Meet my friend Nate. I was Nathan and his family’s Auditory-Verbal Therapist and good friends today. Nate traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in AG Bell’s LOFT (Leadership Opportunities for Teens) program earlier this month. LOFT was established in 1996 and is dedicated to shaping and transforming the lives of deaf and hard of hearing teens by fostering valuable skills of self-advocacy, self-confidence, leadership, and communication. For five days, Nate bonded with 18 other kids, learned a lot, had a blast, and did plenty of sightseeing.
Nate has a great personality advanced in academics, literacy, and social skills. A few of his achievements include:
Competitive Speech Team. Nate's events include persuasive speech and radio speaking
Honors French for his foreign language requirement
Nathan will soon earn the highest honor and national-level recognition for Boy Scouts of America as a Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.
Photography became Nate’s interest and hobby during the pandemic. He bought his own camera and is taking photography classes.
Nate is personable, curious, compassionate, and a well-rounded young man. His speech, language, and academic abilities are commensurate with his hearing peers. This is a result of Nate's family's unwavering commitment to listening and spoken language, his cochlear implant hearing technology, the dedicated professionals on his team, and Nate's motivation and work ethic.
Nate’s Dad and Mom took turns attending our auditory verbal therapy sessions which was an essential part of his listening and spoken language success.
Nate and his Mom kicking off a new school year last week.
Over the years I have had many of my auditory verbal graduates attend LOFT. Part of what makes AG Bell's LOFT programs so important to these teens is the everlasting bond they establish with their peers who often become lifelong friends.
Learn more about the LOFT program at the Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.