Say it LOUD, Say it Proud
As many will know, our vibrant bundle of energy Albion was diagnosed with hearing loss at only days old. What came as a huge shock, given our absence of family history was soon counterbalanced by the overwhelming access to support, medical treatment and early intervention received from some of the most inspiring people we’ve ever met.
Today we are blessed with an outgoing, confident four-year old whose vocabulary astounds us every day. His confidence to regale stories and deliver punchlines with hurmour melts our hearts. His thirst for knowledge is insatiable. He’s kind, inclusive and endlessly entertaining.
He was one of the youngest babies to be fitted with bilateral hearing aids and although this technology is invaluable to us, his success is due to so much more. It’s about early diagnosis, early intervention (when organisations like The Shepherd Centre educate us as parents as well as provide therapies for our kids), it’s about Michelle (our amazing speech therapist), the NDIS programme, Hearing Australia’s ongoing help with hearing tests and technology and the Department of Education who support us in classrooms.
But this isn’t the case for everyone. Many children don't have access to the right diagnosis, early intervention and parents may lack that critical education to empower them to support these kids.
This year Team Barker want to raise awareness for the amazing children that overcome hearing loss each day, raise awareness for their resilience and awareness and support for organisations like the Shepherd Centre to drive equality of support to every child that needs it.
With kids as loud as ours and a Husband who chooses to wear outlandish shirts regardless of the occasion, this feels like a good fit for us (pun intended) :-)
Please join us in wearing your loudest shirt on Friday 17 October in support of Loud Shirt Day for kids with hearing loss and/ or share a few pennies for this fab cause
My Updates
Wow - Thank you!
Friday 17th Oct Thank you to everyone who has donated, worn their shirts and given us the opportunity to share our story.
Let's get LOUD
Monday 29th SepLet’s get LOUD to empower kids with hearing loss to connect, communicate and thrive in hearing world!
Hearing loss is the most common condition diagnosed at birth in Australia and 1 in 300 children have permanent hearing loss by 5 years old. Half of these children receive no specialist support and are in danger of being left behind.
Get LOUD with me or donate online to help raise funds to provide life-changing support for children with hearing loss and their families.
Together, we can make sure that these kids get the best possible to start in life!
ShareThank you to my Sponsors
$500
Oasis Boat Crew
$263.75
Gav Bolton
$263.75
Tony Hamilton
$126.62
Jordan Mellor
$126.62
Michael Tunna
$120
Tim And Butch Family
What a great initiative and one we are glad to be a part of.
$106.12
Imogen, Ruby, Vicky & Nick
Really appreciated you all sharing your story and for making it such a big event at Harbourview. Such a great cause.
$103.72
Caroline Smith
That message melted my heart and to hear all the support you've had and how much it could help others. What a great cause and great way to raise awareness. I'll be there during with you xx
$64.67
Emma Barker
Wahoo!
$64.67
Mcflair
Well done Albi and Team x
$64.67
John Morris
Nice work mate!!
$64.67
Grandad
Well done Albion. We’re proud of you every day. Love you all the world xxx
$64.67
Richard Lambert
Great cause mate. Sending our love to you and your beautiful family
$64.67
Ash Renshaw
$54.12
The Glasbys
$54.12
Jez
All the best with the fund raising for a great cause.
$54.12
Sophie White
You are incredible albion!! We love you so much! The Whites xxx
$54.12
Anne-marie
Wonderful cause and charity 🤗
$54.12
Muchmore Family
Muchmore love to you all xxx
$54.12
Nicola Beverley
Well done guys xx
$54.12
Jake Wieman
Love you guys.
$54.12
Josh And Milli Wolfe
$54.12
Claire Jones
A great cause, loud shirt at the ready!
$54.12
Emma Buckley
$54.12
Nat Hemingway
A wonderful initiative for a great cause!
$54.12
Matthew Davoren
$54.12
The Dodds
Go team Barker and Albi! xx
$54.12
Kristen
Nice work legends.
$50
The Barkers
Great cause, have been really supportive of Albion.
$50
Louise Smith
Such a good cause xxx can't wait to see the shirts! 😆
$50
Sammy & Lachie S
$50
Austin Huntsdale
$50
Lucy Pendray
The best team! Team barker! Love you all!
$43.60
Natalie Morrish
Go on Albie! Xxx
$43.60
Auntie Shelly And Uncle Nick
Well done Albi. You are amazing. Lots of Love Auntie Shelly and Uncle Nick xxx
$42.64
The Rocketts
$33.15
Z,a Amd Ot
Rock on 🤘
$33.15
Maggie Clarke
❤️
$22.58
Jono
Loud shirts all the way!
$22.58
Dominic Hall
$22.58
Lé Gǐræffę
Gettum stingaz x
$22.58
Jonny Duckett
$22.58
Emily Ritchie
Go Albi!!
$22.58
Olivia And Annabelle Hill
Good luck with the fundraising!!
$22.58
Majd Qutob
$22.58
Harvey Corner
Great cause, loved the shirt!
$22.58
John Whittaker
$22.58
Nanny
Well done Albi, lots of Love Nanny
$22.58
Sarah Hadnam
$22.58
Nathan Challinor
$22.58
Gaby Mckechmie
$20
Keith Renshaw
Well Done Albi 👏👏
$20
The Fagan’s
Go Albi, you’re amazing! Lots of love, Uncle Andy, Auntie Claire, Isla, Indie & Ella xxxx
$20
Christopher Macleod
❤️
$11.65
Rock and Roll star