Tale of a hypocrisy and Marlee Matlin

News is still reverberating about the latest development on the treatment for hearing loss when gerbils in a laboratory were deliberately made deaf had their hearing loss reversed using human embryonic stem cells.

The stem cells were used to make immature nerve cells. Those were then transplanted into the deaf ears of 18 gerbils.  

Ten weeks later, the rodents' hearing ability had improved by an average of 46 percent, with recovery ranging from modest to almost complete, the researchers reported.

Not totally a cure yet but certainly in that direction that hearing loss or nerve deafness can certainly be reversed.  A key conceptual working model demonstrated here using the medical knowledge and technique that can readily be applied on humans, and that adult stem cells would be used as well.

With that news Marlee Matlin was asked about the medical break through with stem cells.

“Think about this. What if someone told you that you could’ve been made different than the content person you are with genetics. Would you? Now think how millions of deaf people who lead productive lives, would feel when told that babies born deaf can be ‘cured’.”  

Matlin also told followers, “Be proud of who you are, regardless of what people think is a “handicap” or “normal.” Normal is what you want to be. Don’t let anyone tell you who or what you should be.”

The problem here in reference to the yellow highlighted part above is that parents of deaf or hard of hearing babies have the parental and legal right to make an informed decision regarding the use of stem cells to reverse their baby's hearing loss once that procedure becomes safely available. They can either go forward with the treatment or reject it. And odds are quite high that most parents will prefer to opt for the stem cells treatment than to forego it. This would be absolutely true when we have someday stem cells that can reverse blindness or low vision condition would parents opt for that treatment for their blind or low vision babies. Chances are high that culturally deaf parents of a deaf/blind baby would stop at nothing to see that their baby get the stem cells treatment for blindness but not deafness when they value more on vision than hearing. Just as any parents would see any other medical condition would they like to see reversed for their babies. A hypocrisy in action folks. In fact, there wouldn't be any outcry from the culturally deaf community if there was a stem cells treatment that could reverse vision loss in babies, children, teens and adults.

But here's another "hypocrisy" about Marlee Matlin's. She champions for the donation of free hearing aids to deaf and hard of children around the world with the Starkey Hearing Foundation. I think this is great! In fact she regularly attends this annual gala event called, "So the world may hear." This year's gala 2012 event raised a record $7.6 million dollars and had many notable celebrities like:

President Bill Clinton, Maria Bello, Robin Williams, Marlee Matlin, Billy Crystal, Forest Whitaker and Sammy Sosa attended this year's Awards Gala, which raised a record $7.6M. But the biggest star was the power of hearing.

And yet she warns us about stem cells treatment for hearing loss? What's her stance on stem cells treatment for curing blindness or low vision in babies?

The power of hearing. Yes, that's a strong draw and reason for people to support on finding ways to alleviate hearing loss. Even Lou Ferrigno (who received his Esteem Envoy implantable hearing aid) and Gary Busey (Marlee Matlin confronted Busey his hearing loss that he needs to get a hearing aid seen in the Celebrity Apprentice show by which $1 million dollar was raised for Starkey Hearing Foundation) who were at the gala event as well. It won't be long until celebrities support for the cure for hearing loss through stem cells treatment.

Now, here's the irony.

Marlee Matlin is perhaps unwittingly helping people understand and value the power of hearing for several years by attending the "So the World May Hear" gala annual event that began in 1984 and supports the distribution of free hearing aids to children around the world. Deaf and hard of hearing children around the world with their free hearing aids are getting a taste of that power of hearing and experience the joy of being able to hear sound.  And with that taste in mind already experienced they certainly would want to opt for stem cells treatment to reverse their own hearing loss if they had that choice and the means to do so.

Now, I'm sure some in the culturally deaf community would express their shock and outrage over this but let me remind some of the culturally deaf people that the bulk of their community do wear hearing aids and cochlear implants. Look around whenever you are with a group of deaf and hard of hearing friends. How many of them are wearing hearing aids and cochlear implants? Why are they wearing hearing aids? Why cochlear implants? What makes you think they would not want to opt for stem cells treatment to reverse or simply improve their own hearing?  What makes you think they would not support parental rights to make an informed decision to provide stem cells treatment to reverse hearing loss for their deaf/hh babies?

So, who is really showing the hypocrisy here?

Is the death of culturally deaf community that far behind? Or is it just plain paranoia? 

Marlee Matlin's New 7-Up Poster Ad

Very nice. And cool graphics, too. Feel the love, man! Feel the love!

Be proud!

Drink 7-Up!

John Rich or Marlee Matlin?

Finally watched the last Celebrity Apprentice show and saw that Mr. Donald Trump picked John Rich as the Celebrity Apprentice over Marlee Matlin. It's interesting to watch the culturally deaf people grumble about the selection saying that Mr. Trump made a mistake. I, on the other hand, do not think Mr. Trump made a mistake but the correct one. John Rich was consistent in everything he did including being a leader. Had Marlee Matlin been more aggressive as a leader rather than be lead around like a lost puppy with Meatloaf making the decisions. That not only happened once but a few times throughout the whole Celebrity Apprentice show. Marlee Matlin may have raised the most money in the beginning with $1 million dollars, the most ever on the show but it was John Rich's consistency on being a leader as project team leader that everyone can look up to. Marlee Matlin was great but she fell a notch below Trump's expectation of her and she lost an opportunity to showcase herself to be a thorough leader. I wasn't surprised that Mr. Trump selected John Rich as the C.A. Trump made the right decision.

I'm not sure why during the show that Marlee Matlin grumbled about John Rich receiving $250,000 from two people who came up to him during the show and donated the money to his charity of choice. It would be nuts for him to turn it down and Marlee Matlin knows it. And with John winning C.A. and received an additional $250,000 makes him the highest fund raiser ever on C.A. for his charity of choice. He fulfilled his goal at the very beginning of the show to raise the most cash for his charity of choice. He certainly did just that. Shows great leadership and compassion. Marlee Matlin did a great job on raising $1 million dollars for her charity of choice, Starkey Hearing Foundation. Plus, the 7-up can her team helped designed supports deaf kids where the 7-up company is donating money to the Starkey Hearing Foundation as well. And that's another story on how some culturally deaf people are grumbling and whining over her charity of choice, too.

What Marlee said about Starkey

I agree. And I support what she's doing. Check out the screen capture on what she said in Twitter just recently.

How true!

Marlee Matlin stands out....literally.

Here's a tweeted note from Marlee Matlin thanking Donald Trump for allowing her the opportunity to raise $1 million for Starkey Hearing Foundation and a shout out thanks for the stunningly beautiful dress she wore at a recent award event.

MarleeMatlin 

So indebted @marcbouwer for my BEAUTIFUL dress http://tinyurl.com/3sf92px & @DonaldJTrump for allowing me to raise $$ for @starkeyhearing

All I can say is, whoa!

NFL stars hand out Starkey hearing aids in Rwanda

Truly impressive charity work in Africa with various pro football players from different teams came together on a single mission, to help distribute and outfit hearing aids to those who cannot afford them.

A group of National Football League stars has spent the past week travelling through Rwanda and Uganda fitting free hearing aids on people too poor to afford them.

Notable NFL stars on the trip included: Tennessee Titans' Derrick Morgan, Tampa Bay Bucs' Gerald McCoy, Cincinnati Bengals' Roy Williams, former Chicago Bears' Tommie Harris, San Francisco 49ers' Vernon Davis, Miami Dolphins' Vontae Davis and Minnesota Vikings' Bryant McKinnie and Adrian Peterson.

They travelled through remote areas of Rwanda as well as the capital Kigali as part of an effort to distribute more than 22,000 hearing aids to needy people in Africa.

The initiative was organised by the Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based Starkey Hearing Foundation and Pros for Africa, a non-profit organisation based in Okhlahoma City.

And these are truly remote whose families are extremely poor. Even the poorest of towns in the U.S. in Africa would Africans regard them as one of the richest towns in Africa. These are the rays of hope that these guys can give with the help of the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

One single switch of a hearing aid inspires hundreds. Multiply that by 22,000 hearing aids and you have one heck of an inspiration impacting millions of people. Each year Starkey Hearing Foundation give away over 100,000 hearing aids.

Priceless.

No wonder Marlee Matlin supports the Starkey Hearing Foundation.

A Poll: Approve Marlee Matlin donating $1 million dollars to Starkey Hearing Foundation?

On the Celebrity Apprentice show last night Marlee Matlin was able to raise an astounding $1 million dollars and donated it to her favorite charity, the Starkey Hearing Foundation where thousands of free hearing aids will be donated to deserving kids around the world because of her generosity. For more information and captioned video go here.

Captioned: Marlee Matlin interview on "The Talk" show

Captioning courtesy of Kokonut Pundit.

I spent three hours of my time to get this ready by listening to it on YouTube, writing it down, accessing Overstream.net, editing, and adding captions to it. It is a laborious process but it can be done. If I can do it as a one person effort I'm sure others can, too, whether if videos are done in spoken English or sign language. Travesty is when organizations, small or large, that target the deaf and hard of hearing population won't do their captioning. It'd be even worse among the signing organizations or companies who won't even put in an ounce of effort to include captioning for their signing videos. It wouldn't be just a travesty but plain hypocritical of them to behave like that. No excuse in this day and age when communication access is important over the internet for people with hearing loss. None. No excuse for organizations no matter how small or large to not caption their videos with the intention to reach a deaf and hard of hearing audience. Otherwise these organizations would simply be the selfish ones.


Enjoy the interview.

Marlee uses her voice on Celebrity Apprentice

I've begun to catch up on the Celebrity Apprentice show only because Marlee Matlin is in it. I normally don't watch that show but while watching the episodes I noticed that Marlee has used her voice several times and no signing at all. Sometimes I hear her when she uses her voice talking but the show doesn't pick it up with their captions.

One example of that is captioned as seen in a screen capture of her saying "Okay. We're home" as seen in the screen capture in Season 4, Episode 4 ("Off the Hook") at the 10:05 minute mark as seen on the Hulu video.

Sometimes she uses her voice at the same time with her signing such as in Episode 4 (48:40 mark) during the commercial making challenge for the ACN video phone by voicing to her daughter on how much she missed her.

Now, nothing wrong with her using her voice but I simply noticed this of hers and whether anybody else picked up on that as well. It's good that she is using her voice and not be afraid to use it for fear of some crazy public backlash. Just like not being afraid to show her support for the Starkey Foundation on giving out free hearing aids to kids from around the world, too. She even wears Starkey hearing aids, too. At least she's busting the stereo-type that all deaf people are unable to use their voice to communicate just like most people can.

Episode 5 should be interesting on testing her leadership qualities as the Project Manager. My wife enjoys every bit of any shows or movies with Marlee Matlin in it. After all, both my wife and Marlee Matlin knew each other in high school as school mates and friends while living in Chicago.

Addendum:

Check out this poll about the $1 million dollars donation to Starkey Hearing Foundation on whether people approve or not the donation for free hearing aids to deserving kids from around the world, I'm sure Marlee Matlin approves.

2011 Hear the World Sound Academy: Amplifying the Grand Canyon

This is pretty cool.

2011 Hear the World Sound Academy:
Amplifying the Grand Canyon

Global Explorers, in partnership with Phonak's Hear the World initiative, is excited to announce the first-ever Sound Academy in Grand Canyon National Park.

Twenty lucky students with and without hearing loss will embark on the expedition of a lifetime. The team will raft the Colorado River; hike slot canyons; collect data with an acoustical scientist; and learn about the interplay between human beings, wildlife and the rugged Southwest landscape through the world of sound. Post-trip, the student ambassadors will launch a Hear the World online campaign to educate others about hearing loss and sound, including a sound-themed podcast for the National Park Service.

When: July 31-August 7, 2011
Who: Full-time students ages 15-20 with and without hearing loss
Price: $1,700 + round-trip airfare to Las Vegas, NV | Limited scholarships available

We expect to have partial and full scholarships available; more details will be available at the end of February. If you are interested in the Sound Academy, please apply and we will keep you informed about the scholarship application process!

Nominate a student, offer a scholarship, or learn more at www.globalexplorers.org/heartheworld. Applications are available online and due February 26.

Questions? Contact Laura Portalupi at laura@globalexplorers.org or 877.627.1425.

Do you have a student you want to nominate?

Here are some more info.

The majesty of the Grand Canyon summons a profound connection with nature and a deep sense of purpose as few places can. But this world-famous natural wonder faces a serious threat: noise pollution. While rafting the incredible Colorado River and exploring side canyons by foot, we will learn about the interplay between human beings, wildlife, and this rugged land through the world of sound. Guided by an acoustical scientist, we will collect sound data in the Diamond Down section of Grand Canyon for use in Grand Canyon National Park’s backcountry management plan.

Sound deepens our experience of the world and the capacity to hear is a fundamental part of life, yet one in five teenagers experiences some degree of hearing loss. The Hear the World Sound Academy will foster awareness about hearing loss and sound preservation while equipping you with the tools needed to step up and make a difference in the world. Using hearing loss awareness as a case study, you will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to launch a campaign for a cause you believe in.

Trip Leader Profile: Bill Barkeley

We are fortunate to have Bill Barkeley as one of the Global Explorers expedition leaders on this adventure. As one of 15,000 people in the U.S. with Usher’s Syndrome (Type 2) (the leading cause of deaf-blindness in the world), Bill’s 2007 summit of Mount Kilimanjaro shattered expectations (read article). With the assistance of Phonak hearing technology, Bill was successful in not only reaching the summit but also in sharing a story of inspiration, determination and aspiration, telling the world about assistive technologies available to those with hearing and vision problems (view Bill’s Phonak testimonial video).

Did you know about 800 million people worldwide are affected by hearing loss?
Hear the World is a global initiative by leading hearing instrument manufacturer Phonak to raise awareness about the importance of hearing and the consequences of hearing loss. Learn more about Hear the World here.

Raising hearing loss awareness is very important and people need to be aware it so that the world may hear.

Captioned Videos of Underprivledged People Receiving their Starkey Hearing Aids

Here's a captioned video of Starkey Hearing Foundation's trip to the Dominican Republican in 2009 where 2,200 hearing aids were distributed under the "So the World Can Hear" mission. In this video there are a few kids who signed "thank you" as well as adults who gave out tearful hugs of thanks after receiving their free Starkey hearing aids. Music and song in background, captioning begins about a quarter of a way into the video.

You can find more videos of these Starkey Hearing Foundation's "So the World Can Hear" missions to Tampa (2009). Phoenix 2009 (16 MB),Peru (2009), Nepal (2008), Mozambique (2008), Malawi (2008), Egypt (2008), Puerto Rico (2008) and the NBA All Star Week (2008). The captioned video of Peru is nice with a crowd of Starkey heairng aid recipents all signing "We...love...you!" And you'll see a few signs of "Thank you" and such. In Lima, Peru, over 3000 hearing aids were distributed.

Here's a captioned video on YouTube of a recent trip to Toluca, Mexico earlier this month. you can see the thanks in their eyes, their words and gestures.

Marlee Matlin Supports "So the World May Hear"

Marlee Matlin, the famously well known Deaf actress in Hollywood, supports the Starkey Hearing Foundation's philanthropy and mission "So the World May Hear." In her June 8, 2008 MySpace blog she exclaimed:

Then Fabian and I will jet up to Minneapolis for the annual "So the World May Hear" benefit that raises much needed funds and sponsors missions (like one you saw on DWTS) to remote parts of the world and help give poor children the gift of hearing. This year they're honoring Billy Jean King and I've heard there's a very special surprise musical guest performing, though I know who it is. It's going to knock the audience's socks off!

Marlee Matlin appears in the October 2008 "So the World May Hear" newsletter. On page 5 of the newsletter Marlee Matlin can be seen with in a group picture (see below) with St. Louis Cardinals’ Mascot, Bill Austin, Boys & Girls Clubs of America President Roxanne Spillett, MLB Legends Fred Lynn, Gaylord Perry, George Brett, Rollie Fingers, Robin Roberts and MLB President and COO Bob DuPuy standing in the back while kneeling in the foreground are Marlee Matlin, Debbie Wright, Reebok Representative Joe Van Buskirk, Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation Director Cindy Picerni and Pittsburgh Pirates’ Mascot.




Below is another picture from Audiology Online of Marlee Matlin and her interpreter in a dance pose along with Bill and Tani Austin at the 2008 gala "So the World May Hear."






During Marlee Matlin's debut on "Dancing with the Stars" last year she wore her Starkey hearing aids.

First, many persons with profound hearing loss can still benefit from the use of quality hearing aids. Marlee wears hearing aids manufactured by Starkeys Labs which contain their proprietary BluWave’ signal processing technology.

In addition, Marlee felt the concussive pulsing beat from the lowest frequencies. The bass guitar and bass drum deliver waves through the floor, the walls and allowed Marlee to feel the rhythm of the music. Hey, your entire body is one big tuning fork!

Finally, Marlee relied on her dance partner, Fabian Sanchez, to keep the moves on track and in synch. Hes my music, Marlee proclaimed. The couple modified some of the moves so Marlee could maintain physical or eye contact with Fabian more frequently, though she had no trouble cha-cha-chaing her way across the stage, engaged in complex dance steps that were eye-popping.

Lou Ferrigno, Marlee Matlin and many other well known celebrities also attended again for the 2009 gala "So the World May Hear" held in July. They can be seen here in a collage of pictures of stars posing with Bill Austin, the guy who made it all possible the philanthropy and mission to provide hearing aids to rural areas, to underprivledged people, and those in 3rd world or poor countries. Marlee Matlin has attended previous "So the World May Hear" galas in the past for several years.

This philanthropy and mission continue to grow in terms of monies donated and the growing support to make this work a smashing success. After all, hearing is a gift and can be seen in the faces of thousands through pictures and videos of those who received their hearing aids. In 2007, for example, they were able to raise $4.5 million dollars. That's alot of hearing aids to distribute and support.

With the help of dozens of well-known and highly respected celebrities, including Jim Belushi, Lou Ferrigno, Glenn Frey, Goldie Hawn, Jay Leno, Kenny Loggins, Marlee Matlin, Leslie Nielsen, Mickey Rooney, Kevin Sorbo, Robert Wagner, and many others, the Starkey Hearing Foundation raised a record $4.5 million at its annual "So the World May Hear" Awards Gala, which was held on Saturday, June 23 in St. Paul, Minn.

"For the seventh year in a row we had tremendous support from our friends all over the world who helped us raise an amazing $4.5 million to further our mission of promoting hearing health awareness and helping the world to hear," said William F. Austin, founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. "I offer my heartfelt thanks to everyone who was a part of this year's Gala and who, through their generosity of time and money, helped make the world a better place for so many children."

The Starkey Hearing Foundation is known for donating hearing aids to underprivileged children both here in the United States and in countries all over the globe. Thanks to funds raised during this annual event, the Foundation has been able to donate an estimated 200,000 hearing aids in the past seven years alone in an effort to give the gift of hearing to those in need.

In the 2008 gala they raised $5 million dollars and this year's gala they raised just as much. And so far they have distributed over 440,000 hearing aids around the world and many more into the future. It won't be long til the Starkey Foundation reaches the millionth hearing aid mark.

The gift of hearing? Priceless.

So the world may hear...

Here are two organizations that provide hearing aids to the needy and poor around the world including children.

One is called "So the World May Hear" organization by the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Well known celebrities like Heather Whitestone and Lou Ferrigno support this mission. Plus many, many more well known celebrities that have attended the annual "So the World May Hear" award gala with the recent gala on July 12, 2009.

Elton John, Billy Crystal, Tony Bennett and Gladys Knight Headline at Ninth Annual So the World May Hear Awards Gala.

What an incredible line-up of stars, and what a magnificent evening of entertainment, celebration and generosity. The kind of generosity that is simply unprecedented. The kind of generosity that is born of passion and commitment. “The kind of generosity that will allow us to open the world as we know it—a world of music, laughter, language, and love—to kids all over the world by giving them the gift of hearing,” said William F. Austin, founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation. “I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who made our 2009 Gala a success.”

The evening featured the comedy of Billy Crystal as well as performances by Gladys Knight, Tony Bennett and Ethan Bortnick. After saluting Bill and Tani Austin as two of the most important people in his life, Elton John capped off the evening with a touching and memorable one-hour performance that included such hits as “Rocket Man,” “Your Song,” “Daniel,” and “Circle of Life.” The inspirational evening would not have been complete without the recognition of four individuals and one corporation for their significant contributions to humanity. This year’s award recipients included comedian Norm Crosby, the 1961 New York Yankees, Minnesota philanthropists and business leaders Marilyn and Dr. Glen Nelson, and Rayovac, a long-time supporter of Starkey Hearing Foundation.

Additional celebrity guests who attended this year’s Gala included performers JC Chasez and Sam Moore; actors Lou Ferrigno, Verne Troyer and Robert Culp; TV personalities Alan Kalter and Paige Hemmis; astronaut Buzz Aldrin; golf legend Arnold Palmer; 1961 Yankees teammates Moose Skowron, Whitey Ford, Ralph Terry, and Bob Turley as well as Mickey Mantle’s son David Mantle; Southern Methodist University head football coach June Jones; songwriter Paul Williams; comedian Norm Crosby; and many others. In addition, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, Minnesota Vikings head coach Brad Childress, Minnesota Vikings trainer Eric Sugarman, University of Minnesota head basketball coach Tubby Smith, Marilyn and Dr. Glen Nelson, and several Minnesota Vikings players.

The other organization that benefits directly the children around the world is called "Hearing Angel." So far to date they have outfitted over 340,000 hearing aids to children around the world and saw miles of smiles as a result. One girl even expressed her gratitude to be able to hear sound again to the people who gave and outfitted her new hearing aid.

Please visit these two sites and learn what you can do for those who can use the joy of sound in their lives. The man, William Austin, who started the Starkey Hearing Foundation, read his story on how it all started.