the newsletter of the cochlear implant … newsltter january 2018 web.pdftinnitus is one of the most...

TH E NE WS LETTE R OF T HE COCHLEAR I MPLANT AWARENESS FOUNDATIONTTTTTH E NEE WSWSWSSWSW LLELELELEE TTTTTTE R OF T HT HHT HEEEE CCCOCHLEAR I MPLANT AWARENESS FOUNDATION

www.ciafonline.org

Dear Friends,

Michelle TjelmelandCIAF & District 23 Founder & Director

Eighteen years ago, I became profoundly deafafter giving birth to my daughter Ellie, who was borndeaf. Several years later, we were both fortunate toreceive the gift of sound through bi-lateral cochlearimplants. To celebrate our good fortune, I founded theCochlear Implant Awareness Foundation (CIAF) so thatwe could assist deserving recipients with this miracle inhealthcare.

A cochlear implant is a small, complex electronic devicethat can help to provide a sense of sound to a personwho is profoundly deaf or hearing-impaired. An implantdœs not restore normal hearing, but it can give a deafperson a useful representation of sounds in theenvironment, and help him or her understand speech.Obtaining this technology can be extremely complex, aswell as costly. Despite the high price tag, the AmericanSpeech-Language-Hearing Association reports thatcochlear implantation consistently ranks among the"most cost-effective medical procedures ever reported."

Our mission at CIAF is to connect individuals with theinformation and resources they need to make aneducated decision about cochlear implant surgery andto provide guidance and support to recipients. Throughour Hear Again™ campaign, we accept cochlear implantequipment such as cables, processors, and batteries,from individuals who are upgrading their equipmentand from hospitals and clinics with whom we partner.We then match the equipment to a person in need. Allof our services are provided free of charge.

As an entrepreneur, I am constantly thinking outside ofthe box to solve problems. Five years ago, this led to thecreation of District 23 Boutique. District 23 is a vibrantand visually appealing women's clothing, accessoriesand gift store. Proceeds support the efforts of the CIAF.District 23 has proven to be a very successful funding

source for the foundation through its stores in Springfieldand Rochester, and with shopping now available onlineat www.district23.com. In fact, as you may have heard,our Springfield location is growing and has moved to alarger location at 830 South Grand Avenue West, whichwas the previous home of The Wardrobe. As wecontinue to grow and expand, we are able to help morepeople hear.

In addition to District 23, CIAF hosts many eventsthroughout the year, which you will read about moreinside this newsletter. We are also working on amembership program for next year, so be on the lookoutfor more information. It will include exciting benefits atour events and stores!

Thank you for all of your support. We are deeplycommitted to providing incredible service and products toour District 23 patrons, and doubly committed to providinglasting hearing support to our CIAF community.

With gratitude,

CIAF Newsltter January 2018 Q17.qxp_Layout 1 24/01/2018 09:53

“I just wanted to say thankyou very much for coming

to my assistance byproviding me with two N5cables and charger. I can’t

tell you how much Iappreciate it.”

Maureen Dugan

“Hi Ivy! Bill has receivedthe parts and all is operating

well! I wanted to send aspecial thank you to youand everyone there. You

are so kind.”

Bill and Susan McCrary

“Got the cord & coil today!You are a LIFE SAVER!!!!

Thank you so very much!”

Kim Sneath

Words of thanks00 0

000

We take for granted being able to hear the world around us, until we start experiencing problems. For millions ofAmericans, their ability to hear is disrupted by a persistent ringing in their ears, an affliction known as tinnitus.

Most tinnitus cases are caused by damage to the cochlea or inner ear. It results in many different perceptions of soundincluding buzzing, hissing, whistling, swooshing, and clicking. Tinnitus can be a temporary condition or a chronichealth malady. Common causes include excessive or cumulative noise exposure, head and neck injuries, and earinfections.

Tinnitus is one of the most common health conditions in the country. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimatesthat nearly 15% of the general public - over 50 million Americans - experience some form of tinnitus. Roughly 20million people struggle with burdensome chronic tinnitus, while two million have extreme and debilitating cases.

To help prevent tinnitus, it is important to always protect your hearing. Use ear protection when working around loudmachinery. If you listen to music with headphones, keep the volume at a moderate level. Seek medical attention ifyour ears ache due to illness, or if you think a foreign object may have gotten into your ear canal. Exercise, healthyeating, good sleeping habits, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol use, and stress management all contribute notonly to optimum physical health, but good hearing health as well.

Tinnitus – More Common Than You Think

E-commerce comes to

Our management team has been hard at work preparing forthe next phase of District 23 — a full-blown e-commercedivision! Shoppers everywhere can access the same greatmerchandise that our local clientele has grown to love.

In addition to owning D23, Michelle also operatese-websmart.com, a web site development and onlinemarketing business. So you can expect wonderful andhassle-free shopping based on the latest in technology.

Ready to start shopping? Check out all of our amazingmerchandise that is continuously changing at:

www.district23.com


D23 Springfield Finds a New Home

You know how it gœs – you love yourhome, but it’s just not big enough foreveryone anymore. Both D23 andCIAF have been growing by leaps andbounds in recent years, so we had tostart looking around for somethingbigger. Luckily, a good friend of ourspresented us with an incredibleopportunity.

For the past 16 years, Kim Dixon hasowned The Wardrobe, one ofSpringfield’s finest and most successfulboutiques. When Kim decided to sellher building at 830 S. Grand AvenueWest, we quickly realized that its size,location and history would make it theperfect new home for our SpringfieldD23 location.

“The new building is five times thesize of our current Springfield location.The additional space will allow us toexpand our inventory to keep up withcustomer demand,” Michelle says.

The building has amazingarchitectural features such as tallceilings, bright chandeliers, and agreat flow for customers to shop withease. Merchandise displays will alsowork well with the variety of D23’sinventory. There is also a prestigious

legacy that remains, one that we’llwork hard to maintain.

“I have big shœs to fill in taking overThe Wardrobe building from Kim. Shehas built an incredible business overthe years, and I hope we can enjoythe same success,” Michelle says.

As for our building on MacArthur,we’re keeping it in the family. Futureplans will be announced soon!

The District 23 retail stores exist solelyto benefit the foundation. We inviteyou to “Shop For a Cause” at one ofour incredible boutiques and takeadvantage of our new hours onSunday.

D23 Rochester130 South John Street

Rochester, Illinois 62704

217.498.1369

D23 SpringfieldNew location

830 South Grand Avenue WestSpringfield, Illinois 62704

217.679.1352

D23 Hours:Monday – Friday 10 am – 6 pm

Saturday 10 am - 4 pmSunday 12 pm - 4 pm

In honor of opening ournew location, we will behaving a celebration onSouth Grand Avenue.

Stay tuned to ourFacebook page for the

latest details.

www.facebook.com/DistrictTwentyThree120+

Families helped

$782,122worth of CI equipment given

to 67 deserving recipients

In 2017


TOMS® at D23SpringfieldWe love products that support acause, which is why we carry TOMSshœs at D23 Springfield.

Not only dœs a sale of TOMS directlyhelp CIAF, but TOMS pays it forwardthrough the TOMS model—One forOne®. The TOMS Giving Teamcollaborates with Giving Partnersaround the world to donate shœs,provide vision care, improve accessto clean drinking water, provide safebirths, and assist with bullyingprevention. Shop for two causes all atonce at D23 Springfield!

Our CustomersLove Brighton®

Our stunning collection of Brightonhandbags and jewelry are incrediblypopular with our District 23 shoppersin Rochester.

Brighton® proudly states that everypiece is “inspired by artwork aroundthe world, created with the finestmaterials and irreplaceablecraftsmanship.” We also love thatBrighton has a deep commitment toempowering families in thecommunities which surround theirstores. Since 2003, they havedonated over $10 million to variouscharities and are committed tocontinuing this tradition. Come andsee what Brighton® has for you atD23 Rochester!

Phone andFacebookOrdersOur new web site will make onlineshopping easier than ever. Go checkit out at district23.com.

But if you prefer to shop onFacebook or order by phone, wewould never take that away fromyou. We’re always featuringmerchandise on Facebook, so ifsomething catches your eye, send usa message or give us a call(217.679.1352 for the Springfieldlocation and 217.498.1369 for theRochester location) and we canmake the transaction right then andthere. No matter where you are inthe U.S., we’ll ship it to you.


We LO♥E Biteson theBoulevard

The warm summer months meant itwas time to embrace our favoriteway to eat—enjoying local fare atBites on the Boulevard (BOB) FoodTruck Meet-Up sponsored byMacArthur Boulevard Association.

Eight local vendors converged onthe D23 Springfield parking lot tooffer incredible dishes to ourneighbors and community. Our goalwas to support CIAF and the localfood truck scene all in one event,and we did it!

Save the Dates 2018In June, lace up those sneakers

for the second annual

Watermelon5K & 10K

on Saturday, June 30. Tochange things up, we are

adding a 10K! Packet pick-upnight will take place at a local

church and for a few extradollars added to your

registration, you can take part inthe Pre-Race Pasta Dinner.

Sound Biteswill also take place in October as

a participant in the RochesterFall Festival, with food trucks on

hand serving local favorites.

We had a lot of fun in 2017, all in the name of funding our mission to Help

People Hear! In April, we hosted a CIAF/District 23 Trivia Night at the Fire

Fighter’s Lake Club and had an incredible turn out of support. In May, we held

the first ever Sound Bites Food Truck Music Festival in Rochester, which brought

out over 1500 hungry supporters. July’s warm summer weather was great for

our first Watermelon 5K, with 350 registered runners coming out to support

CIAF in Rochester Park. October was a busy month for CIAF, as we hosted

another Sound Bites Food Truck Festival in conjunction with Rochester Olde

Towne Festival, complete with a beer tent and music. Despite the wet weather,

die-hard food truck foodies still came out to support CIAF. Our Halloween

GloBingo night was a frightfully good time. Thanks to the Prairie Reception

Center in Chatham for rolling out the red carpet for our event.

A Year in Review:


CIAF Hear Again™Children’s ProgramHearing loss can dramatically affect achild’s ability to developcommunication, language, and socialskills. This affects their ability to fullyfunction in a school setting, as well astheir ability to reach their full potentialas adults.

As CIAF’s founder, Michelle Tjelmelandknows it is important to give a child thehearing resources they need at anearly age. Her daughter Ellie was borndeaf and received cochlear implants asa small child. Since then, Ellie hasexperienced a rich and full life with thegift of sound.

As the parent of a child with severehearing loss or deafness who is eligiblefor cochlear implants, you may havemany questions and concernsregarding treatment options, resourcesand its effects on your child’s future.CIAF is here to help. As the nation’sonly cochlear implant bank, we arewilling and able to answer yourquestions, provide support andequipment to those in need.

CIAF Hear Again™Seniors’ ProgramAccording to the Hearing HealthFoundation, 50 million Americansexperience hearing loss. Anywherefrom nine to 22 out of every 1,000people have a severe hearingimpairment or are deaf.

At least half of these people reportedtheir hearing loss after 64 years of age.

In addition, a large portion of peoplepast the age of 65 with profoundhearing loss have lived in a world ofsilence their entire lives because of thelack of technology available to helpthem hear. For them, the option ofreceiving a cochlear implant is lifealtering.

CIAF is dedicated to giving seniors achance to restore their hearing byoffering support through informationand equipment should they choose toexplore the option of receiving acochlear implant.

CIAF Hear Again™Veterans’ ProgramHearing loss and other hearing-relatedproblems are the most commondisabilities reported in military veterans.

While much of the public concernabout injuries suffered by post-9/11troops has focused on missing limbs,brain injuries, and post-traumatic stressdisorder, Scott C. Forbes, past-president of the Association of VeteransAdministration Audiologists, finds thatauditory injury is the signature injury ofveterans. In recent years, it isestimated that 60% of veteransreturning from Iraq and Afghanistancome home with hearing loss. Sincesevere hearing loss is not fatal, it isoften overlooked as a significant injury,even though it dramatically alters thelife of the affected individual andhis/her family.

Because of these staggering statistics,CIAF created the Cochlear ImplantVeteran’s Program to help military

veterans who have sustained severehearing loss while serving theircountry. We welcome the opportunityto offer our knowledge, resources, anddatabase of cochlear implantequipment to qualified veterans.

CIAF Hear Again™Women to Women ProgramIn this modern day, women haveimportant responsibilities and aresignificant contributors in making abetter society. Women with hearingimpairments or deafness play a pivotalrole as well, while facing obstacles thatothers aren’t forced to navigate.Limited resources for hearinghealthcare, fewer educationalopportunities, and even depressionmay prevent a hearing-impairedwoman from realizing her full potential.Michelle fully empathizes with herhearing-impaired peers as they charttheir course through life.

CIAF developed the Hear Again™Women to Women Program to providethese women the resources andsupport they need when consideringcochlear implants or other hearing-related treatments or technologies. Wewant to help hearing-impaired womeneverywhere reach their goals and livefulfilling lives.

If you or someone you know canbenefit from one of our programs,please visit our web site atwww.ciafonline.org/application-pageto access an application, or contact usat [email protected] for moreinformation.

Hear AgainTM ProgramIf you or someone you know can benefit from one of our programs, please visit ourwebsite at www.ciafonline.org/application-page to access our application, orcontact us at [email protected] for more information.

A donation to CIAF® is a perfect gift anytimeCIAF® is supported by generous individuals and community sponsors who often tell us that the joy of giving to our efforts has blessed

them in numerous ways. If you want to share in the love and generosity, we have several opportunities for you to give:

Make a one-time financial gift securely through Paypal at www.ciafonline.org/donate-pay-it-forward.Arrange a planned financial gift, including will/bequests, life insurance, and charitable remainder trusts.

Donate CI equipment.


Brooke Larson Manager, Rochester

Brooke has been in the customer serviceindustry for almost nine years and loves tomake customers happy. Her favorite part ofDistrict 23 is that there is something foreveryone and she can use her creativity to

market items and set up beautiful displays. During her timeout of the shop, she enjoys spending time with her family,crafting and painting. Thank you for sharing your creativitywith us, Brooke!

Stacy Wright Manager, Springfield

Stacy, our D23 Springfield Manager, lovesthe atmosphere and environment sheworks in each day. Stacy comes to us fromthe insurance industry and says that beinga part of the D23 team “is the happiest I’ve

been in my 30 years of work! It dœs not feel like a job as itis a beautiful, happy place and the staff is like a family. Ilove what D23 stands for and how much the foundationgives back. It is rewarding to be part of something somassive!” Stacy has a 14-year-old daughter who attendsSt. Agnes School. Her boyfriend owns the clothing storeJim Herron Ltd, so she is very comfortable with the retailclothing business. Be sure to stop by D23 Springfield andsay hello to Stacy!

Lindsey Hensley Receiving, e-commerceManager

Lindsey began her career with District 23 asa store manager at the Springfield boutique.In just one short year, she is now ourreceiving and e-commerce division

manager. Her knowledge of all things D23 makes her aperfect fit for managing our organization's inventory andkeeping the online sales and fulfillment portion of theboutique operating smoothly. Lindsey loves that D23supports a good cause as it makes her work much morerewarding.

Lori Von Behren Buyer

Lori has been a volunteer and employee forDistrict 23 since the doors opened. She hasdone every job, from computer work tokeeping things neat and organized. Lorinow assists Michelle in buying the

merchandise for all three locations. She knows oursuppliers well and what our customers want to see onD23’s racks. Lori loves the family environment and themany close friendships she has made at the boutique.She is married to Nick, and they have two grown childrenand are blessed with grandchildren. We lean heavily onLori’s experience and role as the D23 Mom!

Ivy Molen Patient Care Coordinator

Ivy has been our Patient Care Coordinatorfor five years. Her organizational andpersonal skills are paramount as sheworks with implant doctors, hospitals, andclinics to make sure our recipients receive

the correct equipment in a timely manner. She alsocoordinates donations of CI equipment, cleans the parts,and inventories everything into the computer system.CIAF® thrives because of Ivy’s dedication!

It takes a group of talented, organizedindividuals to make a great team!


Since its inception in 2005, the Cochlear Implant Awareness Foundation’s (CIAF®) Hear Again®

program has played a critical role in our efforts to help people hear. What started as a storagecabinet of miscellaneous cochlear implant equipment in a corner of our founder’s basement has

evolved into a highly organized, digitally cataloged inventory bank at our foundation’sheadquarters. CIAF® is the only source in the world doing the work we do.

HearAgain Program

HOW TO GIVE HELP

Donations of cochlear implant equipment to the Hear Again™program are simple to make! No need to contact CIAF® ahead oftime.

1. People, clinics and hospitals from all over donate cochlear implantequipment like processors, cables, cords, batteries, andaccessories.

2. Equipment is then processed digitally into our cochlear implantinventory bank.

3. A letter of receipt is sent to the donor for tax purposes as CIAF® is a501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

If you wish to donate your cochlear implant equipment likeprocessors, cables, cords, batteries, and accessories, includingdiscontinued models, please send your donation by regular mail to:

Cochlear Implant Awareness Foundation®

Attn: Donations830 South Grand Avenue WestSpringfield, Illinois 62704

Processing will be handled generally within two weeks of receivingyour package, and a letter of receipt will be sent to the donor.

HOW TO GET HELP

1. We have a general application, as well asapplications for children, veterans, andseniors.

2. Complete and submit the application foreither the Cochlear Corporation orAdvanced Bionics. These can be found at:www.ciafonline.org/get-help

3. Once we receive the application, weattempt to match eligible applications withequipment from our inventory bank.

4. Applicants will be notified regarding thestatus of their application

5. If we make a match of equipment to fill theapplicant’s need, our program director willcontact the applicant’s cochlear implantaudiologist or doctor directly.

6. When a match is made, equipment willalmost always be sent directly to theapplicant’s cochlear implant audiologistor doctor.

®


the newsletter of the cochlear implant … newsltter january 2018 web.pdftinnitus is one of the most...

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