I am proud to say that I have been appointed Chair of DELTA. A role I feel ready for and one, which I anticipate, will enable me to move the charity forward. Being hearing impaired myself, my heart and soul is already there. My family only became aware of Natural Auralism when I was 6. A chance meeting with Alison Holmans who was training as a teacher of the deaf under Sue Lewis and Con Powell gave them the confidence, that what they were doing ‘naturally’ with me was working. I have much to thank my parents for, their decisions gave me a voice and a listening ear to allow me opportunity and choice in the life ahead of me.

At the age of 17, in my training as an NNEB student I again came across Alison who encouraged me to help out at the DELTA Summer Schools. It has made me realize how much my family has done for me. It would have been so much easier for them if they had had a summer school to attend. To meet other families, meet the practitioners and to see the young people, deaf and hearing, enjoying each other's company, talking and listening would have given them confidence to keep going. However, despite this they did it.

They encouraged me from my diagnosis of a loss greater than 85db in both ears at 3½ years. We came back from the hospital with hearing aids and ear moulds held in with tape and the depressing news that I was unlikely to speak. I loved my hearing aids! I became very reliant on these. The technology then was not good but, I did it with low quality hearing aids and the help of dedicated teachers and professionals. I have accomplished this because of what went in - My family talk and talk and talk. By the age of 4 they had moved the family home to a quiet, modest close and I played outside with other kids. We went to church and the NDCS in the nearest city. I was made to join the cubs and later the swimming club they involved me in everything and they expected me to be an active participant. Being the fourth child in the family there was no time to treat me any differently, I learned to lip read. At 7 I was able to tell Mum I loved her. With my speech and language came independence and this is why they encouraged me. They wanted me to have all that was on offer and be able to choose for myself.

In my early twenties following meniere's attacks my hearing started to deteriorate further and I became totally dependant on lip reading. I have just recently (June 06) been fitted with a Cochlear implant. I loved my hearing aids as they helped me take an active and independent part in all aspects life. The cochlear implant is just a different hearing aid. A hearing aid that is already making my life so much easier as it fills in gaps that I couldn’t access through my conventional hearing aids, never having had digital aids!

Through DELTA I became part of the Young Deaf Adults Group (YDAG). I have made many friends both hearing and hearing impaired and see this group as a way of young people keeping in touch. Many of this group came on board as their families attended the early NAG and then DELTA Summer Schools and have been brought up through the Natural Aural approach. Their independence and enthusiasm for life continues to inspire new families who want the same for their children.

DELTA is a unique organization. Made up largely of volunteers. Practitioners, parents and young people, committing their time, experience and knowledge to ensure deaf children have a voice.

In my position as Chair of DELTA I want the message of listening, talking and achieving deaf children to reach the ears of families, educational settings, audiogical clinics, newborn hearing screening programmes, 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 31 year old, I work currently for Waitrose as an Assistant Section Manager running Dry Goods. 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 Schools programmes, enjoy talking to people and have been involved in DELTA fundraising 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.