After the heartbreak of losing their daughter Olivia, Lauren and AJ De Wilzin were blessed with rainbow twins Scott and Rachel-Kim.

Born deaf and now raising twins, Lauren shares how love, resilience, technology and teamwork have shaped her remarkable journey into motherhood. For Lauren, motherhood is measured not only in first smiles, tiny hands and sleepless nights, but also in moments she once feared she might never experience.

Born profoundly deaf, Lauren has never allowed hearing loss to define her life. Today, the 29-year-old is embracing one of life’s greatest adventures, raising three-month-old twins alongside her husband, while proving that deafness is no barrier to building a loving family.

The couple’s journey to parenthood, however, has been one of both heartbreak and hope.

On 12 March 2025, they experienced the devastating loss of their daughter, Olivia, who was stillborn at 39 weeks. Just over a year later, on 13 April, two days after Lauren’s birthday and one week before the couple’s first wedding anniversary, their twins were born.

“They are our precious rainbow babies,” Lauren says.

“After losing Olivia, every milestone with Scott and Rachel-Kim feels even more meaningful. We never take a single moment for granted.”

AJ once told her: “It’s Mother Nature’s way of blessing us with two to make up for the one that was taken from us.”

Although Olivia will always hold a special place in their hearts, Lauren says the twins have brought twice the love and joy they never expected.

Lauren, who was born in Durban, attended the Carel du Toit Centre for the Deaf before completing her schooling at Kenridge Primary and Fairmont High School in Cape Town.

She first received a cochlear implant at the age of 20 in 2017, followed by a second implant three years later.

Today she wears external processors that allow her to hear, but there are still moments each day when silence returns.

“One of my biggest challenges is not being able to hear the babies cry when my cochlear implants are off or charging,” she explains.

Yet, in an unexpected way, silence has also become a gift.

“When both babies are crying at the same time, not always wearing my implants at home can actually help me stay calmer. It helps me focus on what needs to be done instead of becoming overwhelmed.”

Like any parents of twins, Lauren and AJ have quickly learned the importance of teamwork. “Sometimes one baby needs more attention than the other, and it’s easy to feel guilty,” she says.

“We do our best to give them equal love and attention, whether that’s together or by taking turns.”

Their extended family also provides invaluable support. Breastfeeding twins proved more difficult than Lauren expected.

“I assumed having twins meant I would naturally produce much more milk, but that wasn’t my experience. They are mostly formula-fed now, although I still breastfeed whenever I can. At the end of the day, a fed baby is a happy, healthy baby.”

One of Lauren’s greatest joys has been hearing her babies’ first cries.

“It reminds me every day how incredible cochlear implant technology is and how much it has allowed me to experience.”

While Scott and Rachel-Kim are still too young for first words or laughter, they have already begun smiling and cooing. “Watching their little personalities shine through is honestly the cutest thing ever.”

Communication has always been central to Lauren and AJ’s relationship. Married since 20 April 2024, they have naturally developed ways of working together.

“My husband knows when I need him to repeat something or get my attention before speaking. Most nights he hears the babies first and wakes me because I can still sleep deeply when my implants are off.”

As their children grow, Lauren hopes to teach them that communication goes far beyond spoken words. “I rely on eye contact, facial expressions, touch and being fully present. I want them to know there are many different ways to communicate and connect with people.”

Her message to other women with hearing loss is one of hope.

“Don’t let your hearing loss convince you that you’re any less capable of becoming an amazing mother. There may be challenges, but there are also solutions, support and technology that make a difference.”

She adds that children won’t remember whether their mother heard perfectly.

“They’ll remember that they were loved, comforted, encouraged and supported.”

For Lauren, deafness is only one part of who she is.

“I’m a wife, a mother to twins and a social butterfly. Deafness doesn’t define my ability to love, build friendships or raise a family. I hope my story shows that a disability should never be seen as a limitation to living a full and joyful life.”