I am Steve Matthews and was born profoundly deaf in the early 70’s, after a late diagnosis at age three and half I was finally fitted at four years with two hearing aids. I attended mainstream school for the majority of my school years and went on to study the National Nursery Examination Board. For about 7 years I worked with children either within a nursery setting or as a nanny. I have spent the past 9 years working in retail management for both Waitrose and Sainsbury’s. After a number of years of living with Meneires and experiencing a deterioration in the quality of my hearing, I decided to be implanted with a Cochlear Implant. This took place in June 2006, the implant worked with a very high level of success.

My history with DELTA started back in the early 90’s when I started helping out as a volunteer on the summer schools and was caring for the children, over time I became more interested in the wider field of work that DELTA carried out. I often took part in conferences and exhibitions with Wendy Adderley; I also became more involved in talking with parents and professional about the natural aural approach. Then in 2002 I was co opted to the board of trustees. In October 2006 I was elected as Chair and stood down in May 2007 to take up my current role within DELTA as their operations manager.

In my position as Chair of DELTA I set out some objectives that I wish to achieve, these have not changed. I want the message of listening, talking and achieving deaf children to reach the ears of families, educational settings, audiology clinics, newborn hearing screening programme, the government and the public at large. A natural approach to interaction, communication and language happens on a daily basis in all families no matter their culture. A Natural Aural approach is inclusive of this yet recognizes the need to tap into the child’s residual hearing and to use of audiological equipment. If my family could do it 30 years ago then with today’s technology it is very possible.

On a more personal note, I am a fast ageing 34 year old. I live in the county of Surrey with my partner Caroline. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I am involved in the DELTA Summer School programme, enjoy talking to people and have been involved in DELTA fund raising activities such as the Swimming and the Reigate to Brighton Bike Ride. I am looking forward to getting to know the families, practitioners, children and young people that are already involved in DELTA, but am even more looking forward to talking to new families and professionals who want this for young deaf babies and children in their care.

Wendy Adderley and Michelle Thomson both accepted redundancy in December 2008; we publicly thank them for the efforts and contribution to DELTA and wish them all the best in their future. They are also now life long members of DELTA.