“What do you want to be when you grow up?” – The Elizabeth Foundation celebrates graduates’ achievements during Deaf Awareness Week.
Past pupils from The Elizabeth Foundation now thrive in a wide range of occupations
Solicitor, Car Mechanic, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Product Engineer, Graphic Designer. Past pupils from The Elizabeth Foundation for preschool deaf children have gone on to thrive in a wide range of occupations as young adults. During Deaf Awareness Week (14-20 May 2018), join The Elizabeth Foundation in celebrating the amazing achievements of these individuals.
Founded by parents of a deaf child in 1981, The Elizabeth Foundation helps deaf children learn to listen and talk. One in 1,000 babies is born with a degree of deafness and this can significantly affect a child’s ability to communicate. However, with modern technology and appropriate intervention during their crucial early years, most deaf children can – and do – learn to communicate clearly and effectively using spoken language.
Julie Hughes, Chief Executive of The Elizabeth Foundation, commented, “We are always so delighted when our “graduates” get in touch and tell us what they have been able to achieve since their time with us. Our services aim to provide a launchpad for future successes – and we can’t wait to see what our current children go on to achieve!”
The Elizabeth Foundation provides its preschool education services to offer young deaf children the best possible start in life, so they can progress successfully through school and into their adult life. The careers of some of the young adults who benefited from The Elizabeth Foundation’s services as children demonstrate clearly the positive impact of early intervention.
Amongst the individuals who attended the charity’s nursery in the 1990s, there are now young adults enjoying success in almost all walks of life. For example:
- Imogen is a Solicitor who specialises in Wills and Probate and serves as one of the charity’s Trustees
- Sam is a Head Mechanic in a Japanese Performance garage
- Sarah works as an Occupational Therapy Assistant in the NHS
- Ryan is a Product Engineer at a medical equipment company
- Jefferson is a Graphic Designer (and in his spare time helps design some of the charity’s materials)
Product Engineer Ryan Jones, said: “My cochlear implant has helped me to live a normal life and I wouldn’t be where I am without it. The Elizabeth Foundation was an amazing place for me and my family, and they have helped us all through a hard time in our lives. It will always be a special place.”
