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Ear foundation given big hand by Countess
On 25th September HRH The Countess of Wessex visited The Ear Foundation in Nottingham to meet groups of deaf children and their families. The children have had their lives transformed by cochlear implantation - from being totally deaf, they can now hear the conversation of their families and friends. The parents of some of the youngest children told the Countess about the changes that cochlear implantation has brought to family life, while the older children spoke for themselves about what a cochlear implant has enabled them to do at home and school - and the challenges they face as they enter further education and the world of work. Tricia Kemp, the mother of 18-year-old Alex, who was born profoundly deaf and was the first born-deaf child in the UK to receive a cochlear implant, said: "If someone had told me when my profoundly deaf son Alex was one year old that, when he was 18, he would be chatting with a member of the Royal Family, I would never have believed it. It just goes to show that dreams can come true - certainly the closest thing to a miracle I have seen in my lifetime." 12-year-old Tara Vinden, who presented the Countess with a Cochlear koala, as a gift for her daughter Louise and her unborn baby, gave the following speech: "When I was a newborn baby my parents were told that I was profoundly deaf in both ears, therefore I was given the tiniest hearing aids ever in order to help me hear!" "However, by the time I was five my mum and dad felt my speech wasn't as developed as many other children of the same age. So I came to Nottingham where we met some very kind people who agreed to give me a cochlear implant, and, in June 2000 after a five hour operation, I had an implant." "At first my reaction was "I don't like it!? But as I have got older my speech became more developed and I have become fond of it! So far it's the best thing that has ever happened to me, as well as my King Charles spaniel dog - Dasher." "Without my implant today I wouldn't be attending a mainstream school. I can join in with everything from French lessons to singing lessons! I can hear the birds tweeting and the rain drops pitter pattering on the floor, my dog's little snuffles and snores and the clocks tick-tocking." "Nothing will be able to explain how grateful I am to all the people involved here at The Ear Foundation and the cochlear implant team in Nottingham who have helped me be the girl you can see and hear today." The Nottingham-based charity, The Ear Foundation, brought cochlear implantation for children to the UK in 1989, amid much controversy. Now the majority of profoundly deaf children have a cochlear implant. However, there remain issues of access for many families, particularly as it becomes apparent from evidence elsewhere that two cochlear implants are better than one - and, in the UK, this is still rare. The Ear Foundation supports all families of deaf children to have access to the latest technology for their child and make the best use of it - so that all deaf children have the opportunity to hear, wherever they live. Jason Broekhuizen's three-year-old son, Tom, benefited from the single cochlear implant which he received when he was 22 months old, and Jason decided to fund the second one himself. Jason said: "Cochlear implants have restored a world of opportunities to our son following his hearing loss through meningitis. We have benefited enormously from the expertise and support of the staff at The Ear Foundation, an organisation bringing much needed publicity to the many issues surrounding cochlear implantation: access to two implants and the importance of high quality ongoing therapeutic involvement." The Ear Foundation has strong links with other major deaf-related charities in the UK, such as RNID and NDCS. Brian Lamb, Acting Chief Executive of RNID, of whom the Countess of Wessex is a Trustee, said: "The Countess's visit was a day to remember for the children and families who have undergone the life-changing decision to have a cochlear implant fitted." "RNID believes the decision to choose cochlear implantation lies firmly with a child's parents, or with individual adults. But sadly, the postcode lottery surrounding cochlear implants means not everyone who chooses to go ahead with the operation gets help they need from their local health authority." "RNID will continue to work closely with The Ear Foundation to ensure that all deaf children and young people have the best possible access to new hearing technology." Sean Moran Director of UK Services at NDCS said: "The Ear Foundation provides a superb service to support parents and children and NDCS is proud to be a supporter and partner with the Ear Foundation in their invaluable work. The Countess's visit was inspirational for the children but the real stars of the day were the children themselves." www.cochlear.co.uk
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