Photo by JOHN SYKES JR.
The UCA Speech, Language, Hearing Center (UCA SLHC) has had the privilege of working with an extraordinary young man named Samson. After surviving the Rwandan genocide, he contracted meningitis in a refugee camp, leaving him deaf and blind in one eye. He overcame numerous obstacles and was chosen to study physics in the U.S. after being selected for the Rwanda Presidential Scholars Program. He arrived in our community in the fall of 2012 and has since studied American Sign Language in order to become fluent in his fourth language. He continues to receive speech-language services through the UCA SLHC, while pursuing his dream of being an oral communicator.
Recently, Samson received notice that he is a candidate for a cochlear implant. Only 5% of those with hearing loss due to meningitis are implant candidates. Despite this wonderful news, Samson has to raise his portion of the surgery costs (20%), which is approximately $12,000.00.
We would like you to help advocate for him by participating in a local fundraiser that our student organization is hosting. Please take a moment to stop by Pitza 42 and have a meal in his honor on Friday, March 14th. State that you are there to support UCA NSSLHA (The UCA Chapter of the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association) or show the photo attached to this post.
You can also make a monetary contribution to NSSLHA on his behalf by March 21, 2014. Make checks payable to NSSLHA-UCA Chapter and mail to UCA Box 4985, Conway, AR 72035. For more information, please contact Candice Robinson at 450-3310 or at crobinson@uca.edu.