DESPITE initially struggling to adapt to his new world, where he was able to hear using his bilateral hearing aids, one year later after speech therapy and practising using his new aids, Kristiaan Coetzer (5) from St Francis Bay, has adjusted well and now speaks non-stop.
As previously reported by the Kouga Express, Kristiaan was born at 29 weeks, weighing 1.2kg and therefore had to spend at least one month in the neonatal intensive care unit, as he had trouble breathing on his own.
Apart from experiencing difficulties breathing, he also faced many other health challenges, such as a lung infection and he had to receive multiple blood transfusions.
Thankfully, Kristiaan overcame many of his health challenges.
However, his premature birth did influence his ability to hear and speak clearly.
Early last year, Dr Kelly Schroeder, an audiologist, discovered that he had mild to moderate hearing loss in the right ear and moderate to moderately severe hearing loss in his left ear.
Fortunately, with generous donations from various individuals, which amounted to R90 000, Kristiaan’s mother, Lilani Coetzee, was able to pay for Kristiaan’s outstanding medical bills and pay for the bilateral hearing aids he needed for hearing.
At first, Kristiaan was very quiet and shy when he began using his hearing aids and struggled keeping them on.
Now, one year later, Lilani who is a single mother of two and works as an administrator, said Kristiaan loves his hearing aids, and he speaks non-stop.
“He does not speak fluently yet and most words are not pronounced correctly, but he has improved so much,” said Lilani.
She further said he is happy and very outgoing.
“He loves people and talks to anyone willing to have a chat. In town he greets everyone as if he has known them for ages, which is such an amazing improvement,” said Lilani.
She said Kristiaan is scheduled for his yearly audio brainstem response test in February, and they are praying for good results.
Although Kristiaan has had a lot of improvement in the last year, Lilani said it has not been an easy road, especially with the difficulties they have had finding a school in the St Francis Bay area to accommodate Kristiaan.
“I am waiting to hear from a school we have applied to where they are equipped to handle children with different needs to others. This is also much more costly and involves travelling far distances, but I will do everything in my power to make this happen for him,” said Lilani.
Fortunately, she said an anonymous donor whose child also has difficulties hearing is helping her attain an additional hearing receiver for when Kristiaan goes to school next year.
Lilani said with Kristiaan’s various health needs she has many financial difficulties and has often struggled to get everything done.
However, she said God has proven in so many ways that he will provide.
“The last two years have truly taught me so much and has been an amazing experience to see how Kristiaan has improved. He deserves to be happy and be treated as normal,” said Lilani.
She said she was extremely grateful for all the help they have received to give him a chance at a normal life.
“I really want to thank each person who is on this journey with us. Each message of encouragement, phone calls and all the donations,” said Lilani.
For more information e-mail Lilani Coetzee on lilani26.lc@gmail.com or call her on 060 962 4730.
