Zac La Fratta
Walk4Hearing Featured Walker
Zac at the Colorado Walk4Hearing this spring.
Zac La Fratta Walks in Colorado and Washington, DC
Hello! My name is Zac La Fratta. I just recently moved from Colorado to Washington, D.C. to pursue a Doctorate of Audiology at Gallaudet University starting the fall of 2009. I have an interest in both the clinical and research settings with strong emphasis in pediatrics. I contribute my new career ambitions to my personal experiences of 20+ years without hearing aids and the exciting appeal of being my own personal audiologist.
I have a moderate-to-profound bilateral sensorineural hearing loss which I acquired from the exposure to bacterial meningitis at the age of eight months. I wore hearing aids for 12 years and received amazing support from my family and speech pathologists. However, there was something about being a teenager that instilled stubbornness and desire to become independent of any kind of help, including parting ways with my hearing aids. It wasn’t until many life experiences later that I realize what I had been missing out by accepting my own reality.
It is amazing to watch myself prosper since this epiphany. Not only did I have the courage to embrace hearing aids, new expressions and passions have crystallized. I dived into various volunteering activities related to hearing loss.
Having already participated as a co-chair for the Longmont, Colorado, Walk4Hearing this past May, I am already thirsty for more! I have moved back East to pursue a Doctorate in Audiology at Gallaudet University, and I get the privilege of participating in the Washington DC Walk4Hearing on October 17, 2009.
With the new HLA-DC Chapter I am starting, I am excited to branch out to the students of Gallaudet University, and other hard of hearing DC Metro residents and their friends and family to promote the Walk4Hearing. I think it is important for individuals who have a hearing loss to know they are not alone in their journey, and that they have access to the valuable resources.
Please show your pride and support by joining us for a scenic walk at the Tidal Basin in our nation’s capital!
Support your local Walk4Hearing!
Read About Other Featured Walkers:
|
