BC Hands & Voices is a diverse board of directors of parents and professionals from all over the province of BC. 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:
AMY HO
Is a mother of a 23 year old hearing son and a 19 year old daughter with a profound hearing loss (who has been using a cochlear implant since the age of 4). Amy speaks both English and Chinese which will be an asset in her new role as parent guide for our Guide By Your Side program.
TERESA KAZEMIR
Teresa and her husband have three children, ages 6, 11, and 13, and the eldest is hard of hearing. Teresa was interested in sign language and became a Speech-Language Pathologist before her children were born. Not only is she on the board of BC Hands & Voices, but she is also our first Program Coordinator for the new Guide By Your Side program in B.C.
JENN KIPLING
Has a son who is 1½ years old. Both Jenn and her son 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 and is now on the board of our Hands and Voices Chapter in BC.
KRISTEN PRANZL
An employee of the Provincial Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Kristen works with families all over BC who have deaf/hard of hearing children providing support in the home and the community. Kristen herself is deaf and graduated with a double major in English and Communication Studies at York University in Ontario. Kristen also has a Deaf sister that is a successful graphic designer.
MONIQUE PREER
Monique 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 new BC Chapter of Hands and Voices.
MARY STEWART
Mary has been in the field of Early Childhood Development for over 20 years and currently is the Regional Advisor for the North Region of the Infant Development Program. She is also a parent of a not-so-little-anymore 24 year old son!
DANA BRYNELSEN
Dana is the Provincial Advisor for the Infant Development Program of BC (I have worked in this capacity for over thirty years). I am the adoptive parent of a wonderful daughter, aged 20, who has ‘learning differences’. I have lived with a significant hearing loss since birth and know first-hand some of the challenges and opportunities that disability brings to family life.
CHRIS MALLINSON
Chris lives with his wife Shelley and five 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.
CATHY CHOW
Cathy Chow has raised three successful deaf children. She works full time in early intervention, at the BC Family Hearing Resource Centre, supporting and networking families of young, D/deaf and hard of hearing children.