Christmas miracle for Lucy
Like millions of children, Lucy Rees is looking forward to Christmas; but her experience will be extra special this year, as she’ll be able to hear for the first time.
When Lucy was born prematurely on December 1 2007, doctors believed she would be dead within hours due a mass of health problems caused by Cytomegalovirus. The illness, a type of herpes virus, can also cause hearing impairments and left Lucy profoundly deaf.
But the determined 11-month-old fought against the odds and grew into a bubbly, bouncy baby.
“It was a huge shock as I’d never even heard of the virus,” explained mum-of-three Louise Rees. "You're warned about all kinds of diseases your unborn child could have, but not this one.”
A few months ago, Louise and husband Mark, from Solihull, discovered their child was entitled to receive a double cochlear implant on the NHS. Lucy was one of the youngest recipients to receive one, and the device will allow her to hear sounds for the first time in her life.
“We are really looking forward to her first birthday and Christmas and all the sounds and songs that come with it,” said Louise. “It was a rotten Christmas Day last year, as Lucy came home the day before and was quite ill. In a way this will be her first Christmas too.”
Lucy, who had the surgery at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, is due to have the implant fully activated today.
Read the full story here.
Comments
Iam soo happy for Lucy, after reading her story, that give me much hope for my little grandson, he is two years old, and is a canidate for cochlear implants, he is just in the beginnig stages of testing. I'm looking forward to happier days ahead. My prayers are with you and your family, and looking forward to the days, that he can hear our voices.Thanks so much. Minnie Brown
Posted by: Minnie Brown | November 16, 2008 12:32 AM