Our President, Lynda Lees, welcomed forty-five members and six guests to the Garden Rooms at Tennants for our meeting on October 15th. We were delighted to be joined by Martin Peagam and his hearing dog, Inca.
Members were reminded that website registration for lunch, together with online payment where applicable, is required to secure a lunch place.
After lunch, Martin introduced Inca, although many members had already met him as he had thoroughly explored the room and made friends with several of those present!
Martin gave a thoroughly entertaining talk about his life with profound deafness, describing the isolation, missing out on fun and the vulnerability he often feels. He explained how having Inca by his side had transformed his life.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People is a charity that breeds, trains and matches dogs to their deaf partner. These remarkable dogs alert their owners to important sounds, including alarms, doorbells, timers and babies crying, helping to keep them safe. Just as importantly, they provide companionship, encourage conversations and create opportunities to meet new people.
Martin spoke with great humour about his experiences. Although he explained that jokes can be difficult for deaf people to follow, there were many scattered throughout his presentation. Inca, who had clearly heard them all before, occasionally wandered round the room, happily accepting pats and providing a delightful distraction for his audience.
Martin explained how Inca had enriched his life, giving him greater confidence and helping him meet many new people, including Inca’s growing number of fans who follow him on his Facebook page! As Martin declared, “That’s Inca- he’s an Influencer!” And so, a new chapter in their lives begin.
Catch up with Inca on his Facebook page, Inca – Hearing Dog and Influencer.
We look forward to welcoming members and new guests to our next meeting on November 19th, when Michael Sayers will share insights from his life as an Art Historian and Dealer.
New members and guests are always very welcome. For further information, please visit our website at www.leyburnlunchclub.co.uk.
