Philadelphia (KYW Newsradio) — A national pioneer for deaf children with deep roots in Philadelphia died last week, and the foundation that bears her name plans to carry on her legacy.
Throughout her life, Mildred Oberkotter knew no limits, even when the world showed them to her.
In 1937, at the age of two, after contracting a severe case of influenza, she was diagnosed as severely deaf. At the time, she said, there were few resources for deaf children, but her parents had other plans.
“Her parents, Paul and Louise, were very insistent at the time that she learn to speak and lip read, because they believed that if she could speak and lip read, she would fit into their community. '' said Dr. Teresa Caraway, CEO of Hearing First, the education arm of the Philadelphia-based Oberkotter Foundation.
Mildred's parents founded the foundation in 1985 after leading successful careers in sales, computer programming, and social work. Its goal is to help deaf children reach the same heights as Mildred.
Caraway said he consulted Mildred before creating the piece, and she immediately told him that there was a need for support programs and services to help deaf children learn to listen and speak. Ta. ”
Since then, it has provided more than $500 million to support projects toward that mission, transforming outcomes for children with hearing loss across the country.
Photo courtesy of Oberkotter Foundation
“Mildy is truly the heart and soul of our work,” says Carraway.
“She was a lifelong learner. She really valued science and innovation and was always striving to learn more.”
The foundation uses its passion for learning to help deaf and hard-of-hearing children across the country.
“We're really looking forward to the future and seeing how we can leverage and think about innovation and technology to truly overcome family barriers,” Caraway said.
“Her message to families is to have the courage to dream and that whatever you wanted for your baby before he was born, those same dreams are still possible and can come true today. .”
Mildred Oberkotter passed away last Thursday at the age of 88.