Jacquie Reid is a member of the CHHA-Hamilton Area and worked as a newsletter, editor and communications for 10 years.
What motivated you to join CHHA?
In addition to hearing loss, I also suffer with Meniere’s disease (dizzy spells), which I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy – I was looking for a Meniere’s support group and CHHA was suggested. As a result, I was able to speak with Joan Miller who was the CHHA-Hamilton president at that time. Joan became my CHHA mentor and this group has been a lifeline for me.
What is your favorite part about volunteering?
So often, when someone reaches out for help, they are feeling concerned & frustrated. Being able to chat or e-mail with someone that is experiencing the same problems becomes part of the healing process. It’s rewarding knowing you’ve been able to help someone.
In what capacity do you currently volunteer for your network?
My position entails creating our four annual newsletters, flyers for upcoming meetings & speech reading classes, as well as the administrator for CHHA-Hamilton Face Book page. A constant chore that keeps me busy is trying to find sponsors & speakers for our various events. . . . and when there is no COVID-19, I attend numerous health fairs in the region representing CHHA.
What is your vision for CHHA?
At CHHA-Hamilton & Area Branch we are all volunteers, working out of our own homes and using our own computers. I look forward to the time when we will have an office where people can drop in for support, for meetings and speech reading classes. Also, I visualize a day when CHHA will receive more recognition and our area branches will continue to grow.
What would you like to see the organization achieve in one or three years?
During this pandemic we have had to cancel our in-person meetings. They’ve been invited to join us in a captioned, virtual Zoom get-together. While we are physically separated, we are ready to socially connect. While not everyone is able to attend our in-person meetings, the virtual events will allow people to see what CHHA is all about. In the end, it may encourage them to attend future seminars.
Many people who require our support do not know CHHA exists. My vision for CHHA-Hamilton’s future will be to have the above-mentioned office. And that’s what CHHA is all about . . . supporting and learning from each other in spite of our hearing loss! Hearing loss awareness is important to reach the mainstream. If we do not grow, then we are doomed to failure, so marketing skills should be high on our agenda.
Do you have a message you wish to share with the membership?
It is important to remember “You are not alone!” Initially, I came for support, and now I volunteer. You can do the same!