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Jeremy's story

A big move for Jeremy

Moving to a new city is quite daunting. Doing so with young children, including one who is deaf, is even more so. But when Leanne and David moved to Alice Springs in 2007 with their then five-year-old twins, Jeremy and Georgia, they did so with peace of mind. RIDBC would be with them.

“Alice Springs is a great place for the kids. It was a huge decision to move, but it was great to know that Jeremy could still receive support from RIDBC,” Leanne said.

Jeremy was born profoundly deaf. He has been receiving assistance from the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children since he was three years old.

“ RIDBC has also organised link-ups between our family, RIDBC staff, and other medical and education professionals in order to share information about Jeremy's progress. ”

“Jeremy had cochlear implant surgery in 2006 while we were still in Bellingen. RIDBC was fantastic at helping us through that process and equipping us with the skills to ensure Jeremy's language development,” Leanne said.

RIDBC is still in regular contact with Jeremy – and many children like him –through the RIDBC Teleschool. All around Australia, RIDBC Teleschool uses the latest in communications technology to provide education services to hearing and vision impaired children via videoconferencing sessions, phone calls and emails.

Nicole Simon, a Therapist/Consultant with RIDBC, works with Jeremy. Each week Nicole sets out lesson plans using books, games and toys that will develop Jeremy’s listening, speech and language skills. She sends a set of the materials to Jeremy and keeps an identical set for herself.

During their regular videoconferencing sessions, Nicole and Jeremy go through the activities together – Nicole at RIDBC in Sydney, and Jeremy in the comfort of his family home in Alice Springs. The activities can then be repeated by both Leanne and David at other times, in a range of everyday situations.

But RIDBC plays a broader role in Jeremy’s life.

“RIDBC has also organised link-ups between our family, RIDBC staff, and other medical and education professionals in order to share information about Jeremy's progress,” Leanne said.

Jeremy is now six years old, and has just started Year One at school. Although it has taken a lot of time and dedication, Jeremy is progressing like any boy his age.

“Jeremy is very inquisitive; he loves learning and is always asking lots of questions. We're very proud of him,” said Leanne.