Hi Friends & Family,

We will be participating in the Walk4Hearing event again this year. This walk helps greatly to generate funds for the National Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) as well as our local chapter. Our story goes like this: Judy has been losing her hearing for about 20 years. I have been side by side with her through many issues relating to her hearing loss. Inability to hear in group settings and social events has been the biggest hurdles. It has been a challenge to find what can be done to help her live more fully with her hearing limitations.

A few years ago we started attending the HLAA meeting of our local chapter in Chester County, PA. The leadership and group support as well as a great amount of knowledge and learning has been extremely beneficial! The main reason for us taking part in the walk is to help support HLAA financially, as they continue to help and advocate for all those who are dealing with hearing loss. Many individuals are dealing with it by themselves and feel that there is nowhere to turn to for help. A great many people simply live with hearing loss for a number of reasons, such as the cost of hearing aids. Education can help them to pursue a treatment that may change their lives.

The HLAA mission statement says it best; "Our mission is to open the world of communication to people with hearing loss by providing information, education, support and advocacy."

Any support you determine to be appropriate will be greatly appreciated and help us going forward in helping the Hearing Loss Of America Association continue to improve the lives of many who would be struggling without their help. Please donate as we try to reach our goal. If perhaps you would like to participate with us, and the Chesco Striders group, we would love to have you join us! 

Blessings,

Steve & Judy Shugarts

If you would like to mail a check, please make it out to "Walk4Hearing" and mail it to:

Steve Shugarts

708 Sycamore Drive

West Chester, PA 19380

Email : jss4836@gmail.com  

Also, Please feel free to send us an email or give us a call if you have any questions.

Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) Walk4Hearing increases awareness about hearing loss, helps to eradicate the stigma associated with it and raises funds to provide information and support for people with hearing loss. Since 2006, the Walk4Hearing has raised more than $9 million and has become the largest walk for hearing taking place in cities across the United States.

Why Walk?
We walk because hearing loss is a public health issue third in line after heart disease and arthritis. 

• 48 million people have some form of hearing loss
• 26 million people have noise-induced hearing loss that could have been prevented
• 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children are born deaf or with a hearing loss
• 60 percent of the people with hearing loss are either in the work force or in educational settings

Hearing loss affects one's ability to communicate every day in different situations - from a dinner conversation at a noisy restaurant, on the phone, to not hearing alarm clocks and smoke alarms. For people with hearing loss, these situations can be become obstacles without the right information and support. HLAA provides the assistance and resources for people with hearing loss and their families to learn how to adjust to living with hearing loss.

For more information about HLAA, please visit www.hearingloss.org.