Man Dealing with Child's Hearing Loss Named Father of the Year
Despite the adversities, Li went on to become one of the world's best male dancers, and later switched to a career in finance and currently manages one of the largest stockbroking firms in Australia.
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September 23, 2009
Raising a child with a disability is challenging, but Li Cunxin's story shows families affected by hearing loss may succeed and thrive in their communities.
Li was born into poverty in Mao's China, and later immigrated to Australia where his daughter Sophie, now 20, was born with profound hearing loss. However, despite the adversities, Li went on to become one of the world's best male dancers, and later switched to a career in finance and currently manages one of the largest stockbroking firms in Australia, according to SidneyCentral.com.
His inspiring story earned him this year's Shepherd Centre Australian Father of the Year award.
"Li is a fantastic role model for fathers and parents," says Shepherd Centre CEO Anthea Green, quoted by the news source.
"His story and the hard work that he has put in for his children is nothing short of extraordinary. He is certainly an inspiration to the fathers who, like Li, strive to help their deaf or hearing impaired children thrive in the general community," she adds.
The U.S. is currently celebrating Deaf Awareness Week, which seeks to educate society about the condition that affects approximately 17 percent of American adults, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The source also says that 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the U.S. are born deaf or hard-of-hearing.
Medical progress has significantly improved the outcomes and quality of life of those affected by hearing loss. Adults have a range of hearing aids to choose from, and parents of children born with the condition may inquire about the possibility of receiving a cochlear implant.
The National Association of the Deaf is a place to donate, obtain more information and access valuable resources that may help those affected live fulfilling lives.
Raising a child with a disability is challenging, but Li Cunxin's story shows families affected by hearing loss may succeed and thrive in their communities.
Li was born into poverty in Mao's China, and later immigrated to Australia where his daughter Sophie, now 20, was born with profound hearing loss. However, despite the adversities, Li went on to become one of the world's best male dancers, and later switched to a career in finance and currently manages one of the largest stockbroking firms in Australia, according to SidneyCentral.com.
His inspiring story earned him this year's Shepherd Centre Australian Father of the Year award.
"Li is a fantastic role model for fathers and parents," says Shepherd Centre CEO Anthea Green, quoted by the news source.
"His story and the hard work that he has put in for his children is nothing short of extraordinary. He is certainly an inspiration to the fathers who, like Li, strive to help their deaf or hearing impaired children thrive in the general community," she adds.
The U.S. is currently celebrating Deaf Awareness Week, which seeks to educate society about the condition that affects approximately 17 percent of American adults, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. The source also says that 2 to 3 out of every 1,000 children in the U.S. are born deaf or hard-of-hearing.
Medical progress has significantly improved the outcomes and quality of life of those affected by hearing loss. Adults have a range of hearing aids to choose from, and parents of children born with the condition may inquire about the possibility of receiving a cochlear implant.
The National Association of the Deaf is a place to donate, obtain more information and access valuable resources that may help those affected live fulfilling lives.
