USH Ambassador for Mississippi

Danay Trest

Image description: White woman with short brown hair speaks into the camera. A bare wall is directly behind her. A partial view of a window with curtains is to her right.

Transcript: Hi USH family! Danay Trest from Mississippi. I'm currently serving as a board member for the Usher Syndrome Coalition and I'm the ambassador for the state of Mississippi. I also serve on a couple of non-profit organizations at the state level, which are the Deafblind Community of Mississippi, and the Mississippi Hearing/Vision project.

If you know of anyone, or yourself, that needs some assistance or a sense of direction "Where do I go to from here ?" - or just need someone to talk to, please - by all means - feel free to reach out to me. I know what it's like feeling alone. I dealt with that for over 21 years until I finally said I can't handle this anymore by myself. I wish I could have been where I am today even 10 years ago, but nevertheless, always know you're not alone. We're here for you.

We love you. We're going to support you all the way. Thank you! Have a great day.         

Contact Danay at: ambassador.ms@usher-syndrome.org

Resources for Mississippi

  • The USH Trust is the largest international contact database of individuals with Usher syndrome. Created and maintained by the Usher Syndrome Coalition, it is our most powerful tool to connect and inform individuals living with Usher worldwide. The USH Trust allows us to get to know and serve the community better, and to do what we do best: identify, build, support, and connect the community, both within the Usher community and with the research community. We do this via email, telephone, videophone, social media, webinars, local social events, our USH Connections Conference, and the many resources on our website. Come, join us!

  • Individuals with Usher syndrome who are passionate about research have a new data collection platform to join. The Usher Syndrome Data Collection Platform, or USH DCP, is hosted by RARE-X, a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating research. By entering your health information into this secure platform, you will become part of a global database of de-identified information available to researchers worldwide. That means that only you can see your data. Only you can change your data. Your personal information (name, date of birth, address, etc.) will not be shared without your permission. As the DCP grows, more researchers will become aware of Usher syndrome. This can lead to the development of clinical trials, new treatments, and new therapies. YOU hold the key to unlocking future research discoveries.

  • Program and services for youth and adults with combined vision and hearing loss.

  • Provides free telecommunication evaluation, equipment, and training to children and adults with significant vision and hearing loss who qualify. iCanConnect is a national program authorized under the National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program.

  • Provides technical assistance to individuals with combined vision and hearing loss between the ages of birth and 21 years.

  • A national volunteer organization created to empower the voices of families of individuals who are deaf-blind and to advocate for their unique needs.