My wife Amy and I are parents to three wonderful sons, two of whom were born deaf. Our journey began with a pivotal moment—their diagnosis, made possible by the Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program. This incredible initiative, launched in 2000, is instrumental in identifying hearing loss in newborns, offering them a chance for early intervention and a brighter future. 

Our boys, Jack and Luke, have thrived because of the support and resources provided by the EHDI program. Without its timely intervention, they wouldn't be the remarkable individuals they are today. We are eternally grateful for the head start it gave our family, allowing us to pursue the necessary interventions that have shaped their lives.

The EHDI program is not just a lifeline for our family but for countless others across the nation. It provides vital early screening, diagnosis, and intervention services for newborns and young children diagnosed as deaf. However, this crucial program is now at risk due to proposed funding cuts.
 This is a page from the American Academy of Audiology, who also obviously help diagnose deafness. https://www.audiology.org/ehdi-program-at-risk/ 
In my recent role as a chapter champion for EHDI in Illinois, I am deeply troubled by this potential loss. The future of our children and many like them is tied to the continued support of federal funding for this program. This isn't just a personal plea; it's a call for the rights of every child born with hearing impairment to have access to the life-changing benefits of early detection and intervention.

The Early Hearing Detection and Intervention program has a track record of success. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), early identification and intervention significantly improve the chances for developing communication skills comparable to hearing peers. Eliminating or diminishing this program would deny future generations these essential benefits.

We have already reached out to congressman Robert Aderholt from Alabama, who heads the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, and that subcommittee assumed responsibility for this program. But your voice is crucial too. By signing this petition, you're lending your support to ensure the continued existence and funding of the EHDI program. Here are the web sites of Mr. Guthrie and Mr. Pallone https://guthrie.house.gov https://pallone.house.gov  Mr. Aderholt is https://aderholt.house.gov

Let's come together to safeguard a future where all children, regardless of their hearing abilities, have an equal opportunity to succeed. Please sign this petition to save the EHDI program and protect the future of our children and generations to come.