Miss International 2008 Farewell Letter

To accomodate some requests, I have posted my farewell letter from my year as Miss International 2008.

Jayna Altman – Miss International 2008 - Farewell Letter

I once heard that you can preach a better sermon with your life, than you can with your words. Therefore, I am and have used my life to serve as an example of confidence in living with a disability, or as I call it – a different ability.

It has been an incredible privilege and honor to serve as Miss International, and previously as Miss Missouri International. It has provided me with additional opportunities, in conjunction as a spokesperson for both Ability Beyond Disability and Special Olympics, to advocate on a global scale for different abilities (disabilities) through my programs – Abilities First and I CAN: Inspiring Confidence in Abilities Now.

In the past year and half, I have traveled over 150,000 miles visiting 4 different countries, and 168 cities allowing me the opportunity to assist in fundraising more than $15 million dollars for numerous charities. Given the gift of public speaking, I have worked with Pepsi, Pepsi Bottling Group, Hearing Loss Association of America, Central Institute for the Deaf, Starkey “So the World May Hear”, and many others. In addition, a personal highlight was meeting Warren Buffett.

While the extent of my reach has been great, the most memorable moments for me have always been attempting to learn French from Geoffrey, and the friendships I have made with the six gentlemen - Geoffrey, Mark, Keith, Michael, Gary, and Chad at Rich Drive with Ability Beyond Disability. They taught me how to play Wii, how to draw, and reminded me that I love trivia questions, but I am not a movie buff by any means. These treasured moments, along with conversations over pizza and cookies were my rewarding times in the midst of a busy schedule.

I loved hearing their stories, along with hearing the stories of several individuals with different abilities nationwide. Their words fueled my drive to continue to spread awareness and appreciation for different abilities (disabilities). To share a message of “I CAN” … that we can accomplish anything we set our minds to with early intervention, education, the right support group and a positive attitude, regardless of the obstacles or limitations that can come our way. It’s a message that is my passion, and my life!

It was predicted when I was born that I would never live a normal life. It’s true! Life, for me, is not normal. No, it’s extraordinary! A journey blessed by my spiritual creator, God who watched over me in my fight for life as a premature infant with numerous medical complications, and continues to watch over me in each adventure today. It is combined with a phenomenal support of my family – Randy, Marnelle, Ashley, Nancy, Connor, Marian, Ryan, Kayla, Harriet, Edna; and my friends/crew - Eve, Keitt, Jenny, Brian, Abby, Kelly, Layla, Alan, Alexi, Whitney, Courtney, Leah, Matt, Robin, Sharon, Lynda, Carol, Trish, Mark, John Tracy Clinic, Karen Rothwell-Vivian, Central Institute for the Deaf, Dr. William and Chris Clark, and many others who have been there for me every step of the way. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the love of God, my family, friends, and fabulous crew. You are all such an important part of my life!

I learned a long time ago that every person you meet has an impact on you, no matter how small. Mary and Mel Richardson – Thank you for your continued support and love throughout this past year. It is you two that provide a life changing journey for each young lady who becomes a part of our organization. Joey and Clay– Thank you for serving as incredible sponsors. Your services and support allow every lady to feel like royalty! Ability Beyond Disability, and Special Olympics – Thank you for the amazing opportunity to serve as a spokesperson for your organization. I am in awe of everything you do to support every person who comes to you! Cache, Massimo, Papillon Salon and Spa, Flemmings, and Aegis/MiTek - Thank you for serving as fantastic sponsors, and supporting me in this journey. Each of you contributed in your own special way, and together, we made a difference! Laine Berry – Thank you for serving as an incredible Mrs. International! You are a role model of perseverance and grace for heart survivors and pageant queens alike. It was a blessing to serve along side with you this past year! To my company, Aegis/MiTek and my fantastic boss, Tom – Thank you for your constant support, cooperation and patience. I couldn’t have juggled this year without your understanding! To all of the wonderful individuals that I have met along the way, and you know who you are… Thank you for your endless support and encouragement. I couldn’t have done it without you!

Remember … Never accept someone else's definition of you. Only you can define yourself and the life you want to live... the path you want to chart... and the difference you want to make in others lives. Create the life you dream of … and live it with passion! While we are not immune to life’s changes, both good and bad, we have the power to shape how we react to it, and how we will make a positive difference in the world around us. The future is shaped by those who
always believe in the power and beauty of their dreams!

Dare To Dream Big … Live Life with Passion … Make a Difference!

Jayna Altman
Miss International 2008
Miss Missouri International 2008
http://www.jaynaaltman.com/

Rebuilding Dreams at the John Tracy Clinic

Guidance, support and instruction for parents in the special skills necessary to help their children learn spoken language.

Kimberly was diagnosed with severe hearing loss at the age of five months. “Our dream was broken,” says her father, Henry.“We wanted her to speak both English and Chinese just like her older sister does,” says her mother, Ying. “We couldn’t imagine it then, and we were heartbroken.”

They bought Kimberly hearing aids, but they didn’t seem to help. When they learned about John Tracy Clinic, they called immediately. It happened to be a Tuesday and they were invited to sit in on a parent class that very night.

“Everyone was so friendly and helpful. It was like a little heaven,”says Ying.

The family joined JTC’s Parent/Infant Program soon after. They learned in parent class that children must have more amplification than adults have because children still need to learn speech and language. Without hearing the full range of sounds, Kimberly might never speak clearly.

“This was very difficult for us,” says Henry, “but the people at John Tracy Clinic never hesitated, and helped us with everything. They called our audiologist, they sent her test results, and they monitored Kimberly every week. They had so much experience with children.”

The family found a pediatric audiologist who worked with the Clinic to get the right hearing aids with the proper settings, and Kimberly’s speech is now getting clearer and clearer every day. It’s so clear, in fact, that Henry and Ying have placed her part-time in mainstream daycare to prepare for a regular elementary school. She is also beginning to understand many words and phrases in Chinese.

Thanks to John Tracy Clinic,” says Ying, “we learned how to rebuild our dream, and we are so grateful.”

“We’ve even become better parents,” says Henry. “Kimberly has made me listen more carefully to both of my children. Now, I am able to love them even more.

You can watch Kimberly's story on YouTube. Click - Kimberly's story.

Republished courtesy of John Tracy Clinic.

Invisible Hearing Loss Among Obvious Multiple Disabilities, Part 1: Ensuring Auditory Care

A fantastic article by Vishakha W. Rawool, PhD, in which "the author proposes six areas in improving care for children with hearing impairment and multiple disabilities". A must read for any individual involved with multiple needs. - Jayna Altman

Pediatric case studies involving children with multiple disabilities are presented, along with some of the gaps in hearing care that appear too often in these cases. The author proposes six areas in improving care for children with hearing impairment and multiple disabilities, including: making sure children have access to all sounds, ensuring parents’ psychological needs are addressed, using effective family educational practices, considering all disabilities in the hearing treatment plan, and recommending genetic workups when appropriate.

Recent advances in newborn hearing screenings have led to early identification of hearing loss. However, further improvements are necessary in early diagnosis and treatment of infants with hearing loss.

1. The need for early treatment of hearing loss is even more dire when an infant has other disabilities in addition to the hearing loss. Such infants are at risk for significant delays in speech and language development and associated risks, such as inadequate educational and social development. According to some estimates, approximately 25% to 42% of children with hearing loss have at least one additional disability2-5 and about 20% of these children have two additional problems.
2. Given these facts, consideration of additional disabilities is critical for the overall success of early hearing intervention programs.

To read more ...

Children With Cochlear Implants Have Quality of Life Equal to Normal-hearing Peers, Study Says

Children who have cochlear implants (CI) rank their quality of life (QOL) equal to their normally hearing (NH) peers, indicates new research in the February 2010 issue of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery.

A cochlear implant is an electronic device that restores partial hearing to the deaf. It is surgically implanted in the inner ear and activated by a device worn outside the ear. Unlike a hearing aid, it does not make sound louder or clearer. Instead, the device bypasses damaged parts of the auditory system and directly stimulates the hearing nerve, allowing deaf or severely hard of hearing individuals to receive sound. The National Institutes of Health estimate that as many as 59,000 people worldwide have received cochlear implants, with roughly half of those in the pediatric population.

Prior research has indicated that deaf children feel less socially accepted, experience more difficulty in making friends, and demonstrate greater adjustment problems than their hearing peers. The subsequent success of the multichannel CI devices that improve speech perception and language development led researchers to look beyond speech and language performance to questions of psychosocial behaviors and adjustment.

To read more ...

SOMO Athlete Scores 3 Pointer for High School Team

A senior at Kirkwood High in St. Louis, David "Chubbs" Stillman has been a loyal manager for his school basketball team, supplying water and towels to teammates and helping at practices.

But it was Chubbs' time on the court – in the fourth quarter of a varsity game – that made both sides of the gym erupt in cheers and set a perfect example of how to 'be a fan of respect,' as Special Olympics's slogan says.

Read Chubbs' story

See the video clip

Better Hearing Institute Publishes First Comprehensive Guide to Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids

The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) today announced publication of "Your Guide to Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids" — the first comprehensive guide on how people can obtain financial assistance to purchase hearing aids. Two out of three adults with hearing loss cite financial constraints as a core reason they do not use hearing aids, even though more than 95 percent of people with hearing loss could benefit from hearing aids.


"Your Guide to Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids" "No one should go without a needed hearing aid because of an inability to pay," says Sergei Kochkin, PhD, executive director of BHI. "Of the thousands of annual inquires we receive, the most frequent topic concerns financial assistance for hearing aid purchases. Sixty-one percent of hearing aid purchases involve no third party payment. Yet, today's modern hearing aids hold great potential to positively change the lives of so many.

Kochkin noted that hearing aids are not covered under Medicare or under the vast majority of state health benefit programs. Private insurance coverage is limited for adults, and only 15 states have enacted insurance mandates covering children.

"Your Guide to Financial Assistance for Hearing Aids" is the first of its kind publication that provides a comprehensive financial resource for people considering a hearing aid and allows them to quickly and easily identify charitable foundations, private organizations, insurance plans, corporate benefits, and government programs that help people access the hearing healthcare they need.

For more information, please visit the Better Hearing Institute.

Bachelor Auction - Special Olympics Missouri

Location: Voo Doo Lounge at Harrah's Casino - St. Louis
Fees: $15 per person

On Thursday, November 5th, Special Olympics Missouri is hosting its first Bachelor Auction. This event at the Voo Doo Lounge at Harrah's Casino - St. Louis is open to all ladies 21 years of age and older. Doors open at 6 pm with the auction starting at 7 pm.

Twenty of St. Louis' most eligible bachelors will be auctioned off to the highest bidder for charity. These bachelors are distinguished men with diverse looks and backgrounds from St. Louis and the surrouding areas. The bachelors have planned very special dates.

Live entertainment will be provided by King Pin. A delicious buffet is included in your ticket price. Drink specials will be available. Tickets are $15 each and may be purchased in advance or at the door. For more event information, please contact Crystal Chalk at chalk@somo.org or call the St. Louis Metro office at 314/961-7755.

For more information, visit http://www.somo.org/Page.aspx?pid=206&cid=1&ceid=165&cerid=0&cdt=11%2f5%2f2009.