Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Art lovers (from left), philanthropist, Noa Jensch; general manager of the Atrium, Karen Neita; and attorney-at-law, Jeannie Robinson Foster, hob-nob at the art show and fundraiser. - Photos by Janet Silvera

WESTERN BUREAU:

Montego Bay's Dr. Barbara Salmon-Grandison, for the fourth time in 12 months, put on an art exhibition geared at raising funds for Caribbean Hearing Health Foun-dation (CHHF).

CHHF is a non-profit organisation formed in 2005 for promoting and facilitating the early detection and rehabilitation of children with hearing impairment in the Caribbean. It was borne out of a commitment of otolaryngologists in the Caribbean and Johns Hopkins University, in the United States.

Two weeks ago, the doctor brought together artists such as Errol Allen, Errol Lewis, Fitzroy Symister, Oral Fernandez, Cecil Cooper, Dave Archer, Alfonso Blake and Milton Fisher in one of the most entertaining displays of artistic skill at The Event Place, in Montego Bay.

Dr. Salmon-Grandison's fund- raising efforts aim to obtain funds to assist in the establishment of comprehensive hearing screening, public education programme, an equipped and staffed centre for hearing testing and rehabilitation as well as assisting suitable candidates to obtain hearing aids, cochlea implants and rehabilitation.

With this defined objective in mind, the ear, nose and throat specialist not only gave art lovers a chance to bring their home and office alive, but a feeling of satisfaction that doctors will be able to assist in early hearing rehabilitation and language develop-ment of young children.

"This collaboration has focused on increasing the awareness and facilitating the establishment of optimal models for intervention in deafness in children in the Caribbean, recognising that early detection of hearing loss is important for early rehabilitation and the chance to maximise development of spoken language," she told the gathering.

Variety of pieces

Artist Susan Clare (left) and Christine Brimo admire the work of artist Errol Allen, during the art exhibition and fundraiser for Caribbean Hearing Health Foundation, at The Event Place, Montego Bay, recently.

Extremely passionate about the project, she stood within range of an abstract piece by Dave Archer and the landscape and nudes by Fitzroy Symister speaking fervently of the language development that facilitates integration into mainstream schooling.

"Children benefiting from this early intervention can maximise their intellectual potential, thus maximising educational and vocational achievement and in the long-term their contribution to society," she said.

Since 2002, she said, the team has made strides in training for doctors in specialised ear surgery at the Kingston Public Hospital, University Hospital of the West Indies, and Johns Hopkins University.

Johns Hopkins has since sponsored seminar for teachers, physicians, other professionals, and parents, conducted by Professors Howard Francis and John Niparko. Support has also been provided by the Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education (CHASE) Fund.

Joan Lee and April Parchment, Carolyn Suzie Haughton, Karen Neita and Dr. Greig Thomas, Debbie Woung, Noel Whyte and Associates and Caribbean Producers Jamaica were among the people and companies that made the event possible.