Deaf Fail To Seek Help

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31982, 8 May 1969, Page 2

Deaf Fail To Seek Help

Failure to accept their disability is the chief problem people who are hard of hearing face today, according to Mrs L. S. BirdHng, who has been a lip-reading tutor for nearly 13 years. Too many people would not acknowledge their deafness and were often more hard of hearing than they realised. Because of this, they failed to seek the expert help available, she said. Mrs Blrdllng will retire tomorrow as senior lip reading tutor with the Christchurch branch of the League for the Hard of Hearing. "It is Very unwise not to get the help that a hearing aid or lip reading can give, when it is soy easily obtained,” she saldyesterfiay: “Acknowledging jibe disability is half way there. Hearing aids now are vary,effesfc five and, in many eases, they combined witt lip i reading can give them- about SO per cent of vfhta: people aro'w The league wanted more lip reading students,, she said. “The Fringe” “As Was shown last year, we have barely touched the fringe of those in need of help in Christchurch. As a result of Our Deafness .Week campaign last September, our branch had a great influx of new members, more than 100 of them lip reading students. It took us quite a while to come up for air, but we have reached equilibrium now.” The large number of new members had increased the work of the league and the branch was considering extending its building tin Victoria Street, said Mrs Birdling. Finance permitting, it was hoped to build toother classroom at the back and a games room where young people who were hard of hearing could enjoy a normal social life.

Mrs Blrdllng has found the most satisfying aspect of her work, during more than 12 years with the league, has been helping members with their problems and assisting them to lead h normal, happy life. Social Functions To achieve this, the branch organises many soda! functions, where members can not only enjoy themselves but learn to use Up reading and bearing aids. .After hto; husband died, Mrs Birdiifig moved from their farm, at Little River to Christehurph . yi JW6. She

became a lip-reading tutor to fill the blank in her life, after the busy time on the farm. But teaching lip reading has been only a part of her work for the league. Mrs Birdling took a full part in establishing the branch in the comfortable and popular club rooms it has today. She organised classes in art, gardening, and bridge, to name

a few, and started subbranches of the league at Ashburton and Rangiora. Mrs Birdling will remain a member of the league but retirement will allow her more time for art, a keen interest,, and for her three daughters and 11 grandchildren. Mrs B. Oliver will take over the position of senior lipreading tutor at the end of the month. The assistant tutor is Mrs L. Overend, who replaced Miss L. F. Church when she retired last year after 10 years with the league.