SEAN ANDERSON MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Information Sheet
Background
In May
2004, SpeechEasy established the Sean Anderson Memorial Scholarship Program
to honor Sean Anderson, a 10-year-old boy who passed away in February 2004.
Sean’s stutter began at the age of 7 and became progressively worse, until he
got his SpeechEasy device. According to his mother, getting the device
was a transforming experience – allowing him to communicate more freely and
to enjoy a much higher quality of life.
Inspired by the Anderson family’s generosity in donating Sean’s device after
his death, SpeechEasy has established this scholarship in an effort to provide
devices to financially disadvantaged children who stutter.
The program will provide one (1) recipient annually with a premiere “in-the-canal” SpeechEasy device, if appropriate, along with related follow-up therapy by a certified Speech Language Pathologist (SLP) (a total value of up to $6,000).
Eligibility
Each applicant must be a Florida resident between the age of eight (8) and fifteen
(15) years old, financially disadvantaged and pre-screened to show a favorable
response to using SpeechEasy (by a certified Speech Language Pathologist (SLP)
and SpeechEasy provider).
Selection
Criteria
Selection of the candidate will be based on severity of need both physiologically
and financially, as well as the degree to which the device can improve the candidate’s
quality of life.
Application
Process
Applicants
(and/or Parent/Guardian) should complete the application, prepare an essay (no
more than 500 words) on “How Stuttering has Affected My Life”, provide proof
of residency (copy of homestead exemption card or lease/rental agreement) and
proof of household income (copy(s) of W-2 form(s) and most recent federal income
tax return). Photos may be submitted but are not required.
Deadline
All applications and supportive materials must be received no earlier than FEBRUARY
1st and no later than MARCH 1st of each calendar year. Only one (1) application
per candidate will be considered.
ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION MUST BE SENT IN ONE PACKAGE!
Conditions
Parent or Guardian for recipient must agree to have their names, and/or photographs
published in conjunction with the award of the device, and with any promotion
of the Sean Anderson Memorial Scholarship Program.
Failure to follow these instructions will result in an incomplete form and will not be considered by the selection committee.
Mail applications
to:
SpeechEasy
/ Janus Development Group
ATTN: Sean Anderson Memorial Scholarship
112 Staton Road
Greenville, NC 27834