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bayanihan dot org - 24 - Deaf, mute nine-year-old boy gets First Gentleman’s help
A deaf and mute nine-year-old boy has sought the help of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo to have his hearing restored through an inner ear replacement so he can be normal again and have a brighter future.
Ken Nicole Abaya completely lost his sense of hearing on both ears when he was only three years old. He was diagnosed to have a profound sensorineural hearing loss and has been using super power hearing aids.
Kent is scheduled to undergo a new technology surgery of Cochlear Implantation or inner ear replacement to restore his hearing.
To be able to do so, Marianita Abaya, Kent’s mother, thought of the First Gentleman as her son’s only benefactor.
In a letter sent to Atty. Arroyo, Kent’s mother asked his assistance as the implantation process will cost P970,000 which her family could not afford.
”We know your great concern for the welfare of the handicapped that we are seeking your help for our son,” Abaya said.
”We know that many (poor people) have benefited from your various charitable projects,” Abaya added.
The Office of the First Gentleman wasted no time in endorsing Kent’s case to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
The grateful mother said she was not expecting that the First Gentleman’s office could act on her request right away and instantly.
According to Abaya, her son is now Grade II at the St. Francis School – VSA arts Philippines in Quezon City, a non-government educational community-based center which caters to children with various disabilities, particularly those with hearing impairment, attention deficit disorder and the multi-handicapped. He is being assisted by a Japanese Foster Parent.
Kent, according to his mother, is a consistent medalist in his school, excelling in Math, Arts and Sports.
”We are happy of his achievements but we were advised that his amplifications cannot give him the assurance to hear clearly and it will be hard for him to cope with his lessons,” she said.
The mother said it is for this reason that they are considering the Cochlear Implantation despite the very high cost involved. “And we thought of the First Gentleman to help us.”
Despite his disability, Kent is very creative, fond of cooking and always find means to help her in the daily chores, Abaya said.
Recently, the First Gentleman was cited by a European medical electronics company for his donation that helped deaf children restore hearing through cochlear implantation.
In 2005, the First Gentleman, through his private foundation, arranged for the free cochlear implantation surgery of Abner Lawrence Baluyot, 8 years old, of Magalang, Pampanga. The implantation was done abroad.
Now, the process can be done in the Philippines. To date, there are about 100 cochlear implantations done in the country, of which 90 percent of the patients are children.
A deaf and mute nine-year-old boy has sought the help of First Gentleman Mike Arroyo to have his hearing restored through an inner ear replacement so he can be normal again and have a brighter future.
Ken Nicole Abaya completely lost his sense of hearing on both ears when he was only three years old. He was diagnosed to have a profound sensorineural hearing loss and has been using super power hearing aids.
Kent is scheduled to undergo a new technology surgery of Cochlear Implantation or inner ear replacement to restore his hearing.
To be able to do so, Marianita Abaya, Kent’s mother, thought of the First Gentleman as her son’s only benefactor.
In a letter sent to Atty. Arroyo, Kent’s mother asked his assistance as the implantation process will cost P970,000 which her family could not afford.
”We know your great concern for the welfare of the handicapped that we are seeking your help for our son,” Abaya said.
”We know that many (poor people) have benefited from your various charitable projects,” Abaya added.
The Office of the First Gentleman wasted no time in endorsing Kent’s case to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO).
The grateful mother said she was not expecting that the First Gentleman’s office could act on her request right away and instantly.
According to Abaya, her son is now Grade II at the St. Francis School – VSA arts Philippines in Quezon City, a non-government educational community-based center which caters to children with various disabilities, particularly those with hearing impairment, attention deficit disorder and the multi-handicapped. He is being assisted by a Japanese Foster Parent.
Kent, according to his mother, is a consistent medalist in his school, excelling in Math, Arts and Sports.
”We are happy of his achievements but we were advised that his amplifications cannot give him the assurance to hear clearly and it will be hard for him to cope with his lessons,” she said.
The mother said it is for this reason that they are considering the Cochlear Implantation despite the very high cost involved. “And we thought of the First Gentleman to help us.”
Despite his disability, Kent is very creative, fond of cooking and always find means to help her in the daily chores, Abaya said.
Recently, the First Gentleman was cited by a European medical electronics company for his donation that helped deaf children restore hearing through cochlear implantation.
In 2005, the First Gentleman, through his private foundation, arranged for the free cochlear implantation surgery of Abner Lawrence Baluyot, 8 years old, of Magalang, Pampanga. The implantation was done abroad.
Now, the process can be done in the Philippines. To date, there are about 100 cochlear implantations done in the country, of which 90 percent of the patients are children.