|
September
2012: A Friend of the GOHF launches bike-a-thon team in
Lowell, Massachusetts
In 2005,
shortly after the Gift of Hearing Foundation was formed,
we were contacted by Dorothy Eisenhaure, a speech
therapist who was working with a sweet 5-year old boy
named Troy from Lowell, MA. Troy was born deaf but
received a cochlear implant at the age of 4.
Troy was now school-age and trying to fit into the
social scene at his new grammar school in Lowell, after
relocation from Kansas, but it was hard for him. His
surgery was performed under Medicaid guidelines which
meant he only received one external processor; which at
the time was a cumbersome and outdated body pack with a
wire that ran from his belt up to his head. Not only was
he embarrassed by this device; it also hampered his
ability to play sports and be as active as his
contemporaries. This device also made him feel
“different” even from other kids who had hearing aids,
so he suffered socially and academically.
Ms. Eisenhaure felt that if Troy were able to receive
the new and updated Behind-the-Ear (BTE) processor, it
would not only increase his hearing/speech abilities;
but improve his social and academic situations as well.
The Gift of Hearing Foundation (the GOHF) stepped in and
made this device transition possible for Troy, who was
at that point 6 years old. Upon a follow-up visit 6
months after he received his new device, Troy was like a
new child. He had excelled in both his social and his
academic skills and was viewed as a child with very high
potential. Troy said the new CI made a huge difference
in his life.
 Troy
is now 13 years old. The processor he received back in
2005 is still helping him, but he does not have a
back-up unit for when this device breaks down or needs
repair. Most patients receive two BTE’s for this
purpose, but Troy’s Medicaid coverage will not provide
this for him. The $8,000 price tag for the device is far
beyond his family’s means. So now he must “go deaf”
during periods when his BTE isn’t working. This is a
devastating occurrence to Troy, causing setbacks at
school and in anything he needs to do, because he has no
“deaf” acclimation. He cannot read lips, nor is he used
to being without hearing. "Going deaf" is dangerous for
him as well, as he cannot hear approaching traffic or
auditory warning signals.
Sadly, the GOHF was not able to help with this second
device as per guidelines and a limited set or resources.
However, Rosanne Riddick, a longtime supporter and
friend of the GOHF, stepped up to the plate and
volunteered to form a team to enter the upcoming
Bike-a-thon sponsored by the Greater Lowell Community
Foundation as part of the Lowell River Fest on September
22, 2012. Through this event, she sought to raise the
$8000 needed for Troy's new BTE device.
UPDATE -
October 29, 2012: Thanks to Rosanne's efforts and an
outpouring of support for the community, Troy is now on
his way to receiving his BTE equipment! Congratulations!
|
