A
Resource for Patients and Families
In
May of 2001, the University of Michigan Cochlear Implant Program
was proud to announce the opening of the Brian Waddell Memorial
Library. The library was made possible by a generous donation from
Don and Carol Waddell and Brian's many friends and family members
following his death in a car accident in 1999. While Brian was not
a cochlear implant user, he did have a hearing impairment. His family
wished to honor his memory with support to the University of Michigan
in a way that promoted the awareness of hearing impairment. A plaque
honoring Brian marks the library, which is housed in an office near
the patient waiting area of the Hearing Rehabilitation Center.
The
library is home to hundreds of volumes of books on a wide range
of topics related to hearing loss including cochlear implant technology
and research, rehabilitation of speech and auditory abilities for
children and adults, parenting issues, and personal experiences
of those with hearing loss. A selection of videotapes covering sign
language instruction, auditory development, and other topics is
also available. The library also includes a television for viewing
videos and a selection of assistive listening devices for trial
and hands-on investigation. A computer is also available for internet
searches.
The
Cochlear Implant Program welcomes any donations to the library including
books, materials or funds to expand our offerings. Book donations
will be marked with a special bookplate inscribed with your name
and the year of the donation. Please contact Terry Zwolan at (734)
998-8119 or by email at zwolan@umich.edu if you are interested in
making any kind of donation.
Brian
A special child whose life we shared,
Who gave a hug to show he cared,
Eyes that twinkled – always bright,
Not wanting to close till late in the night.
Always trying to do well and achieve,
What his ears couldn’t hear,
he would somehow perceive,
Was he teaching us all to keep “keeping on?
When adversity tells us we can’t carry on?
The life of our Brian was taken too soon,
We must all remember, like Brian, to shoot for the moon,
to smile at a stranger, to hold someone’s hand,
to live out our lives the best that we can.
May we honor his memory by living each day
not letting obstacles get in our way,
of doing and being our very best,
By not giving up when we’re put to the test.
In time, our tears will start to dry,
our hearts will hurt a little less,
we’ll remember Brian with a smile
always missing his caress.
- Peggy Lynn Balfanz 1998
Borrowing
Procedure
The
library has become very popular with our patients and families.
In order to keep the library running smoothly and protect the books
for future use, the following borrowing procedure has been adopted.
Please remember, too, that there are some books that are considered
"reference" material and cannot be checked out, including
those in the professional section.
1.) After
deciding on a book you would like to check out, locate its corresponding
card in the file box.
2.) Write a
check for the amount shown on the card and indicate "book deposit"
on the memo line. Make your check payable to U of M Cochlear
Implant Program.
3.) Take the
card and check to the reception desk. One of our receptionists (Margaret
or Michelle) will indicate a return date on the card and place it
in our file. Books may be checked out for 1 month.
4.) Return
the book by mail or in person by the indicated date and your check
will be returned to you.
- You will
receive one reminder phone call if the book is
not returned. Your check will be deposited if the book is not
returned promptly.
- Limit two
items per checkout
In Memory
of Brian Waddell
| Brian
Waddell would have been very proud to have his name associated
with a library and training center named after him, especially
one that is helping the hearing disabled. Brian suffered
from a bout with Meningitis as an infant resulting in a
moderate to severe hearing loss. He wore hearing aids from
the age of ten months, but to him, they were normal and
he was unfazed by the attention they brought. He never acknowledged
any disability or made excuses, and most people never knew
he was hearing impaired unless they noticed his "ears"
or hearing aids. Brian's teachers were amazed at his abilities
because when their testing showed he should not be able
to do something, he was driven not only to do it, but to
excel at whatever it was. Brian was an accomplished student,
athelete and musician - he started drum lessons at the age
of six. He was taken from us early, at the age of nine,
we miss him dearly, but we are proud to have his memory
instilled in a resource that will help countless others. |
Don
and Carol Waddell |
Library
Offerings
Here is a
sample of books and materials now available in the Brian Waddell
Memorial Library:
Adults:
Parents:
- Parenting
with Love and Logic
by Foster Cline, MD & Jim Fay
- The
Complete IEP Guide
by Lawrence Siegel
Children
& Young Adults:
- Moses
Goes to a Concert
by Isaac Millman
- Views
from Our Shoes: Growing Up with a Brother or Sister with Special
Needs
by Donald Meyer
- Begin
the World Again
by Bettie Cannon
|
