SC AG Bell hosts family picnic at Saluda Shoals

Dr. Nikki Burrows, director of the USC Cochlear Implant Team, and her daughter Anna-Kate The SC Chapter of the AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing held its annual family picnic at Saluda Shoals Park on Saturday, April 19. The attendees, families and professionals, munched on fried chicken, fruit, cookies and other traditional picnic foods. Graduate students from the Auditory Verbal Track in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders at USC conducted craft activities with the children and supervised play activities and a moon walk so parents and professionals could network with one another.

Dr. Jack King, a professor at MUSC and current president of the state chapter, said, "Our chief problem has been getting the word to parents that SCAG Bell is out there to support them. There are many families that lack financial resources or have other disadvantages in their struggle to help their children learn to listen and speak. Spreading the word that we are out there to help has been difficult."

The picnic provided the families with a chance for the children to communicate with other children who use hearing aids and cochlear implants. The parents had the opportunities to share experiences and ideas with one another and to touch base with the AG Bell Board Members to apprise them of their needs and progress.

Dr. Jack King, SC AG Bell president , talks about the issues. Dr. King is a bilateral Cochlear Implant user. King thinks the picnic was a success and hopes that the upcoming SCAG Bell events will be as equally successful. This year's fall conference will be held in Charleston and will feature Dr. Carol Flexer who will talk about research findings and how to use them to help children.

SCAG Bell also has plans to start interacting with the state government agencies and with the legislature to highlight needs.

Jay Price sports a balloon sword made for him by Mr. Zantastic, the Balloon Man Mr. Zantastic, the Balloon Man, thrilled the kids with balloon shapes. Savien Jones checks out the sandbox. Dr.Cheryl Rogers from the USC Cochlear Implant Team, talks with guests. Dr. Warren G.Walsh Jr, his wife Elisa, and son Trip. Both Trip and his brother Preston listen with a Cochlear Implant. Preston Walsh is proud to show of a bug he found.