Help give Ballito’s Cody Gratwicke the gift of hearing
Mom Sheree Ogle told the Courier should the required funds be raised, her son will receive state-of-the-art hearing implants.
Clearly hearing the sounds of birds in the distance and waves crashing on Ballito’s shores are privileges local teenager Cody Gratwicke can only dream about.
But there is hope for his loss of hearing to be restored, although R140 000 needs to be raised to make it possible.
To help achieve the goal La Piazza restaurant in Ballito have stepped up to host a fundraiser for Cody next Friday, September 1.
Life for 14-year-old Cody has always been different from those of other children.
He was born with a chronic heart condition requiring open heart surgery at the tender age of four months.
At age three it was discovered he also struggled with hearing and speech, necessitating the need for a hearing aid.
He has since gone completely deaf in his left ear, and in recent years was also diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome.
Life is difficult for Cody, but his family have placed their hope on the upcoming fundraiser to at least help afford them the means to give him the gift of hearing.
Mom Sheree Ogle, who runs a bakery from home, told the Courier should the required funds be raised, her son will receive state-of-the-art hearing implants, which could potentially also stimulate hearing in his left ear.
In essence, Cody would be able to hear sounds the way everyone else does, a new experience he had for the first time when they recently tested the device.
“The first thing he could hear was the wind. It was like hearing properly for the first time,” Sheree said.
Programming and calibrating the device for Cody’s use is Be Heard Audiology Ballito director and senior clinical audiologist, Bronwyn Hein.
“This is really something which is going to set Cody up for the rest of his life,” said Hein.
She added amplification of sound through normal hearing aids do not work well for Cody and that he would need cochlear implants.
Medical aid only covers about half of the cost, and with each implant priced at R200 000, getting there has been difficult. The family has through various means managed to raise around R60 000 so far.
Cody, who incidentally loves playing drums, is halfway through Grade 8 this year and said he was excited about the possibly of soon being able to have normal hearing.
Be sure to support the Spring Festival Help Cody Hear Fundraiser at La Piazza from 4pm next Friday.
The event promises a variety of entertainment, including live performances and much more, all at a cost of only R150 a ticket.
For bookings, call 032 586 3565.
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