Join our Upcoming Chapter Gathering!

As we head into Fall, grab a coffee and snack and join us. This gathering promises to be a fun event, filled with celebration, hope, and a glimpse into the future.

One of the highlights of our meeting will be the celebration of our first Young Adult Ambassador (YAA) scholarship winner, Erin McClain. Erin’s dedication and passion have made her a shining example of the values and vision that our chapter upholds. We cannot wait for you to meet her and hear about her aspirations during this event.

We’ll also share what the chapter has been doing and, more importantly, our future plans. It’s a chance for all of us to come together, exchange ideas, and learn about the exciting initiatives we have in store for our hearing loss community.

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Please check your email for details to join the meeting and don’t forget to set your calendar reminder!

Celebrating our First Young Adult Ambassador!

Wendi presenting to Erin the scholarship award.

Wendi presented Erin with the scholarship award.

A special celebration and milestone for our Los Angeles chapter just happened! Erin McClain became our chapter’s first Young Adult Ambassador (YAA) after accepting our $2500 college scholarship. Erin hails originally from Sacramento and is attending California State University Long Beach.

The chapter hosted a nice Sunday brunch to celebrate and learn about Erin’s hearing loss journey. Diagnosed with bilateral hearing loss at age two, Erin clearly understands the challenges people face with hearing loss daily. She spoke of many ways she is able to successfully advocate for accommodations needed in class and school. She has also been an inspiration to her college peers and teachers to help them better appreciate the hearing loss community.

Erin will continue to connect with the chapter by updating us on how she is doing in school, attending a few events, and connecting on social media. Stay tuned for more information on how you can meet and learn more about Erin’s story!

 

Erin McClain. Our YAA scholarship award winner!

The LA Chapter Steering Committee with Erin

The LA Chapter Steering Committee with Erin

Erin and her friend Dulce

Erin and her friend Dulce

 

Generosity finds the LA Chapter!

 

The Orange County Basketball League, headed by Mr. Ziko Pepic, is an organization that believes in sports and charity. Each season adult teams play basketball and compete for the title of champions. At the end of the season the winners receive trophies, bragging rights and they get to choose a charitable organization to receive a $500 donation. This year, Team Rocognize chose HLAA-LA to be the recipient of this generous gesture. Our chapter is honored and grateful to accept this donation. Many thanks to Ziko and Team Recognize!

Seven players from a orange county basketball team donating to the LA Chapter

Number 24 is our very own Chad Washington

Spring Fling Party Connects Guests from Across SoCal

Group picture of everyone at the spring fling party

A wonderful Spring Fling turnout!

By Teri Breier

On a gorgeous spring Sunday with near-perfect weather, HLAA–Los Angeles held its largest in-person gathering in three years on March 26. The “Spring Fling” garden party, hosted by HLAA-CA Webmaster and past-chapter president Heather Lehr at her beautiful San Marino home, was attended by nearly 30 people with and without hearing loss—and not a mask in sight.

Guests included LA chapter members and their families, as well as attendees from southern California chapters like Long Beach/Lakewood, Orange County and Mission Viejo, as well as several brand-new attendees at their very first HLAA event. There were many others who couldn’t make it that were missed.

» Read more

Join us on February 25

Date: Saturday, February 25

Time: 10-11 a.m. PT

Chapter members getting together for CODA  movie viewingThe new year brings many exciting and rewarding opportunities for the chapter. Please join us as we share ideas, announcements, and reflections from 2022 in this sure to be fun and heartwarming meeting.

We miss you all and can’t wait to share news and ideas to reconnect!

 

REGISTER TODAY!

A Farewell and Thank You to Sharon

by Sandy Blake
HLAA-LA Steering Committee Member

Sharon  Swerdlow has been the LA Chapter president since September 2019 and previously had served on the Steering Committee for one year. Sharon brought her finance expertise, tireless energy, gift for gab, good humor, one hearing aid and one cochlear implant, and dedication to the LA Chapter. We were all motivated to support Sharon in her leadership role and the meetings were filled with useful information, fun, supportive spirit, and refreshments. Sharon led an exhaustive search for a new meeting location, endlessly researching possibilities of venues, and basically turning the town upside down with her determination and focus.

» Read more

How to Cope with Hearing Loss and Your Mental Health Meeting

Join Us!

Coping with Hearing Loss: Taking Care of our Mental Health
Date: Saturday, January 22, 2022
Where: Online Zoom Meeting
Time: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. PT (may extend beyond 11 a.m.)
Audience: Open to all for this free event. Please pass along this invite to others!

Hearing loss is an invisible disability; its true disability is a communication disability. The primary disability of hearing loss is a communication disability rather than just not being able to hear. Struggling to understand conversations with lifelong friends and family, hearing music or professional meetings is a constant stress every day and can lead to depression and social withdrawal.

An essential part of dealing with hearing loss is recognizing that stress is inevitable so rather than avoiding it, learning more effective stress communication skills will be more productive and emotionally satisfying. Come learn new coping skills for keeping depression and anxiety at bay with Dr. Alison Freeman, who has a severe, bilateral sensorineural loss herself.

Presenter:

Alison Freeman

Alison Freeman, Ph.D. received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and theater arts from the University of California and doctorate from International University. She works half-time at California State University at Northridge as a staff psychologist working with students with hearing loss, is an adjunct professor at Cal Lutheran and has a private practice.
Dr. Freeman was diagnosed with a moderate-severe hearing loss at age 3.

Stay Updates with the Latest Chapter and HLAA News

Please see below for many great options to sign up to stay updated on the latest hearing loss and chapter news!

LA Chapter email/newsletter subscription form.
See the right side of any page to submit your email.

HLAA Groups
Link below will take you to various groups you can join and follow.

https://hlaagroups.hearingloss.org/

HLAA Hearing Life e-News
Twice a month HLAA news stories and information to your inbox.

https://www.hearingloss.org/news-media/e-news/

HLAA News and Hear This! Blogs

Latest hearing loss and HLAA news and events sent directly to your inbox.(You’ll find it on any HLAA website page in the lower right corner of the page. Just look for the below and submit your email.)

Fun at the Beach!

Volley 4 sound banner

The chapter received wonderful news recently when Volley4Sound decided to make our chapter one of the recipients of a donation from them. Special thanks go to Kelsey Brandin for making this happen for the chapter!

This event will take place at beautiful Hermosa Beach on Sunday, October 10, and should be a wonderful time for all who attend. But, we need your help! We have the unique opportunity to have a booth to set up and provide HOH/deaf information and awareness to those attending. We’ll have printed materials, buttons, candy and big smiles to share but need volunteers to join in the fun and help man the booth!

Please consider volunteering or learn more by emailing us at info@hlaa-la.org.
Date: Sunday, October 10, 2021
Where: Hermosa Beach Pier
Time: Festivities start at 9 a.m. with booth setup time TBD

Join our Upcoming Chapter Meeting

Introducing HLAA-LA Poetry Celebration!

In the spirit of poetry month for April, we will be having a special chapter meeting. Spend the month submerged in poetry!

Date: Saturday, April 24, 2021
Time: 10 a.m. PT
Duration: 90 minutes

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We recommend daily readings of poetry at home. Each member selects a favorite poem and practices reading it.

We will gather on April 24th to share and/or discuss our favorite poems and poets. Writing your own poem to share or poetry performances are completely voluntary–but are SUPER fun! So you’ll gather with others to celebrate, catch up with each other, and provide support.

You may also come dressed inspired by your poetry selection ? Let’s get creative!

Any questions? Just email us at info@hlaa-la.org.

 

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