1. PEER MENTORING For Hard of Hearing Teens and Young Adults: A Proactive Approach By James Ferguson

2. Peer Mentoring - what is it?  Peer mentoring usually brings to mind images of people of similar age supporting each other.  It is usually about working together to help each other achieve goals, provide social support, and have a group of people to turn to for help and information  But………

3. This is Peer Mentoring for Hard of Hearing Young People!  Hard of hearing young people need peer mentoring in ways that work for them.  They need support in the form of insight and experience from other people.  Peer mentoring is effective when mentors and protégés relate to each other on a common ground.

4. Who are Mentors for Hard of Hearing Young People?  Mentors are hard of hearing adults who have had experience in life dealing with many issues.  They are successful in reaching their goals and dreams.  The mentors are positive role models for younger hard of hearing people.

5. Why Mentor Hard of Hearing Young People?  Many hard of hearing people have had gone through life struggling to find success in life, be it in education, employment, or their social and personal lives.  Some people feel that there is no future for them or that they will never rise to the ‘level’ of hearing people.  Mentors usually see in the protégés their younger selves from years ago and can relate to the protégés’ situations.  There is a great, unanswered need for hard of hearing adults to become positive role models for younger people.  Mentors can provide a stabilizing influence as well as a source of safety and comfort to protégés.

6. What can Mentors and Protégés do?  Mentors can work with protégés to identify goals and set out a target plan to reach them.  They can do networking with connected people and seize opportunities of benefit to the protégés.  A mentor can encourage protégés to develop a realistic and positive outlook on life.  Mentors can help protégés learn to become leaders in their communities.  A mentor can demonstrate that successes and trials in life shape character and guide people on their life paths.

7. The Role of Peer Mentoring in Hard of Hearing Organizations  Peer mentoring is needed in hard of hearing organizations between the mentors and the young people.  The mentors could work with young people in their areas to provide support based on respect and advocacy.  The mentors could help the protégés develop positive character, outlook, and goals to become successful in life.  Peer mentoring would strengthen those organizations in that young people would graduate into senior leadership roles and become mentors to the next generation of young people.  It would provide a stable foundation needed for hard of hearing organizations’ long-term viability.

8. There are Positive Role Models for Young People!  Some mentors do not have to be older adults – they can be young adults who have went through challenges in life and became successful afterwards.  Mentors can provide insight and advice based on mutual respect and understanding of what it is like to be young and hard of hearing at the same time.  It can be initiated through networking with CHHA members or associates and seeking out similar interests or goals.  Mentors challenge the notion by most hearing people that hard of hearing people cannot succeed in life or measure up to their ‘level’. They are living proof of that dismantling that stereotype.

9. Personal Examples of Peer Mentoring  CHHA-Regina and District: Gloria Knous, president of CHHA-Regina and District, Saskatchewan, gave me valuable insight and advice on advocacy for hard of hearing people, and how to stand up for myself while developing leadership skills. Gloria encouraged me to set goals and be accountable for them, and learn to push through in the face of adversity.  Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services: Glenda Little, president of Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (SDHHS), worked with me on goals and ideas involving hard of hearing people in Saskatchewan. Glenda encouraged me to become more assertive and visible in representing SDHHS and CHHA. She also encouraged me to look at all possibilities and be proactive in getting results.

10. The Panel of Positive Role Models  For the panel, I have the pleasure of introducing four hard of hearing people who are positive role models for young people.  They will present their perspectives on life as hard of hearing people and why they are role models successful in their lives.  They are Arthur Rendall, Glenda Little, Karina Chupina, and Ken Cruise.

11. Arthur Rendall  Arthur Rendall is from Hamilton, Ontario. He is late deafened and received a cochlear implant.  Arthur is quite involved with raising awareness and advocacy for CHHA-Hamilton.  Arthur is working at encouraging hard of hearing young people in the Hamilton area to get together and have a network.  He has a zest for life and a can-do attitude, traits which are valued in CHHA.

12. Glenda Little  Glenda Little is from Regina, Saskatchewan, and she became deafened in her twenties. As a result, she became involved with Saskatchewan Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (SDHHS) and CHHA-Regina and District.  Glenda is quite involved with SDHHS and is the current president of the organization. In the community she sat on many committees as the hard of hearing representative and has tireless energy in her work.  Glenda works for the Regina Qu’Appelle Health District as its Quality Improvement Consultant and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science from the University of Regina, and also a Certificate in Public Relations from the university.  Her dedication and assertiveness has won her respect and admiration, and is matched by few people.

13. Karina Chupina  Karina Chupina was from St. Petersburg, Russia, and currently resides in Berlin, Germany. She is hard of hearing since birth and grew up in a post-Communist society and faced unique challenges as a hard of hearing young person.  Karina is involved with the International Federation of Hard of Hearing Young People (IFHOHYP) in many functions in Europe, and is the president of IFHOHYP since 2004.  Karina has a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in International Journalism from St. Petersburg State University. Karina also has an Executive M.A. in International and European Relations, Management from Amsterdam University in Amsterdam, the Netherlands; and she also has a M.A. in Political Science and Sociology from European University in St. Petersburg.  Karina works as a professional international trainer and consultant for the Council of Europe, Directorate of Youth and Sports. Karina is fluent in Russian and English  Her passion and determination to championing the cause of hard of hearing young people has moved her into many circles and is sought after by many people for her experience and insight.

14. Ken Cruise  Ken Cruise is from Chilliwack, British Columbia. He is hard of hearing since birth and is involved in advocacy for CHHA- Chilliwack in that he is the Past President of that branch – President for 2005 – 2007.  Ken was involved with the board of the Western Institute of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and was a past board member of the Elks Family Hearing Resources Society from 1997-2001. He was chair of the board of Hearing Aid Dealers and Consultants for B.C. from 1998-2002.  Ken obtained his Bachelor of Arts from Brock University (1972); a Bachelor of Social Work from University of British Columbia (1987); and a Master of Social Work from Dalhousie University (1990).  Ken is a social worker and he provides counselling based on compassion and respect for people.  He has insight on how goals and dreams can be realistically achieved and put to practice as well as mentoring advice.

15. Final Thoughts  Peer mentoring can benefit hard of hearing young people and make a positive impact on their lives..  Seek out hard of hearing adults who are successful in life and active in hard of hearing activities.  Initiate the first step and begin your journey of self- growth and personal enrichment.  Don’t be afraid to learn new things and grow through life – DO it!