Zuri Hears Again!

The little angel who had lost her hearing due to Bacterial Meningitis well on the road to fully experiencing the sounds around her again, thanks to your combined efforts, and the generosity of the medical staff at the NYU medical center. Here's what Nicole Boucaud, Zuri's mum, had to say in a comment posting on 'Au Courant!'

"Hi! I just did a google search and came across your blog entry. I just wanted to let you know that thanks to the generosity of family, friends, corporations, ngos, the GOTT, friends of friends, even complete strangers and the wonderful people @ NYU Medical Centre, and the implant manufacturer, Advanced Bionics - Zuri was implanted in her left ear late July 2008 and was able to hear again for the first time a month later.

If all goes well (we are still fund raising and the hospital is working with us to bring the costs down so we hope we are close to target) she is scheduled to be implanted in her right ear in December, with "turn on" some time in January. Meanwhile, Zu is back at pre-school and functioning once again as a happy, hearing 3 year old.

She has adapted fabulously to the implant and her speech and word acquisition skills are pretty much back on track. We have high hopes for the second implant. We don't think we will ever know all of the people who heard/saw Zu's story and responded with donations, prayers or even just good wishes, but on behalf of Zu and her family - Thank You, and God Bless you and yours.

Sincerely
Nicole (Zuri's grateful mom)"


Wow. Isn't this fantastic?! Just goes to show you that we can all make a difference when it matters, even if it's in teeny, tiny ways...

L.M.N. Harris.