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This page is for those who attended Heuser Hearing & Language Academy or Louisville Deaf Oral School. We will keep you informed of upcoming alumni events, news and happenings. Check back often to see how you can get involved.
William’s Story
When I was born in 1991, hospitals were not yet required to do hearing screens for newborns so my parents didn’t discover I was deaf until I was about 18 months old. They were quick to find Louisville Deaf Oral School (now known as Heuser Hearing & Language Academy) and I was enrolled in early intervention services. It was during my time at LDOS when I received my first cochlear implant in 1995 when I was 4 years old. This procedure and my development at LDOS went hand in hand, with the speech and language pathology (thank you Cheryl Donaldson!) being crucial to my being prepared for kindergarten at a public school where I would be the only deaf student. I continued to receive audiology services after my time at LDOS (thank you Dr. Mary Burton and Dr. Katie Austin). During my kindergarten year at LDOS in 1996 and 1997, I went to LDOS in the mornings and then to my elementary school in the afternoons. For me, it was a smooth transition to a mainstream public school.
I have very fond memories of my time at LDOS, from forming great friendships with kids going through a similar life experience as me to the many fun and educational programs the teachers had prepared specifically for our needs. My favorite was the music programming, which my late grandmother helped with as a volunteer. My appreciation for music and hearing began at LDOS and for that, I’m forever grateful.
After LDOS, I attended JCPS schools (Dunn, Meyzeek, duPont Manual) and I then went onto Centre College where I studied History and Political Economics. I now live in Pewee Valley with my wife Kacie and our growing family. We have a two year old daughter, Hudson, and another baby girl on the way this May. I work at Farm Credit Mid-America in credit underwriting. LDOS was a special time for me and established a solid foundation for my life, it was the biggest blessing my parents could’ve asked for when they realized I was deaf. They truly had no idea what life would be like for and with me. As a parent, I want the best for my children. For my parents, LDOS was that for me.
My best,
William Frentz
Class of 1997