ISD's Sound Futures is all about success

Several GHAEA staff had an opportunity to attend Iowa School for the Deaf's (ISD) Sound Futures luncheon on May 4. This annual fundraising gala provides scholarships to Iowa School for the Deaf college-bound students and the general ISD Foundation. The event, emceed by John Cool, asst. administrator, ISD, included presentations from the three scholarship beneficiaries. The family of Austin LeRette, a student in the 4PLUS transition program, spoke about their son's experience at ISD.  Austin's father, Scott, spoke about the challenges Austin faces, living in pain most every day from a brittle bone disease that led to Austin's hearing loss. He also spoke about his book, The Unbreakable Boy,  that is going to be made into a movie. But it was his mother, Teresa, whose message tugged at the hearts of audience members. "I just knew this was where my son was suppose to be," she said. Austin is working at HyVee in Red Oak and will be doing an internship in culinary arts through Iowa Western CC.  Iowa School for the Deaf will be part of Pottawattamie Gives on May 25.