William and Lisbeth Turner: An “Ear-Resitible” Couple
Walk4Hearing Featured Walkers
William and Lisbeth Turner and their three daughters participated in the Dayton, Ohio, Walk4Hearing
Lisbeth Turner Talks About the Walk4Hearing
Over twenty years ago, when a classmate named William volunteered to take notes for me in our college Asian History class, I never imagined that one day we would not only be married and raising a family, but that we would also be joining forces to work for a cause that is important to both of us.
You see, I was born profoundly deaf and raised in a hearing world, and my husband has been a practicing otologist for the past 11 years. We both have experienced first hand the extensive impact that hearing loss can have on people’s lives, both personally and professionally.
Having been diagnosed at age one, I have worn a hearing aid in my left ear ever since. I was taught speech and mainstreamed, and was therefore eager for anything that enabled me to avoid the isolation that can accompany hearing loss.
I will always remember the first time I watched a TV show that was captioned what an unexpected pleasure that was! How grateful I am that I can now take for granted the ability to watch television like everyone else, and thereby be tuned in with my peers. The same is true for technology and services such as special alarms, text and amplified telephones, etc., that allow people with hearing loss to be independent, contributing members of society.
A few years ago when my residual hearing began to deteriorate, my husband suggested that I look into getting a cochlear implant (CI) in my right ear. After much indecision and with the encouragement of friends, I finally took the plunge, and have not looked back ever since! My CI has vastly improved my ability to hear and with it the quality of my life. William understands this. Every day he sees patients who face all kinds of challenges due to hearing loss, and he witnesses daily the impact improving hearing through surgery and amplification with hearing aids has on patient’s lives.
Because of our experiences, we were more than willing to participate in the 2009 Walk4Hearing in Dayton, Ohio, that his office sponsored last March. We got the kids involved, as well. What a blast it was! We joined a team at his office, called “The Ear-Resistibles,” and together our team raised over $6,000.
My husband sought donations from his large family, and his colleagues, and I received donations from family and friends, some of whom I had not seen in years. We were very touched by the generosity of those who wanted to help. The two of us had a friendly competition between us to raise the most funds, and I can’t tell you who won. Our three daughters emptied their charity jar and their piggy banks for their own contributions, and they also participated in the walk. The walk itself was a huge success many people showed up, bringing their friends, relatives and even pets. We brought our King Charles Cavalier spaniel along, and she is so spoiled that we had to carry her! Afterwards we all gathered for hotdogs, burgers and face painting for the kids. There was a very real sense of camaraderie in the air. In all, it was for a great cause, and it was a great day.
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