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(Rockville, MD - November 8, 2006) 2002 Winter Olympics gold medalist Vonetta Flowers will receive the Annie Glenn Award from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) during their 2006 Convention, November 16-18 in Miami Beach, Florida. The award recognizes Flower's advocacy efforts toward the importance of receiving treatment for hearing loss.
Ms. Flowers, whose twin son Jorden was born deaf, has become a leading advocate for the treatment of hearing loss. Flowers, whose son received an auditory brainstem implant, says she knew her son could have a productive life without hearing, but wanted to give him the chance to hear if it was possible. Jorden heard for the first time two weeks after the surgery when the implant was turned on.
The award that Flowers will receive was established in 1987 in honor of Annie Glenn, wife of Senator John Glenn, who received treatment for stuttering and who has dedicated herself to helping others with communication disorders. The "Annie" is given annually to an individual who best exemplifies Mrs. Glenn's dedication and spirit. Past recipients of the award include actors James Earl Jones, Jane Seymour, and Marlee Matlin, publicist Henry Rogers, and U.S. Senator Tom Harkin.
The annual ASHA convention is the most comprehensive development conference for speech-language pathologists, audiologists, and speech, language and hearing scientists. It features more than 1,500 educational sessions that highlight the latest developments in research and clinical practices for professionals who provide services in schools, hospitals, health care centers, rehabilitation clinics, and other practice settings.
Nearly 300 exhibitors, including hearing aid manufacturers and other companies in the speech and hearing industries, will showcase innovative products and services in the Miami Convention Center's exhibit hall. Technology presentations on products, such as computer software programs as well as alternative and augmentative communication and assistive listening devices were also featured.
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is the national professional, scientific, and credentialing association for more than 123,000 audiologists, speech-language pathologists, and speech, language, and hearing scientists. Audiologists specialize in preventing and assessing hearing disorders as well as providing audiologic treatment including hearing aids. Speech-language pathologists identify, assess, and treat speech and language problems including swallowing disorders.
Editor's Note: To arrange an interview with Vonetta Flowers, register to attend this session or for more information, contact Nancy Gibson at 301-897-7351 or ngibson@asha.org. Beginning November 16 at 8:30 a.m., the press room will be open and located in Room D34 on the third floor of the Miami Convention Center. Free parking is offered for registered reporters. Contact Nancy Gibson for more details.
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