Meeting With Oticon Medical…

Also, in October of 2011, I have a meeting with Oticon Medical’s US Subsidiary Manager/President for the US.  After a full day of discussing Microtia and Atresia and how to help promote awareness, Oticon’s president asked me what can Oticon do to help me with our support group.  Along with a few other ideas, I explain I would like to help bring Microtia/Atresia families together.  I explain how many children and adults with M/A (including Hemifacial Microsomia, Treacher Collins, and Goldenhar Syndrome) have never met another person in the same situation.  Sometimes, the kids are bullied or picked on along the way in school.  So, I brought up the idea of hosting “global” picnics through our support group and Oticon loved the idea.  So, I am thrilled to know that Oticon is pleased to help our support group bring families together and help present “all” options to everyone so that everyone can make the best decisions.  From this moment on, my planning began for the picnics.  I selected hosts in each state from our support group to help other families share in the opportunity to bring families together in their own states and enjoy a rewarding experience of helping promote awareness about Microtia and Atresia as a community.  States selected for picnics the summer of 2012 are:  California, Colorado, Texas, New York, and New Jersey, including Toronto and Calgary in Canada.  I want everyone to know that although these states have been selected, I personally, even with support, just can not make it to everyone in one summer.  The goal is to hopefully rotate through states and countries every year for these family picnics.  Thank you so much Oticon for wanting to support my efforts for the Microtia and Atresia Support Group members and for supporting me as a parent advocate trying to make a difference and help everyone who has Microtia and Atresia realize that they are not alone and never will be with our support groups and community events.  Thank you!