Dear Roaring Fork Valley,
On behalf of Challenge Aspen and Aspen Public Radio, we would like to thank everyone who attended our free virtual event on March 3 featuring NPR “All Things Considered” host Mary Louise Kelly, who spoke about her life, work, and adapting to hearing loss as an audio journalist.
“You can do just about anything you want to do,” said Mary Louise Kelly during our discussion a powerful reminder that together, with understanding, empathy, and inclusion, each of us has the ability to redefine our limits.
It’s truly been an honor to partner together on two virtual events for our community. While our collective missions may be different, every day our two nonprofits work hard to enable voices across our valley to be heard, and to spark inspiration and conversation.
Chelsea Self / Post Independent
Sign language has become a bit of a competitive strategy on the court for the Glenwood Springs High School girls basketball team in recent years.
One of Lady Demons’ key players, senior co-captain Graci Dietrich, has severe hearing loss and relies on hand signs and lip-reading, rather than verbal communication, between her teammates and coaches.
Since her days attending and playing basketball at Glenwood Springs Middle School, Dietrich has also had her personal interpreter, Kyle Larson, in the classroom and on the sidelines with her making sure she understands those she interacts with on a daily basis.