Owen's Story | Telethon Speech & Hearing

Owen’s Story

“I can now hear cars driving down the street. I can also hear dogs and cats in the neighbourhood, people talking from room to room and so much more.”

To celebrate our 50th year anniversary, Telethon Speech & Hearing (TSH) will be showcasing 50 stories of people who have been a part of our organisation’s history since 1967.

Today’s highlighted story is from Owen Johns, a current student of TSH who spoke at Parliment House in Canberra earlier this year.

 

My name is Owen Johns an I am 11 years old.  I am in year 6 at Newman College.

When my parents found out I was hearing impaired as a baby, I started speech therapy at Telethon Speech & Hearing.  They still support me at school today through the Outpost program which I’ve been a part of since 2010.

I received my cochlear implant at Princess Margaret Hospital, Perth in December 2014 and it was switched on just 2 days before Christmas day.  After the operation, I felt a bit dizzy and sick and had to wear a bandage on my head to protect the wound.  The doctors and nurses really looked after me though.

When they switched the cochlear on, everything sounded a bit robotic.  But as I wore it more and more the sound changed back to normal.

Since receiving my cochlear implants, my family think my listening skills have improved and my voice is a lot clearer. I think I am better at listening too and have improved at school too.

I can now hear cars driving down the street. I can also hear dogs and cats in the neighbourhood, people talking from room to room and so much more.

After participating in the Telethon Speech & Hearing 2016 Power of Speech event, I was selected to represent Western Australia in the national Power of Speech at Parliament House in Canberra.

When I found out I was going to Canberra to speak in front of lots of people I was nervous.  I was going to talk about my aspirations for the future.  Then I got excited because I was going to get to tell everyone how I want to be a famous artist or cartoonist.  I especially love drawing and am always working on improving my drawings.

I also love playing with my friends, going to the movies and video games of course. One day I want to go to Hawaii.  I might like to have a family one day but I’d like to live with some of my friends first.

My family also came to Canberra to hear me and the other children speak at Parliament House.  They watched me shake the Prime Minister’s hand and they were very proud of me.  I think my proudest achievement is speaking in front of lots of people at Parliament House and shaking the Prime Minister’s hand and saying “G’day Mr Turnbull”.

I feel so lucky that I was able to go to Canberra.  My family and I did lots of fun things like visit the botanical gardens, explore Old Parliament House and the amazing War Memorial which I will never forget.

 

Watch Owen’s delightful speech below!

 

 

Video and photos courtesy of Serious Levity and 1106 Imagery.

About Owen

Owen (11) is a current student of TSH’s School Support (Outpost) program and 1 of 12 deaf children from Australia and New Zealand invited to participate in the Power of Speech event.

Diagnosed with progressive hearing loss at age one, Owen is living proof that hearing loss is no barrier to achieving remarkable success in life. After receiving cochlear implants, early intervention therapy, and school support from Telethon Speech & Hearing, Owen is now a charming and energetic young talent who currently attends Newman College as part of our Outpost program.

 

About the Power of Speech Awards

The Power of Speech Awards is an annual public speaking event traditionally held at Australian Parliament House in Canberra each year. The event showcases the exceptional language skills of children who are enrolled in First Voice member centre’s early intervention programs across Australia and New Zealand.

This year’s event – which was attended by the Prime Minister the Hon Malcolm Turnball MP – was held at in the Parliament House Theatre on 21 March 2017.

Participating in one of two age categories (6-8 years or 9-12 years), all children deliver a three-minute prepared speech on a topic of their choice to an audience of parliamentarians, distinguished guests, families and friends.

Owen was 1 of 12 deaf children from Australia and New Zealand invited to participate in the Power of Speech event.

Fellow TSH student, Valarie Kwik (9) from St Pius X Catholic Primary School was also invited to speak at Parliament House and showcase her incredible public speaking skills.

 

 
Telethon Speech & Hearing is committed to upholding the rights and safety of all children and young people. This includes being a child safe organisation where children, young people, families, and community members can feel that their culture, abilities and identities are respected. Telethon Speech & Hearing acknowledges the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Custodians of the land on which we work, live and build stronger communities for children and families to thrive. We recognise their continued custodianship and connection to land, waters and community and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We extend this respect to all First Nations people present today and welcome all Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal families to our centre and school.

Privacy Policy  |  Disclaimer  |  Child Safety at TSH