A while back, AIM received a call from a donor. Her mother had recently passed away, leaving behind brand new hearing aids. The donor has family with mental illness and knows the barriers that people with mental illness face, especially when hearing loss is present.

A new member joined our clubhouse in the spring. She did not come back after her orientation because she felt she had nothing to contribute; she couldn’t hear what was going on around her, and people couldn’t really understand her. She isolated in her apartment nearby.

The donor was willing to not only donate the hearing aids, but also pay for a hearing test and having the member’s ears molded to fit the aids. The member will continue with the upkeep herself.

Barbara writes:

I wanted to thank you for helping me get a hearing aid; it has changed my life. Before I could barely hold a conversation due to being unable to understand what others said. My family was short with me, and it was difficult to make friends. Now, I’m able to speak to anyone without having to repeat “what” every few sentences or stare to try and gather meaning. I can hear what birds sound like, something I’ve not been able to hear for nearly twenty years. I’d forgotten how much sound our world makes, and am pleasantly surprised every day that I have the ability to wake up and hear something new.

Since having the hearing aids properly fitted, Barbara has been a regular attendee of the Clubhouse, working with her peers in the Employment Department. Truly, an amazing gift.