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Ledger-Enquirer | 03/24/2007 | Church offers help to deaf girl
When Brenda Garcia Asomora was a year old, doctors discovered she had a hearing problem. She needs a cochlear implant.
"I was very distressed," said her mother, Josefina Asomora, through an interpreter. "I didn't know where to turn."
She sought help every place she went. The family even left its native Mexico and legally moved to the United States.
She sought doctors across the state. She was turned down every place she went. A doctor in Atlanta told her he'd operate on her daughter when she -- the mother -- learned English.
One day, Asomora said she saw a former school nurse, Daisy Linton, whom she also recognized from Valley Healthcare. Linton, who subsequently became Asomora's volunteer translator, suggested she get in touch with the Rev. Tom Weiss, pastor at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Phenix City.
Weiss contacted David Dishman, a Columbus hearing aid specialist. After examining Brenda, Dishman said Brenda might hear a bomb, if it went off about 50 feet from her, Weiss said.
Brenda's mother who said she received prenatal care, was not ill during her pregnancy and had no complications. But she said she has two elderly cousins who appear to have the same hearing issues as Brenda, now age 9.
The group finally located someone at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital who agreed to do the surgery -- as soon as they can get money for an initial payment.
"The operation costs well over $100,000," Weiss said. "But the hospital is willing to go ahead with the surgery if they can get $6,800."
Weiss is currently helping raise funds for Brenda's surgery.
To make a tax-deductible donation to help with Brenda's surgery, Weiss said make the check or money order payable to St. Patrick and note that the money is for Brenda's surgery. The address is St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1502 Broad St., Phenix City, AL, 36867. For more information, call Weiss at 334-298-9025.
When Brenda Garcia Asomora was a year old, doctors discovered she had a hearing problem. She needs a cochlear implant.
"I was very distressed," said her mother, Josefina Asomora, through an interpreter. "I didn't know where to turn."
She sought help every place she went. The family even left its native Mexico and legally moved to the United States.
She sought doctors across the state. She was turned down every place she went. A doctor in Atlanta told her he'd operate on her daughter when she -- the mother -- learned English.
One day, Asomora said she saw a former school nurse, Daisy Linton, whom she also recognized from Valley Healthcare. Linton, who subsequently became Asomora's volunteer translator, suggested she get in touch with the Rev. Tom Weiss, pastor at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Phenix City.
Weiss contacted David Dishman, a Columbus hearing aid specialist. After examining Brenda, Dishman said Brenda might hear a bomb, if it went off about 50 feet from her, Weiss said.
Brenda's mother who said she received prenatal care, was not ill during her pregnancy and had no complications. But she said she has two elderly cousins who appear to have the same hearing issues as Brenda, now age 9.
The group finally located someone at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital who agreed to do the surgery -- as soon as they can get money for an initial payment.
"The operation costs well over $100,000," Weiss said. "But the hospital is willing to go ahead with the surgery if they can get $6,800."
Weiss is currently helping raise funds for Brenda's surgery.
To make a tax-deductible donation to help with Brenda's surgery, Weiss said make the check or money order payable to St. Patrick and note that the money is for Brenda's surgery. The address is St. Patrick Catholic Church, 1502 Broad St., Phenix City, AL, 36867. For more information, call Weiss at 334-298-9025.
