My Compelling Reason Why
For almost 10 years I have been losing my hearing. Many of you reading this may find this surprising but there are many who know the challenges I have gone through. My family has supported me through thick and thin and so it is fitting that this run be a tribute to them.

My Hearing Loss
My hearing loss came on suddenly almost 10 years ago and has been steadily declining ever since. Approximately one year ago my hearing plummeted dramatically to a level where I knew I was going deaf. This was the beginning of a frightening and life changing journey. I began wearing hearing aids a couple of years ago which gave me some relief at first and helped me function. One year ago my hearing got so bad that I no longer received any benefit from an aid in my right ear.

After a hearing test on June 30th, 2010, we learned that my right ear suffered another dramatic loss and is no longer able to discern speech. My left ear now discerns about 60 percent of speech and is my only connection to the hearing world. The speed in which the loss has progressed in the past year shook me up and dropped me to my knees. It was the beginning of a life journey that stopped me in my tracks and caused me to rethink just about everything in my life. Everything that is with one exception, my love for my family.

My intention is to bring light where there has been darkness. Life dealt me a few lemons this past year and I intend to make lemonade! Over the next several months as I train for my 5th marathon at the tender age of 50, I will keep a blog and communicate my experiences. Hearing Loss, though not life threatening is life changing. A loss is a loss and we all can relate to that. It is my desire to share with the world my experiences, some valuable life lessons I have learned, and to give love, help and hope to everyone in need. Please visit my blog at http://blog.runningonlove.org to read my story and follow my journey.

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The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) is the nation’s leading organization representing people with hearing loss. According to the National Center for Health Statistics 36 million (17%) American adults have some degree of hearing loss making it a public health issue third in line after heart disease and arthritis.

HLAA provides assistance and resources for people with hearing loss and their families to learn how to adjust to living with hearing loss. HLAA is working to eradicate the stigma associated with hearing loss and raise public awareness about the need for prevention and the importance of regular hearing screenings throughout life.

The Hearing Loss Association of NJ has the following stated mission:
*To serve as an extension of the Hearing Loss Association of America organization in creating awareness of hearing loss issues within the state of New Jersey.
* To develop a statewide network to help with outreach, advocacy, legislative and equal access issues that affect people with hearing loss.
* To network cooperatively with other organizations within the state which are concerned with hearing loss.

Please help make this a successful charitable event and make a contribution below! Thank you for your support!