Saintfield impaired hearing group shopping appeal

Saintfield impaired hearing group shopping appeal

4 December 2019

A SAINTFIELD support group for families with deaf children is urging local Co-op shoppers to nominate it as a charity of their choice.

Listen hEAR represents 15 families and was recently been chosen by the Co-op to benefit from its Local Community Fund.

Any money donated over the next year will go to support the group’s organised activities such as gymnastics and swimming where the aim is to integrate deaf children with others and their hearing siblings.

Chairperson Jo Doody, whose seven year-old son, Fionn, is profoundly deaf, said that the group was formed in June 2015, under the auspices of the National Deaf Society.

Mrs Doddy, who is from Saintfield, explained that the group was a response from herself and two other young mothers — Linda McConomy from Crossgar and Catherine Moane from Teconnaught — needing to connect with other parents to learn how to best support their children.

“All the children in the group would either have hearing aids or would have cochlear implants. The children tend to go to a mainstream school where they are likely to be the only deaf child in the school,” said Mrs Doody.

“One of the main reasons why we three mums started the group over a cup of coffee was that we all wanted our children to know other deaf children and to see other children wearing hearing aids and the latest technology, for that to become normal for them as they won’t see that going to a mainstream school.

“Even though we are based in Saintfield, we have families from Downpatrick, Crossgar, Bangor, Millisle and Donaghadee coming along.

“The parents who attend our group have quite young children aged from six to ten and we actually have a few parents with babies this year. It seems like every weekend I get a call from some parent with a baby or a very young child who has been referred on to join the group.”

Two other mums, Pamela McGrath from Carryduff and Eimear Bennett from Belfast, make up the group’s committee along with the three founding mums.

Mrs Doody said that the group meets once a month on a Saturday afternoon at First Saintfield Presbyterian Church which gives the children with hearing problems a chance to meet and play with other children while mixing with brothers and sisters.

“The church very kindly allowed us to have free use of the hall and caretake Cathy Donnan always has the play group’s toys and equipment set up for the families,” she said.

Apart from the monthly meetings, Mrs Doody says that the group also organises private swimming lessons for the children as well as private gymnastic lessons.

“It’s important for the children not to be overwhelmed in these type of classes in the mainstream environment and it helps to get joining into the fun.”

Mrs Doody said that the strength of the group is individual and then shared experience. 

“For instance, some parent maybe going through genetics testing with their child or going through the statementing process and another parent will be able to explain what to expect,” she added.

“A need for support is crucial when there’s the initial diagnosis of deafness and the parents are going through all kinds of emotions, it can be hard and confusing. But coming to a group like ours where everyone is in the same boat, we are able to offer reassurance and I suppose give some normality to the situation.”

Shoppers will be able to donate 1% of the value of their Co-op purchases for the next year as registering as members online and by nominating the charity at www.coop.co.uk/membership.