On February 2, 2011, I contact Oticon Medical to share with them how our support group is a helpful resource for individuals with Microtia and Atresia and who have hearing loss.  On this day I had an hour and a half conversation with Oticon’s Vice President of Marketing explaining the little bit of awareness Microtia and Atresia has along with getting a list of questions answered that I had gathered from our support group members.

In January of 2011, I have a meeting with the Marketing Manager, the District Sales Manager, and the Vice President of Business Development for Sophono to discuss the newly released Alpha 1 system.  We also discuss the lack of awareness about Microtia and Atresia.

In January of 2011, Dr. Arturo Bonilla recognizes our support group as a helpful resource and begins telling his patients about our support group.

In January of 2011, I become a member of the Board of Directors for the Hands & Voices Organization.

In January of 2011, Dr. Burt Brent’s office recognizes our support group as a helpful resource and agrees to let patients know about our support group.

In January of 2011, my first article is published in the 2011 Winter Issue of the National news letter, “The Communicator,” through the Hands & Voices Organization (www.handsandvoices.org).  My article is called:  Falling Through The Cracks With Microtia/Atresia and can be accessed under this website’s “About” section under “Our Story” and also at the following link:  http://www.handsandvoices.org/articles/early_intervention/V14-2_cracks.htm

Also, shortly after this article was published I received many e-mails from audiology students letting me know that their professors had asked them to read my article as a class assignment (from various states).  I also received an e-mail from Linda Cox, a nationally renown audiologist in Florida letting me know that she would like to share our support group with her patients and colleagues and also have them add my article to the news letter she organizes. 

In December of 2010, our support group is acknowledged by Dr. Thomas Romo and his staff as a helpful resource for families with Microtia and Atresia.

In December of 2010, I receive an e-mail from a US military counselor asking if she could utilize our support group website as a means of educating US Military families stationed in Guam so they could know what options are available regarding Microtia and missing ears in general.

In December of 2010, I am contacted by Dr. Cheryl Johnson, one of Colorado’s top audiologists, and I am asked if she could utilize pictures of my daughter Ally wearing her BAHA for teaching her students in the classroom.  Dr. Johnson also asks to pass along information about our support group to her students.  Dr. Johnson also asks if she could share my article with her students once it has been published.

As of December 2010, both our family ENT and my OB/Gyn know about our support group and appreciate being updated on Microtia and Atresia.  Both agreed to pass along the information about our support group to families and staff regarding children being born with Microtia and Atresia at Avista Adventist Hospital (where I delivered both Hailey and Ally).