Meet The Board

Association of Late-Deafened Adults-Garden State

2009 ALDA-GS Board:

President: Lynn Osborne

   Lynn's background is in health care.  She is a licensed practical nurse and Certified Living Assistant Administrator. That changed in September 2005,when she awoke with hearing loss in her left ear. She was diagnosed with an acute, complex case of Meniere's Diesease.  She was assured by the professionals that the loss would not happen in the right ear, but it did. She again awoke with Sudden Hearing Loss in February 2007. It took her some time to find the support and understanding she needed at ALDA-GS, and wants to make sure that others in her position find us more easily.  Lynn is studying to earn her Bachelor's degree in psychology, and is applying to Gallaudet for admission to its Peer Mentoring Program. Her goal is to become a grief counselor.  Lynn has two grown children, Kevin, 20, and Jordan, 18. She and Kevin Sr. have been married for twenty-two years.

Vice-President: Tony Yuppa (bio under construction)

 Past President: Sheila Shuford

   Sheila has been involved with ALDA-GS since its inception.  Her progressive hearing loss left her profoundly deaf in her thirties. She founded and directed The Deaf Contact Center, (a telephone relay service before the state-mandated relay came into being.)  She has long been an active advocate for the deaf community on both the state and county levels. She served on The Governor's Task Force for Disabled Persons, the NJ Committee on Alcoholism and the Hearing Impaired, the NJ State Independent Living Council, and the NJ Protection and Advocacy. In Morris County she serves or has served with the Parks Commission, Morris County Advisory Committee on Disabilities, Youth Services, Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 504 Task Force.  She is a part-time chaplain for deaf patients at Greystone Psychiatric Hospital.  In June, 2006, she was ordained as a Deacon in the Episcopal Church. 

Member-at-Large Deborah Erickson

   Deborah is relatively new to ALDA-GS. She has a progressive hearing loss which began 15 years ago. She has been active raising 3 children, later returned to school and graduated from New York University with a Masters in Social Work in 2005. She currently works with children in a school for Classified Students.

Treasurer: Diana Fanuel

Diana Pease Fanuel, CODA, (Children of Deaf Adults) began losing  her hearing at age 9. She attended Uppsala and Drake Colleges. She has recently retired after thirty-five years with the Star Ledger. Diana has three adult children. She has served as our Scholarship Chair for the past five years. Active in CODA, ALDA and SWC (Say What Club)

Secretary: Doreen Doherty:  (bio under construction)

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Last modified: 06/19/2009