February 11, 2004
SHH strong group voice
Self Help for Hard of Hearing People meets monthly at TC library
By
Herald staff writer
Being able to communicate in an emergency situation is something most people take for granted. For members of the deaf and hard of hearing community, the inability to communicate with emergency response workers is an ongoing concern.
Lori Wesolowski, RN, BSN and emergency preparedness coordinator for the Grand Traverse County Health Department addressed this concern when she spoke to the Northern Light SHHH (Self Help for Hard of Hearing People) chapter during their monthly meeting Sunday.
"It is important to be prepared for all kinds of disasters, that goes for everyone, but people with special needs may need to make special preparations to cope in emergency situations," Wesolowski said.
"In addition to having a three day supply of food and medicine on hand, as well as water, first aid supplies and batteries, people in the deaf and hard of hearing community should notify local emergency workers in advance that they will be dealing with someone with a hearing difficulty at your address," Wesolowski noted.
Wesolowski also recommended having a noisemaker - like a whistle or air horn - available to alert rescuers to your location, and carrying a card indicating that the carrier is deaf or hard of hearing.
"When you have an emergency, you can't take anything for granted, everything changes and people with a handicap are particularly vulnerable," said Joyce Faustman of Interlochen who has been a member of SHHH for four years.
Faustman, a retired nurse, who attends with her husband Frank, says she has grown to love her fellow group members but also values the programs the group provides.
"We think we are prepared, but then new issues come up and you need to rethink and update your checklist," said Frank Faustman. "I have been coming to this group with my wife because they are such a supportive group for her. I want to make sure we do everything we can to make her life easier."
While the focus of this month's meeting was emergency preparedness, SHHH meetings also provide an opportunity for those in the deaf and hard of hearing community to meet on a regular basis and talk about issues that effect their daily lives.
"What happens with a chapter like this is people come in with a need and we provide them help. We maintain a core group to help people out," said Jeanne Dzik who has participated in SHHH for more than eight years. "Once you are in this group you learn to be very assertive for yourself."
Northern Light SHHH meets at 1:30 p.m., the second Sunday of each month (except July and August), at the Traverse Area District Library. For more information, contact Cindy Shapiro at cinshhh@charternet.net.