President Clinton
to Speak in Bluegrass
He Will Address His Own Hearing Loss
at Lex. Hearing & Speech Center Event
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By John Lynch

It doesn’t happen often to UK basketball players, but Patrick Patterson, DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo will be overshadowed at a public function in the Bluegrass.

Former President Bill Clinton can do that to people.

The 42nd President of the United States will be the keynote speaker on Friday, Aug. 13 when the Lexington Hearing and Speech Center celebrates its 50th anniversary at the R.J. Corman Railroad Group Corporate Headquarters and Hangar in Jessamine County.

The fundraising event, sponsored by the Starkey Hearing Foundation, will kick off LHSC’s capital campaign and is expected to draw 500 guests, including political dignitaries, celebrities and local LHSC supporters.

President Clinton will speak about his own hearing loss. In 1997 during his second term in office, he was fitted with hearing aids after complaining of hearing loss.

“This President has done so much and he has such a busy schedule for him to celebrate our birthday, it’s amazing,” said Lori Shepherd, LHSC’s executive director.

The connection between President Clinton and the Hearing and Speech Center starts with board member Abby Dobson, whose sister was a LHSC client when she was a child.

Through networking in the state Democratic party, Dobson reached out to Clinton and he said yes.

“We are thrilled beyond belief to be the recipient of this incredible opportunity,” said King Offutt, chairman of the LHSC board.

“President Clinton’s support will aid us in our mission to grow our services and positively impact an even greater number of children and families in the next 50 years.”

LHSC offers a full range of services, including early identification of hearing loss, preschool and kindergarten educational programs and complete, on-site hearing services for the community.

Tickets to the event are available and cost $500. Tables of 10 are $4,500. Special tables where guests meet the President are available for $10,000 to $25,000.

Because the Starkey Hearing Found-ation is underwriting costs, all proceeds will benefit LHSC’s capital campaign.

Earlier that day at the school on Ashland Avenue, William and Tani Austin of the Starkey Hearing Foundation will give away two dozen high-end hearing aids to deserving children.

For information about the 50th anniversary celebration, call 859-269-0467.