What is PHISA?
PHISA was formed
in Adelaide, South Australia, by a group of concerned parents of hearing
impaired children in 1977, who met to tackle a series of problems that
were affecting their children. Since that time our organisation has
grown from a handful of parents to a network that stretches all over the
state of South Australia, to other states of Australia and even overseas.
PHISA is an entirely voluntary organisation. We do not receive
any funding other than membership fees and donations.
Mission and Values
For over twenty years PHISA has been actively protecting the rights of all hearing impaired people. This is an ongoing process benefiting individuals now and in the future.
The importance of this process is highlighted by the following poem.
IT MATTERS by Anonymous
As I walked along
the seashore,
This young boy greeted
me.
He was tossing stranded
starfish
Back to the deep
blue sea.
I said, "Tell me
why you bother.
Why waste your time
this way?
There's a million
stranded starfish.
Does it matter,
anyway?"
And he said, "It
matters to this one.
It deserves a chance
to grow.
It matters to this
one.
I can't save them
all, I know.
But it matters to
this one
I'll return it to
the sea.
It matters to this
one
And it matters to
me."
I walked into the
classroom.
The teacher greeted
me.
She was helping
Johnny study.
He was struggling
I could see.
I said, "Tell me
why you bother.
Why waste your time
this way?
Johnny's only one
of millions,
Does it matter,
anyway?"
And she said, "It
matters to this one.
He deserves a chance
to grow.
It matters to this
one.
I can't save them
all, I know.
But it matters to
this one.
I'll help him be
what he can be.
It matters to this
one
And it matters to
me."
I walked through
the capitol.
Some parents greeted
me.
They were helping
legislators
Remember children
in all they do and see.
I said, "Tell me
why you bother.
Why waste your time
this way?
Your issue is one
in millions.
Does it matter anyway?"
And they said, "It
matters with this one.
Children deserve
a chance to grow.
It matters with
this one.
There are other
causes, we know.
But it matters with
this one.
We must help children
be all they can be.
Because it matters
to everyone
What our future
turns out to be.