BC Hands & Voices’ board of directors is a diverse group of parents and professionals. We are mothers and fathers; we are hearing, hard of hearing and deaf adults; we are specialists in infant development, education and language – all working together to provide parents in BC the support they need. We feel very proud and honoured to be part of such a wonderful organization. Now, time to meet the board:
Cathy Luther is the mother of 3 grown, deaf children. From the very beginning she wanted to be involved in nurturing her children`s communication/language development in whatever way worked for them. She currently works for, and has for the past 16 years, the BC Family Hearing Resource Centre as their Family Support Parent, supporting families (both local & outreach) with young deaf & hard of hearing children. She continues to support families across the province by being involved on the boards of 2 parent organizations, BC Hands & Voices and the CHHA-BC Parents` Branch.
Teresa Kazemir and her husband have three school-aged children – the eldest is hard of hearing, with bilateral microtia and atresia. Teresa is a Speech-Language Pathologist, and is passionate about providing support for families of young children with hearing loss. She sits on the board of BC Hands & Voices, is the Parent Coordinator for the Guide By Your Side program, and also sits on the National/International board of Hands & Voices.
Jennifer Towers and her husband have 2 children – an eight year old boy who is hearing and a six year old daughter who has bilateral mild to moderate hearing loss and wears hearing aids. Jennifer became involved with BC Hands and Voices after becoming a Parent Guide with the Guide By Your Side program. She enjoys working with and supporting families with children with hearing loss.
Jennifer Kipling has three children, a son (5), a daughter (2) and another son who was just born in December. Jenn and her children are hard of hearing. After her son was diagnosed through newborn screening she became involved with a parent advisory group for the BC Early Hearing Program in 2007. Jenn is a founding board member of BC Hands and Voices and our Treasurer.
Amy Ho’s first language is Chinese. Having raised a daughter born with profound hearing loss, she is familiar with the challenges facing ESL families with children who have a hearing loss. She has intimate knowledge of community resources and services that parents can use to help with their child’s development. A parent guide with the GBYS program and fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin, Amy is ready to share her knowledge and experience with parents facing similar challenges.
ANJA ROSENKE and her husband Stew live in Richmond with their 2 children – a 6-year-old who hears naturally and a 4-year old who is deaf. Hands & Voices was one of the first resources that Anja turned to for information and to get connected with other families in 2008 when her son was first diagnosed with hearing loss. She joined the board in September 2010 and thoroughly enjoys helping to provide other families with those same opportunities for education and socializing.
MONIQUE PREER and her husband have two children. Both of the children are hard of hearing, and Monique also has an unilateral hearing loss. She is excited to be a member of the board for the BC Chapter of Hands and Voices.
CHRIS MALLINSON lives with his wife Shelley and six year old son Scott in Burnaby BC. He works full time as a web developer, and enjoys being part of the technology industry. Spare time activities include a wide range of team sports, and many trips to the playground. Chris hopes to share his experience as a parent of a deaf child, as well as his technological skills set with the Hands and Voices Team.