Woodards, Bionics form partnership
Woodards last week launched its partnership with the Bionic Ear Institute at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The event included an appearance from Bionic Ear Institute member, former ballet principal and author of the best seller and internationally acclaimed Mao’s Last Dancer, Li Cunxin.
The writer’s daughter, Sophie, was born deaf and since receiving a Cochlear implant learned music and Chinese.
Woodards chief executive John Piccolo said the union allows fundraising opportunities – proceeds to be tipped into research and awareness initiatives.
Coincidentally, John Piccolo’s wife, Sharon, was Sophie’s former teacher.
East Melbourne based Bionic Ear Institute formed more than 40 years ago.
It aims to give hearing impaired children and adults the opportunity to participate at full capacity among the hearing world.
The Australian bionic ear has since been implanted in more than 50,000 people throughout 120 countries since 1985.
