Archives for August 6, 2024

The Ear Community Organization Welcomes Newest Board Member, Alexander Lang!

August 6, 2024 By Leave a Comment

Alexander Lang, Ear Community Board Member

The Ear Community announces it’s newest Board of Director Member, Alexander Lang.

Board Members for the Ear Community Organization consist of members of the community that include individuals who were born with microtia and aural atresia, family members and medical professionals. “It is important for our community to be informed of all options for microtia and aural atresia, says Melissa Tumblin, Founder of Ear Community. It is also important to hear from individuals, like Alexander, who have microtia and atresia and to see how the journey with microtia and atresia is going. It is incredibly helpful for children and adults and their families to see what others in the community are doing in regard to the decisions they make along the way of their journey. This is where role models can play a big part in helping others understand decisions and choices and also to help give some perspective when talking with others in the same situation”.

Alexander recently shared the following on Ear Community’s Microtia and Atresia Support Group on Meta:
“I was born with unilateral microtia and atresia in my right ear. I have not had any corrective or reconstructive procedures and am not aided by any hearing devices. My parents wanted the choice to be mine. Growing up, my parents would always check in to see how I felt and if I wanted to explore my options. To be honest, having one ear never bothered me, it became part of my identity. To this day, I am very happy with my choice.

I believe that having one ear/hearing loss as a child taught me a lot of valuable lessons early in my life.
1. I learned how to advocate for myself. While I didn’t always take my own advice, I knew how to speak up if I couldn’t hear. I also knew to ask for specific seating in a classroom or loud environment.
2. I learned how to deal with adversity. Having one ear is certainly different, but not bad. Bullying was a very very rare occurrence. And when it did happen, I was equipped with the tools to resolve the conflict and move on.
3. I learned how to be patient. There are going to be times when it is hard to hear, and that’s okay. It can be hard, but having patience in those situations will make it much better. recognizing those situations also allows me to use advocacy skills and ask for help.

Today, Alexander is happily married and working as a senior project manager for a residential construction firm. He and his wife live in Minnesota with their two golden retrievers. They love to travel, spend time on the lake with their dogs, and play a variety of sports/activities. Alex says life with Microtia/atresia is great, and he’ll never have trouble sleeping through a storm!”

Alexander Lang at the Minnesota Ear Community picnic and conference, June 2024.

Alexander recently discovered the Ear Community Organization and attended an event in Minnesota this June. “I had no clue communities like this existed! It was so cool getting to be a part of a microtia/atresia conference and picnic! We met tons of families, kids and medical professionals. I’m looking forward to getting more involved and hopefully teaching kids all the ear related humor I know!”

“We are excited for Alexander to join our board,” said Ear Community Founder, Melissa Tumblin! “Our community is made up of amazing advocates and role models and this is exactly what Alexander will be amazing at when working with families within our community! We are looking forward to him coming on board”!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community

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