Since SOS began in 1996 we have received some unbelieveable requests for help. And our response has always been "Let's see what we can do". We never turn down a request for help and even if we are unable to directly help someone, we will find someone who can. SOS believes in the heart of every American is the desire to help another in need. That's not only the American thing to do but also a Human thing to do...so here's our next story.

6 months ago in June SOS was asked to be a speaker at a local Lions Club in San Marcos to talk about their agency. After we spoke there one of the newest Lions, Javier, approached us and asked if we could help a deaf person living in Mexico, across the border. Here's his request.

Javier is hearing and has a family friend living in TJ. This friend had an unusual visitor to their home about 8 months ago, a young deaf male, age 26, name was Angel. Angel knocked on Javier's friend's door seeking work. He lived in southern Mexico and had a wife and children. It was discovered upon meeting Angel that he was deaf. So the family decided to give him light work, enough to be able to at least feed his family.

As the relationship progressed Angel told the family one of his dreams was to be able to hear sound. He was not profoundly deaf, and his dream was to be able to have hearing aids to help him hear sound. So the family friend took him to a local audiologist and find out the cost for hearing aids. Approx $1200 each in TJ. That was the end of that search, neither family nor Angel could afford that.

So Javier heard SOS story and decided to see what he could do to find a resource their new deaf friend Angel in TJ. SOS of course responded and told Javier we will get back with him and see what we could do. SOS partners with a hearing aid foundation in Minnesota called Starkeys. If a deaf person qualifies they could possibly be approved to get hearing aids for free....

So SOS called Javier and had Javier connect the family in Mexico with SOS. It was discovered that Starkeys has an international department and can help deaf outside the US. SUCCESS !!!! Not only did Angel qualify, but Starkeys provided Angel with hearing aids worth $6000 ($3000 per ear), the best they had. Angel received his hearing aids and for the first time in his 26 year old life he could hear sound clearly. Even though SOS has never met Angel, we now have a friend in TJ who loves our agency. Thanks to the Lions Club for their invitation and Javiers love for people and SOS for making the connection. The great and awesome things that happen, simply by asking for help. Every dream can come true.....stay tuned for more Human interest stories.