Cleo's Cochlear Implants

In March I will be swimming, biking and running 225.8 KM in the New Zealand Ironman to raise funds for Cleo's cochlear implant.

When Cleo was born in 1996, unbeknownst to her parents or anyone else at the time, Cleo was and still is, profoundly deaf due to the genetic lottery.

At 2 years of age Cleo was unable to speak or communicate as a normal child could, which raised alarm bells. Hearing aids were trialed, which were ultimately of no use, as a result it was determined that a cochlear implant would be the next and only remaining course of action.

It wasn't until 1998 that Cleo got public funding for one cochlear implant in her left ear (children today have both implants funded but this was not the case in 1998). The implant proved to be successful in helping Cleo hear partially through her left ear. This was a massive step forward and helped Cleo to communicate and speak.

Fast forward to today, 22 years later, and while Cleo has worked hard to communicate and socialize to a reasonable level, it is still extremely difficult to live with impaired hearing and depend upon lip reading. Cleo struggles in many noisy group settings such as restaurants, bars or even in her own living room when she has guests over. Being able to only hear on one side is also difficult as Cleo has no sense of sound direction and needs to constantly position herself to the right of people if she wants to be able to listen and actively contribute a conversation.

The constant struggle from such limited hearing throughout her life has been difficult, but in particular in Cleo's 20's, it has had a significant impact on Cleo's mental health. Unfortunately, the New Zealand Government does not fund the second implant which has to be paid for privately at a cost of around $50,000.

To help Cleo fund a life changing implant, I am hoping to raise $10,000. I will be completing the New Zealand Ironman in March to show my support and raise further awareness for a great cause.