Kerry was not born with a hearing impairment but unfortunately started to rapidly lose hearing after her very rare cancer diagnosis in 2019. Prior to this, Kerry was a choreographer, director, dancer, actor, teacher and former ice skater. Theatre was a massive aspect of her life, which she enjoyed with her wonderful husband Greg, who together they have two beautiful adult children and two fantastic teenage grandkids.
Around 2021 is when Kerry’s hearing was almost entirely gone. This is when she received a bilateral cochlear implant. But this unfortunately was not a fix, as sound became an unnatural experience for her, taking away her ability to attend outings that she loved.
Kerry didn’t just lose her hearing, but she lost her world and her confidence. As she struggled with her own internal battles, she unfortunately had to battle the world around her.
“I had experienced some extremely rude people who accused me of being stupid, deaf, even drunk, as I had not heard them addressing me. I was knocked over by a cyclist on a shared
walking/cycling path as I could not hear their bike bell and now have limited balance due to hearing loss.”
This is when Greg made the decision to contact Australian Lions Hearing Dogs. Greg had arranged for the two of them to come out and see a Hearing Assistance Dog in action. Impressed with what they saw, they signed up to the program.
In short time they were blessed with Harley, “Harley has been a life changer for me. He alerts me to so many sounds such as doorbells, door knocks, smoke detectors, alarm clock, oven timer, and is acquiring new sounds to identify as we work together. Recently we have added the microwave, Thermomix and bicycle bells!
In public, when Harley is in his uniform, I have found that people are kinder, smile when they see him and stop to ask me questions about how he helps me in my daily life. It also gives me a chance to talk about ALHD and the wonderful work the organisation is doing for people across Australia. I end my spiel with “buy the Lions Xmas cakes and puddings because Harley is ‘made’ of glacé fruit and spices!“
Their bond has become unbreakable, with Harley helping change Kerry’s whole lifestyle and outlook on life. “Harley is my ‘woolly ears’, my furry, four-footed friend. He knows if I’m down and he lifts me up.
He has given me the confidence to enter back into the public realm, to slowly make my world a bit bigger every day and accept that my life is just different, not diminished. He’s a local celebrity. Everyone knows Harley at the local shops. I am now proudly known as Harley’s mum!”
It’s clear as well that Harley cares deeply about his mum, wanting to help with every possible chance. “He is so cheeky! I love that about him. For example, if I do not get up straight away after he wakes me in the morning, he will wait about ten minutes and wake me again. If I’m still not out of bed, he becomes more insistent. He has jumped up on top of me on the bed and “washed” my face for me. He has gently grabbed my hand and tried to pull me out of bed as well! Harley is a unique ‘snooze button.’ How clever…how cheeky!’
Kerry loves to sit in the garden with Harley, watching him explore the world with his cheeky and curious
behaviour. Not only has Kerry provided a loving and supportive environment for Harley, but he has also changed every aspect of her life for the better, helping her to see this bright side through her impairment.
