Archives for March 3, 2024

We want Ally’s Act, H.R. 2439 and S. 1135 pass

WANT BONE ANCHORED HEARING AIDS and COCHLEAR IMPLANTS COVERED BY PRIVATE INSURANCE?

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP ADVOCATE FOR ALLY’S ACT, H.R. 2439 and S. 1135 TO PASS!

Are you tired of private insurance companies denying coverage for Osseointegrated Devices/BAHA or Cochlear Implants? Are you tired of insurance companies dictating who gets to hear and who does not? Then, help advocate for Ally’s Act, H.R. 2439 and S. 1135 to pass!

Private insurers should not have the authority to override medical necessity when our doctors state that bone anchored hearing devices help our loved ones hear! It is incredibly difficult to get legislation in place to change the law, but we did it with Ally’s Act! Ally Tumblin is the child who inspired this bill after seeing how many people in our community are denied these specific hearing devices. Please help us advocate to help pass Ally’s Act into law!

We need everyone from our community to reach out to the offices on these attachments, especially your own Congressman and Senators. Write a personal letter with your child’s picture and say why Ally’s Act needs to pass and become the law! Please send the 1-pager and list of endorsers for Ally’s Act with your letter! (see below attachments)

Helpful information about this piece of legislation can be found on Ear Community’s website under the Ally’s Act Menu tab or here!
Help us pass Ally’s Act, H.R. 2439 and S. 1135!
Thank you!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community
EarCommunity.org

Joshua Shrader

February 5, 2024
Our Ear Community Organization would like to welcome our newest Board of Director Member, Joshua Shrader! Joshua and his family will also be hosting our 2025 Ear Community Microtia and Atresia picnic in Virginia!

Please give Joshua a warm welcome!
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Hi, my name is Joshua Shrader.
I am 42 years old and was born with microtia and atresia of the right ear and hemi-facial microsomia (also known as Craniofacial Microsomia). I first learned of Ear Community in 2020, and am so thrilled this resource exists. The only intervention I have had is complete upper and lower jaw reconstruction when I was 17 years old. I was born and raised in Richmond, VA, where I still call home today. I graduated from Bridgewater College in 2003, where I played baseball as a four-year starting pitcher. Since, I have spent my entire career in various functions in Finance & Banking. My beautiful wife, Emily, and I have three wonderful children, Landon, James and Ellie Grace. My hobbies include saltwater in-shore fishing, volleyball and golf.

I am super excited to now have the opportunity to get more involved as a Board Member with Ear Community!
– Joshua Shrader

We are very excited to have Joshua join our Board of Directors for our organization and we look forward to other members in our community being able to reach out to Joshua as he is a wonderful mentor and role model for our community!

Everyone who is a part of Ear Community’s Board is either a parent of a child born with microtia and atresia or has microtia and atresia themself. Many of our graphic designers who help Ear Community also have children born with microtia and atresia or have microtia and atresia themself. Even our organization’s attorneys have children that were born with microtia and atresia.

We love our community and and we believe in including as many members from our community to be a special part of our organization when they can!
Thank you.
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community
www.EarCommunity.org