lighthouse for People who are Blind or Visually Impaired, and Access Living.

Amazing Megan Swanson Is Back Again!

Megan one of my AVT graduates, a 2018 Netflix's Nailed It contestant, and the 2017 Miss Amazing Miss National Winner will be speaking at the AG Bell Convention in Arizona this Saturday on the "Experiences in the Workplace" panel sharing stories, experiences, and tips about integrating hearing loss, work and career. Megan will be joined by Justin Osmond and Elena LaQuatra at the Experiences in the Workplace Panel.

After years of listening and spoken language intervention, I am looking forward to being in the audience listening to Megan speak and share her words of wisdom.

 Yes, Megan is AMAZING!

A Listening and Spoken Language Journey - 20 Years Later

Dear Skye Serena,

I have many wonderful memories of week after week and year after year together with you and your family as you learned to listen and talk. I am grateful your family trusted me to guide and come beside them as your auditory verbal therapist twenty years ago. Take pride in how far you have come and have faith in how far you can go.

You are amazing.

Love,

Lynn

Skye and Lynn  - June 2018

"One day our patients will be able to tell their own stories, and we will no longer have to convince naysayers that deaf children can listen and speak." Richard T. Miyamoto, M.D.

20 Years Ago

Your first long awaited cochlear implant surgery.

Children's Miracle Network - so fun to see you posted at Speedway stations!

It takes a village. Three generations of strong women!

Remarkable Scripps National Spelling Bee Contestant

Do you remember my friend, Neil Maes the incredibly talented fifth-grader who made it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee in 2016? This year on March 3rd (National Hearing Day), Neil competed at Regionals and was 2nd place!!!! The winner goes to the National Bee in May 2018.

Neil is an amazing speller, with an incredible vocabulary, high literacy and so happens to have been born deaf. His mastery of spoken language and literacy is a result the fierce determination of his parents Peter and Christy.

Megan Swanson AVT- Netflix Nailed It Contestant

Megan Swanson, Miss Amazing strikes again. Watch Megan this time star on the Netflix Show, Nailed It. Season 1 Episode 4. Megan hears with a cochlear implant, is one of my LSL Auditory Verbal Graduates, an AG Bell Loft Alumnus and won Miss Amazing Miss 2017. Megan is an "amazing" role model for others listening and spoken language. 

Freestyle Gold Medal Winner Listens With Hearing Aids

Congratulations to Caleb who won the Gold Medal in the 25-meter freestyle🥇and now going to state! When not in the pool Caleb wears hearing aids and was on my caseload for many years. 

Proud of you Caleb!

Courtney Huellen Future LSL Therapist - Recognized By ISU

Congratulations Courtney Huellen on her recognition by the  Illinois State University CSD Department · January 28. 

Courtney "would like to earn the Listening and Spoken Language certification from AG Bell after she graduates with her master's degree because working with people who have hearing loss is something she is passionate about. Courtney’s dream job would be to serve on a pediatric cochlear implant team as the SLP and help children reach their Spoken language goals!...

At ISU she has served as both the secretary and Vice President for NSSLHA. She has also volunteered with Alpha Phi Omega and Choose to Shine. During spring break 2017, Courtney had the amazing opportunity to study abroad in Spain!"

Courtney is the oldest of four children.  Two of her siblings have Usher's Syndrome, are Listening and Spoken Language SUPERSTARS and hear with cochlear implants.Courtney's sister Brittany is one of my AVT graduates now a freshman in college pursuing special education as a teacher of the deaf/hard of hearing.

I am proud of these sisters and their desire to give back making it possible so other children who are deaf or hard of hearing learn to listen and talk, which powers language, literacy, and lifetime success.

Who is the AVT Graduate?

Can you tell which cheerleader is one of my Auditory Verbal graduates?

 I didn't think so. You wouldn't in person either. 

She is a great listener, uses clear speech and her spoken language skills are on par with her hearing high school peers!

Competition season started! Good luck ladies!

Auditory Verbal Graduate - Honored As The Student Of The Month

Very proud of Emma who was honored today as Student of the Month at her high school of 2600+ students! Emma is a freshman,  an overcomer who has not let her hearing loss stand in the way of success. Emma is on the JV/Varsity Girls Golf Team, in Jazz dance, is an equestrian and most passionate about her horse Snoop. She is a member of the Zoology and Peer Leadership club at Lyons Township HS in a Chicago suburb.

I am thankful to have guided Emma’s family on their Auditory Verbal journey. Emma’s listens and talks, uses cochlear implants and has a lifetime success ahead.  “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.”

This is one of my favorite pictures of Emma holding our dog Jade.

2009

The Right to Work

Read a new article about Megan Swanson one of my AV graduates who won Miss Amazing Miss 2017 and two others who prove that women with disabilities could be your best employees. Thanks to Miss Amazing, hundreds of girls and women with disabilities have had the opportunity to gain communication and self-advocacy skills that translate into the workplace.

October marks National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and many people with disabilities struggle to find and keep jobs. Currently, the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is 10.5%. That’s compared to 4.5% for people without disabilities. So often, this problem is perpetuated by the unawareness of the strengths that people with disabilities can bring to the table. In fact, it’s been proven that companies that hire people with disabilities are better able to innovate and nurture a stronger sense of loyalty among their customers and employees. 

Read on at:

 https://medium.com/miss-amaz…/the-right-to-work-1ffaec375490

LOFT Graduate Wins National Miss Amazing

Megan Swanson, one of my AV graduates was recognized in the AG Bell Associations' Featured News for winning the 2017 National Miss Amazing Miss Title.

Auditory Verbal Graduate - Baseball HS Team

Loved cheering on one of my remarkable Auditory Verbal

 graduates at his HS baseball games tonight. 

Thankful to have had the opportunity to guide his parents

 and for their commitment to listening, spoken language and lifetime success.

So proud of you all!