A child is always a blessing no matter her condition. To parents, the birth of a baby is a priceless event worth celebrating. Whether it’s the first, second or third child, moms and dads are always excited to hold their new member of the family in their arms after waiting for nine months.
There are instances, however, when parents face unexpected challenges with their bundle of joy such as when they find out something’s wrong with their very young child. It can be hard to accept at first but with faith in their hearts and support from family and friends, parents are able to gain strength and find solutions to their woes.
One parent in a very trying situation right now is Rhyan Tiangco, father of two-year-old Rhyka. Born on May 5, 2013, Rhyka passed the newborn screening test but her parents noticed she was unresponsive to sound in her first months of life. She was later diagnosed with profound sensorineural hearing loss in both ears. She is now using a hearing aid to help hear sounds in her surroundings but this is not enough. The best solution recommended by her audiologist and ontologist is a cochlear implant for her condition.
Other than her deafness, Rhyka also has cerebral palsy and is still not able to walk at her age. She may be suffering from failure to thrive (FTT) as well due to her small size for her age.
A cochlear implant is a device surgically implanted into the skull to transmit electronic signals directly to the cochlea and brain. The implant works by receiving signals from the outside and transmitting them to the brain.
But unlike the hearing aid, this cochlear implant can be very costly. The cost of the entire procedure can range from $40,000 to $100,000 including evaluation, surgery, device and rehabilitation. Various factors are also taken into consideration such as the duration and extent of a patient’s hearing loss. Other tests may also be needed with regards to Rhyka’s medical condition.
The huge cost involved is way beyond the reach of Rhyan Tiangco and his wife and as such, the couple is seeking financial support for their little girl. Any form of help will be much appreciated.
A fundraising campaign has also been launched on Go Get Funding.com to help Rhyka’s parents with their financial needs. Donations can be sent via the website.
Hearing loss affects millions of children worldwide each year. Due to this condition, they have difficulty developing verbal communication skills.
Originally posted on May 3, 2015 @ 8:00 pm