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Hello Friends of Sound Start,
I hope all is well and 2024 is off to a happy and healthy beginning. I would like to thank all of you for your generous support during 2023, which was capped off with successful Giving Tuesday and year end campaigns.
During an already busy 2024 at Sound Start Foundation, we are optimistic that this will be our strongest fundraising year ever, with the particular goal of strengthening support for the Sound Start Babies Program.
The rising costs of education, combined with growth opportunities to help more babies with hearing loss throughout the state, mean that your support is needed and appreciated more than ever. We hope you can join us for our wonderful annual gala on May 9th, featuring race car driver and motivational speaker Kris Martin. Kris will share some of his experiences as a deaf professional racer, a highlight certain to help make it a great night for all.
Thank you again for your continued support - I wish you and your families all the
best.
All my best,
Alex Mitchell
alex.mitchell@soundstartfdn.org
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On Your Mark, Get Set, GO! | |
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NASCAR Superstar Kris Martin to Be Featured Guest of Honor at Gala
Ask Kris Martin to do something for you and his standard response is, “Not a problem.” That includes stepping into a race car that reaches speeds of over 200 miles per hour.
Speaking to over 300 hundred students who look at him as a role model is also, “Not a problem.” Even being born profoundly deaf is, “Not a problem.”
In fact, being born deaf may have helped Kris because he had to learn to race primarily by using his tactile senses, which has given him a great ability to feel the track and rely on his instincts.
Today, Kris has obtained access to auditory information through using an implant he first had surgically implanted when he was 8 years old. In addition to using an implant, Kris uses an FM system specifically during racing. Phonak Hearing Systems created a special FM system for him to use during racing so he could communicate effectively with his spotters. This allows Kris to hear his spotters' voices directly to his cochlear implant so he doesn't miss important information shared with him during racing in the presence
of background noise. Kris has stated this device is crucial in helping him race saying, "If I cannot hear my spotters, I cannot race."
Now, after collecting many trophies, Kris is looking to take his racing to the next level, using his talent and the blessing of coming from a racing family. Warren Coniam (his uncle) and Doug Syer (his grandfather) are both in the Canadian Racing Hall of Fame.
Perhaps most importantly, Kris is a strong proponent of giving back to those who are deaf and hard of hearing. When Sound Start reached out to Kris to support our gala, his response was, “Not a problem!”
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Jed A. Kwartler, MD named 2024 Sound Start Gala Honoree
Recognized as a leading ear surgeon in the New York metropolitan area, Dr. Kwartler performed New Jersey's first cochlear implant in a child in 1993 and was the recipient of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Certificate of Honor. He is a former partner at Summit Health/Village Medical and a former Otology/Neurotology Surgeon.
Now retired from practice, he remains an advocate for adults and children who are deaf and hard of hearing, and is an angel investor in the health sciences.
Dr. Kwartler's dedication to improving the lives of both adults and children with hearing difficulties, as well as his support for early hearing testing initiatives is truly commendable.
Congratulations to Dr. Kwartler on this well-deserved recognition and thank you for your contributions to the medical profession and the community at large.
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Program Coordinator Kayley Mayer's New Baby
Welcome to the world beautiful Whitney-Larkin! And, congratulations to Mom and Dad!
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Meet:
Lisa Thielman
2nd Tour of Duty!
Lisa Thielman has always felt the calling in her heart to work with special education and deaf education students. She has done this work in Mountain Lakes, NJ, Maryland, Rockland County, New York, and now for her 2nd tour of duty in Mountain Lakes for the Sound Start Babies program. A rare gem, not only is Lisa genuinely altruistic, she is supremely well educated.
Lisa brings with her two masters degrees, one from Adelphi University and one from Gallaudet University, plus a B.A. from Springfield College. She has noticed many changes over the years in the deaf education industry: “No doubt, the rapid evolution of technology has improved the lives of countless kids.” Even still, Lisa says, “There is certainly more to do in advocacy, and from a national point of view, we can always improve transitions into general education."
Early in her career, Lisa worked at a small school in Mountain Lakes called the Lake Drive School. She is thrilled to be returning home to work at Sound Start and be with other talented teachers, great families and smart kids!
Let’s all welcome Lisa!
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOUR COMPANY LOGO HERE?
Become a sponsor of the Sound Start 2024 Racing towards a Sound Future Gala or place an ad in the Gala journal.
Contact:
Allison Sargent Events
info@soundstartfdn.org
(973) 783-5689
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Help Create A Bright Future for Hard-of-Hearing Babies
For over quarter of a century, Sound Start, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, has impacted the lives of hundreds of deaf babies and their families. By working together, we can and will help so many more.
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