Learning aid goes missing

By Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star - May 09, 2008

A talking stick that speaks volumes for a hearing impaired college student has gone missing.

Sheila (did not want her last name used), a first-year Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy student, uses the electronic device to help her with her studies. Instructors wear the device, which has an FM transmitter that sends the signal directly to Sheila’s hearing aids, around their neck.

On April 29, a Tuesday afternoon, Sheila was waiting to catch the 1:52 p.m. city bus in the 4100 block of Alexis Park Drive. The zipper on her coat was stuck, and as she was trying to fix it, the bus pulled up.

Sheila, who is also legally blind, grabbed her bags but inadvertently left her purse, which contained the talking stick, at the bus stop. When she realized what had happened, she asked the bus driver to stop and let her off. She walked back to where the purse had been, but it was gone.

“On Sheila’s behalf, we would like to appeal to anyone who may have information that would help recover this electronic device,” said Terry Francis, the college’s clinic director.

The device is attached to a cord that is worn around the instructor’s neck. It’s about five inches long and two inches wide. The exterior is silver.

There is also a separate remote control in a black case in the purse that allows Sheila to operate the device from a distance. It also includes a telephone that she can use in case of emergency.

The replacement cost is $4,000 and, as a student, Sheila does not have the funds to buy a new one.

Her classmates and instructors are appealing to the public for the return of the talking stick.

“We are all impressed by the challenges Sheila overcomes everyday,” said Francis. “Training at the college is very intense and challenging even without hearing and vision impairments. We admire Sheila’s courage and positive outlook.”

Anybody with any information on the device can call the Vernon RCMP at 545-7171, or return it to the Okanagan Valley College of Massage Therapy at 200-3400-30th Avenue.

Email | Print | Letter to Editor | Share on Facebook

Learning aid goes missing

Most read in your Region

Most read across BC