Article From Ear Community

Ear Community is proud to announce that Camilla Gilbert of Cincinnati, Ohio is the first recipient of an Ear Community college scholarship. Camilla was born with Grade III Bilateral Microtia and Atresia and has never had reconstructive surgery. Even though Camilla was born deaf, she says “fortunately my family was able to afford a bone conductor (hearing aid) so I could function in the “Hearing World.” While growing up in a predominantly African American neighborhood, Camilla says “my peers and in some cases their parents, looked down on people with special needs…My vision is to educate individuals, that instead of teasing or looking down on people with special needs we need to build each other up.” Camilla is currently working toward her degree in American Sign Language as an interpreter and then plans to earn her Masters Degree in Social Work. Camilla plans on giving back to the deaf and hard of hearing community providing support to both deaf and hard of hearing children and their parents. In Camilla’s community, there is only one residential school available to help children who are deaf and hard of hearing. She says “some families are unable to afford the tuition and the deaf and hard of hearing community really needs more options in the city.

Camilla’s goal is to develop a deaf and hard of hearing camp for the Greater Cincinnati area that will bring all members of this community together. When Camilla is not focusing on work and school, she is spending time with her daughter. Camilla is also the secretary of the Interpreter Training Program Club, a Volunteer Member of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), and has been a member of the Microtia and Atresia Support Group for the past 2.5 years. Camilla currently maintains a GPA of 3.8 and she is looking forward to attending Ear Community’s Ohio Microtia and Atresia Summer Family Picnic this June. Camilla’s scholarship is for $750.00 (USD).

Congratulations from all of us at Ear Community, Camilla and thank you for giving back to the deaf and hard of hearing community.

Melissa Tumblin Founder and Executive Director of Ear Community Founder of the Microtia and Atresia Support Group