Archives for December 2014

Life at age twelve is full of changes; leaving childhood behind and becoming a teenager is a real turning point in a young girl’s life. Stephanie Fortman encountered more challenges at that age than anyone would expect. She recounts, “I lost my hearing from meningitis. It was a scary time in my life as I went from being normal and hearing to profoundly deaf in a matter of days. Shortly after I lost my hearing, I received a cochlear implant. The implant is truly a little miracle, and with it I hear quite well. However I do have trouble with environmental sounds, and often can’t tell what a sound is or where it’s coming …

Lu Ommen of Harmony, Minn, has always been a man in motion. And, thanks to Gilbert, he doesn’t have to stop. Lu is active and involved in so many things, it’s hard to imagine any condition could slow him down. He is the Executive Director of Maple Leaf Services, a non-profit organization serving people with developmental disabilities in Fillmore County, Minnesota. He’s involved at his church and sings in the choir. He’s been a member of the Harmony Lions Club for over 35 years and stays physically active, biking, golfing and making pottery. So what could stop him? Lu was diagnosed …