By Sharon Doherty
Hearing loss can affect a child’s ability to develop speech, language, and social skills. The earlier children with hearing loss start receiving help, the more likely they are to reach their full potential. If you think that a child might have a hearing loss, please take the child to a doctor to be checked. If that isn’t practical, bring them to the upcoming Ear Health Fair, which is being held over two days: Friday, February 25 in the rural community of La Cuadrilla; and Saturday, February 26 at Umarán 107 in San Miguel de Allende.
Many families in the rural communities of the San Miguel de Allende area have few resources to obtain ear examinations or hearing screening for their children. Escuela de Educación Especial de San Miguel de Allende (EEESMA) and Apoyo para Gente Emprenadora are working together to bring two qualified volunteer audiologists to the children in the community of La Cuadrilla and San Miguel de Allende. John Doherty, President of EEESMA, stated, “I love working with Ezequiel Mojica and his group at Apoyo. They have worked hard to earn families’ trust, and they have opened doors for us, helping to organize this fair in a rural community where support is needed most.”
Children from the city of San Miguel and from other nearby communities will be given the same opportunity for ear examinations and hearing screenings at the school’s premises on Calle Umarán 107. Children with ear health issues as a result of blockage, infection, physical defects, or congenital abnormalities will be examined and issues identified.
Children with hearing problems are attending public schools in Mexico, but the causes of their hearing issues tend to go unidentified. In the community of La Cuadrilla alone, eight children have been recognized with some sort of hearing loss, but the causes are unknown. These children struggle with school work, at home, and within their community. Without proper attention, the hearing issue will only get worse over time.
For various reasons, it is often difficult for families to take their children to see a doctor in town. The Ear Health Fair will go to the families and their children in their community to identify and to take steps to address many of the hearing loss issues experienced by children in school. We hope 200 children will be screened at the fair, many who may not even be aware they have ear health issues. Children with more complicated problems will be referred to doctors in town, where their problems can be diagnosed and properly treated. The families will be assisted through the process, including the cost of transportation and the cost of seeing a specialist at no charge or for a very nominal fee.
If you know a family with a child who is suffering from hearing loss, please don’t wait. Email John Doherty at jd98lv@hotmail.com If you would like to learn more about the work being done to serve deaf children and young adults in San Miguel, visit the school’s website: www.eeesma.com
Contact: John Doherty, President, Escuela de Educación Especial de San Miguel de Allende, A.C.
Phone: 415-152-0588
Time: 9am-6pm
Place: Friday, February 25, Primary School, La Cuadrilla
Saturday, February 26, Escuela de Educación Especial de San Miguel de Allende, Umarán 107, San Miguel de Allende
Cost: Free
