About

Our organization has sponsored the Scottish Rite Childhood Speech and Language Program at Marshall University’s Speech and Hearing Center since March 2002. In 2012, the program name was changed to the Lackey-Oshel RiteCare Clinic to honor the program founders, Ill. James H. Lackey 33° and Ill. H. Pat Oshel 33°.

The program provides a unique opportunity for children in the Tri-State to develop communication skills needed to succeed in life in a supportive, compassionate atmosphere. The mission of the program is to provide financial assistance for speech, language and hearing service provision for children. We rely on fundraising activities and donations to provide financial support for the program.

Annual fundraising activities include:

Family Spotlight: The Hysell Family

When Jonathan Hysell was born early at 25 weeks, his mother, Connie, knew there would be challenges along the way.

When he was 3 years old, she realized he wasn’t able to communicate or consume food and drink without some help.

Now, just a year later, 4-year-old Jonathan has made what Connie Hysell refers to as amazing progress working with the speech therapists at the Marshall University Speech and Hearing Center. His mother said she hopes to one day hear her son say the words, “I love you, Mommy.”

Jonathan is one of many children who have been helped over the years through the Scottish Rite Childhood Speech and Language Program at Marshall.

Since 2002, the Scottish Rite program has provided comprehensive services to children with communication disorders without regard to a family’s ability to pay.

“When Jonathan was born, he was officially diagnosed with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, cerebral palsy and eventually a receptive-expressive language disorder secondary to extreme prematurity,” Connie Hysell said in a release. “With these challenges, we really did not know what to expect with his development. Since coming to Marshall, his speech and language have skyrocketed. I love watching him learn in speech therapy, and then taking those strategies home and working to improve his vocalization. None of this would be possible without the financial support of the Scottish Rite Foundation.”

Connie said she looks forward to the progress he will continue to make thanks to the speech and language services provided by Marshall’s Speech and Hearing Center. She said she hopes other families in the Tri-state region how the Huntington Scottish Rite Foundation can serve as a resource for their child, just like they have been for Jonathan.