An Irish mother has spoken out about the struggle of profoundly deaf children in Ireland.
Rachel Broderick, who is part of the Happy New Ear campaign which rallies for bilateral cochlear implants, is hoping that the Dáil will change the country’s current practice which only allows one cochlear implant to each profoundly deaf child.
Ahead of today's private members' bill discussing bilateral cochlear implants, which she and others involved in the campaign will be attending, they plan to hold a silence (at 10.45am) for those children who are currently struggling.
Speaking about it, Rachel said: “Our children some of which do not have a clear voice of their own and who need others to be their advocate... We hope to lead with a moment silence so that these children won’t have to live with silence.”
The introduction of bilateral implants, which as yet has not been addressed as part of the Budget, is of utmost importance because the hearing nerve in the second ear can die if it isn’t stimulated.
To find out more about the Happy New Ear campaign, visit their
Facebook page or watch the video below which documents their story so far.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfcZWPBqZhs
