As a parent of a son who benefits from the resources of the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, I’d like to thank state Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Falmouth, for her leadership in passing into law LD 1469, “An Act to promote private fund-raising for the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf.”

For far too long, the center has not had a designated support organization that allows it to raise funds. With the passage of LD 1469 it can raise the critical funds needed to further its critical mission: to provide high-quality, state-of-the-art services to students who are deaf and hard of hearing.

The monies raised will mean more opportunities for deaf students throughout Maine to learn, collaborate, socialize with their deaf and hard-of-hearing peers. It will also mean the long-awaited return of summer literacy, leadership and sports camps.

We know first-hand of the exemplary work of the center’s veteran staff, because our family has relied on the center for unbiased information about hearing loss, auditory skills development, and technology options since 2001. And our public schools in School Administrative District 51 continue to utilize the center’s expertise and resources to create a specialized educational program for our deaf, mainstreamed child.

Thank you Sen. Breen and thank you Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. We are so appreciative of your on-going vital support.

Maryellen Wilson
Cumberland Foreside