Royal Arch Research Assistance (R.A.R.A.)
Philanthropy of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Missouri
and the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, International
Fort Collins, Colorado
Members giving at least $3.65 with their dues notice are entitled to a "penny-a-day" sticker to affix to their dues card. Stickers for Chapter Secretaries are available from the Grand Secretary's office.
What is Royal Arch Research Assistance?
Since its conception in 1974, Royal Arch Research Assistance (R.A.R.A) has been the world's leading philanthropy dedicated to helping children with Central Auditory Processing Disorders. R.A.R.A., through the contributions of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International, supports the Center for Central Auditory Research at Colorado State University, where continuous efforts are being made to understand and treat individuals with Central Auditory Processing Disorders. The Beginning
At the 1972 Triennial meeting in Las Vegas, Most Excellent (M.E.) Edward Selby, Past Grand High Priest (P.G.H.P.) of Ohio and Grand King of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter International, proposed at the Grand King's meeting that General Grand Chapter should have a unique and unified Philanthropy, one that would not conflict, detract or duplicate existing charities.
In 1974, the R.A.R.A. was born after extensive investigation. The plans were implemented in 1975 during M.E. Gordon Merrick's term. What is Central Auditory Processing Disorder?
Children with CAPD typically have completely normal hearing acuity and have no difficulty understanding very soft speech in quiet environments, such as a sound-proofed room. However, because of inefficiencies in their central auditory nervous system, that is, their brainstem and cortex, these children often receive auditory messages in a distorted or incomplete manner, even in minimally noisy situations. Because of their difficulty with understanding speech, these children often develop academic, emotional, and social problems. Researchers at the R.A.R.A. Center for Central Auditory Research have discovered that as many as 15% to 25% of school-aged children have CAPD, and that nearly 40% will fail at least one school grade due to this disorder, despite normal intelligence. Children with CAPD frequently misunderstand verbal instructions, are easily distracted or confused in minimally noisy places, and fail to perform up to their potential. In noisy environments, these children experience a listening chaos, and become frustrated, underachieving students. What Causes CAPD?
The causes are still a mystery, and speculation covers a wide range:
1) difficulty during the mother's pregnancy or during the birth process;
2) illness, disease and high fever in early life;
3) medications;
4) alcohol and drug use;
5) environmental pollutants.
There does seem to be evidence to support the fact that some cases are the result of genetic transmission, or, in other words the condition is apparently inherited from their parents. Some types of accidents to the head can cause damage to the brainstem and brain and result in a Central Auditory Processing Disorder. What is Being Done?
Researchers at the Center for Central Auditory Research are conducting exhaustive studies as to prevalence and management of CAPD. Exciting results have occurred for many children with specialized use of acoustic earplugs and earmuffs, strategic classroom seating arrangements, FM wireless microphone systems, and even electronic manipulation of speech signals used to enhance the intelligibility of speech.
But before effective management can be initiated, children must first be identified as having CAPD. The Center for Central Auditory Research has seen hundreds of children from across the nation so that they may be administered a battery of special tests designed to identify deficiencies in their central auditory nervous systems. A number of these tests were designed by researchers at the Center are are used around the world. Upon identifying the existence of CAPD, the children and their parents receive an individualized management program for home and school to offset the debilitating effects of a Central Auditory Processing Disorder. Most rewarding are the reports from parents, teachers, and children about how the work by R.A.R.A. and the Center for Central Auditory Research has improved the lives of hundreds of children with Central Auditory Processing Disorders.
Though there remain many unanswered questions about the nature, cause, and treatment of CAPD, R.A.R.A.'s persistent efforts continue to impact thousands of children and their families.
Comments of Appreciation from Colorado State University
We have greatly appreciated the support we have received from the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International. Through your efforts, we have learned a great deal about this special condition which impacts a significant number of individuals in both pediatric and adult populations.
The study of central auditory function is an intriguing endeavor. A central auditory processing disorder impacts the academic, work, and social behavior of the child and adult. We have been fortunate to be able to continue this study with the support of Royal Arch Research Assistance. With a multi-disciplinary approach which combines the expertise of individuals in various disciplines, we hope to expand our efforts in the study of this unique perceptual disorder. Hopefully, we will be able to make an even greater contribution in the enhancement of functioning of individuals with Central Auditory Processing Disorders.
Thank you again for all your support,
Sincerely,
Joan M. Burleigh, M.A., Director
Center for Central Auditory Research HOW CAN I HELP?
If you would like to take part in helping children with Central Auditory Processing Disorders, share this information with your friends, coworkers, family and your local school system. Your financial contribution will allow you the satisfaction of knowing that this invaluable research and service to humankind will continue for years.
If in Missouri, send your R.A.R.A. contributions to your Chapter Secretary. Otherwise, send your R.A.R.A. contributions to the address at the bottom of this page.
Certificates are designed for contributions of $25.00, $50.00, and $100.00 A $1000.00 dollars contribution receives a very impressive with a keystone in the center. Additional contributions of $500.00 add a small diamond to the pin. Certificates and pins are awarded to both individual donors and donating organizations. Donations are IRS deductible.
Other than the pin, a greater incentive might be that the research you have funded in part might very well have brought a better life to some one who were affected with CAPD, an important learning disability.
