Dr. Metcalf is honored to participate in annual medical mission trips to Guatemala. The organization that she is involved with is Healing The Children (HTC). This non-profit organization has helped over 146,000 children since 1979. There are 13 chapters that operate in 24 states. Alison and her colleagues throughout the Northwest are part of the Washington/Oregon chapter of HTC.
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Each year, a team of medical professionals including physicians, surgeons, audiologists, dentists, nurses and nurse practitioners travel to Guatemala to care for the area’s needy children. Our chapter has cultivated personal relationships with local church pastors, rotary members, audiologists and other medical providers and facilities, so that we may find and serve deserving families. |
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With regards to audiology services, we are forming and implementing some new and exciting programs. A team of northwest audiologists along with committed Guatemalan professionals and volunteers have come up with a long-term plan for serving children with hearing loss throughout the country. There are four areas in the country, based on geography, which we have established for Audiology services. In these areas, we have partnered with local volunteers and provided training and funds to care for the children’s hearing aids and hearing needs when the HTC volunteers are not there. This allows the parents of the children who receive hearing aids from us, to have access to routine hearing aid maintence and service. There is a local resource to answer questions and coordinate future appointments or services as needed for when we next come to the area. Currently, our Audiology team goes to Guatemala two to three times a year.
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Hearing aids, ear molds, accessories and supplies are given to children with hearing loss at no cost. We work closely with the Schools for the Deaf. Each year our team members pay all of their own travel expenses, so that every dollar we raise goes directly to the hearing aid and local labor costs of our service program. We rely upon the generous donations of hearing aid manufacturers, ear mold and accessories labs, service clubs and private donors.
If you would like to donate to one of our trips, please feel free to ask Dr. Metcalf any questions you may have. I welcome you to visit the HTC site at http://www.healingthechildren.org. The local office in Everett, Washington is also able to answer any questions you may have. They are at 2625 Colby Ave. #3, PMB 178, Everett, WA 98201. 1-800-347-3340.
The work we do for these children is extremely important. The children and their parents are incredibly grateful for the help they receive. To give the gift of hearing is the most rewarding experience you will ever have.
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