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 2004
World Ability Awards Gala
On July 30,
2004, the 2004 World Ability Awards Gala was held in the Grand
Ballroom at Navy Pier, Chicago, IL. During the event, hundreds of
leaders from across the country came together to recognize the
accomplishments of those people who create new freedoms for people who
have a disability.
World Ability Award
Overview
The World Ability Award for an Individual was presented to Adam Kissiah, Jr. by
by: Lt Col. Brian Birdwell, a survivor of the September 11 Terrorist
attack on the Pentagon, AND Also Deputy Superintendent of the Bureau of
Strategy and Accountability of the Chicago Police Department, Thomas G.
Byrne.
In the
1960s, Adam Kissiah began to experience hearing loss. As a NASA
engineer, he had education and experience in electronics and became self
motivated to study and research the disciplines of hearing and
acoustics. The Kennedy Space Center Library provided a wealth of sources
for detailed study in the fields of both hearing and acoustics, and
through his research and development, he proposed a design for
successful transmission of “intelligence” to the hearing center of the
human brain. The Kissiah Patent provided the basic engineering
specification for all Cochlear Implants, which are
surgically implanted
electronic hearing devices that restore the ability to hear sound and understand
speech. The implant is a prosthetic replacement that circumvents damaged
cells, providing direct stimulation to hearing nerve fibers in the inner
ear.
Other nominees in this
category were: Marc Buoniconti,
Judy Huemann, Robert Kilbury, and Sam Schmidt.
See it for yourself in the
Photo Gallery
or read about other awards at
www.worldabilityfederation.com.
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