Merry Christmas and Happy 2016!

A lot of wonderful blessings have poured in our lives this year especially to my baby Enzo who needed it most. We will be forever grateful to our family, friends and friends of our friends who reached out to support the activities we've put up to help raise funds for Enzo's impending cochlear implantation. 

Our first target for the operation should have happened last September. Unfortunately, we weren't able to proceed because of the high cost of the cochlear implants, doctor's fee and hospitalization bill. As a mother, I'd like to give the best care that I can provide to my son this is why I opted to take this path and asked for your support for the fundraiser.

We've managed to organize several mountaineering events - DAYO, Hulugan Falls and the rappelling for a cause in Buruwisan; the GiveForward.com fundraiser put up by a close friend; and to several individuals who weren't present in the activities but didn't forget to share their blessings. 

The amount needed for Enzo's cochlear implantation is P985,000. This includes the Concierto Implant from MED-EL, doctor's professional fee and the overall hospitalization bill. So far, we've only managed to raise P125,855 still far from our goal yet a modest turnout since we started the fundraiser four months ago.

I fervently pray to the Lord that Enzo will soon receive the gift of sound within the first quarter of 2016. We are racing against time since this is the best age when he can have the operation and be able to hear again. 

Again, thank you for your genuine support. Belated Merry Christmas!

To learn more about Enzo's condition, kindly read HERE.

Please follow this blog for more updates about Enzo and to learn more about hearing loss in children and other related information.

For more information, contact Kat at (+63) 917-8067905 or email enzogiftofsound@gmail.com.

Imagine World Without Sound: Rappelling for a Cause

Mt. Romelo (Buruwisan), Sinoloan, Famy, Laguna

Thank you to Nature Adventist Questers for providing the logistics and rope works for this activity.

To learn more about Enzo's condition, kindly read HERE.

Please follow this blog for more updates about Enzo and to learn more about hearing loss in children and other related information.

For more information, contact Kat at (+63) 917-8067905 or email enzogiftofsound@gmail.com.

Photo credit goes to the owners of the images. 

A Thank You Note (Batch II)

Source: Hubpages.com

Thank you for sharing your blessings to Enzo.

Dayo Outdoor Group
Basecamp Outdoor Laguna
Donabel Santos
Neil Biadora
Roy Limbaga
Jhun Bucod
Icey Valenciano
Marc Tan
Glenda Bernabe
Shirley Puerto Pascual

We'll be forever grateful for your support and generosity.

To learn more about Enzo's condition, kindly read HERE.

Please follow this blog for more updates about Enzo and to learn more about hearing loss in children and other related information.

For more information, contact Kat at (+63) 917-8067905 or email enzogiftofsound@gmail.com.

Enzo at Hulugan Falls

Mom Kat and Enzo at Hulugan Falls in Laguna
November 2015

You can only see and feel the world around you. I often wonder about your thoughts as you gaze at the giant falls and swim in the icy cold water. This unfamiliar territory, where there are no busy streets but only the peaceful embrace of the lush green forest. 

I pray someday that you'll hear the mighty sound of the water falling from above, on this same place. I pray that my wish for you will be fulfilled so that you will be able to see and feel the world around you better when you finally receive the gift of sound. 

-----

To learn more about Enzo's condition, kindly read HERE.

Please follow this blog for more updates about Enzo and to learn more about hearing loss in children and other related information.

For more information, contact Kat at (+63) 917-8067905 or email enzogiftofsound@gmail.com.

Happy 2nd Birthday Enzo

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with

yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than

 the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

-- an excerpt from Max Ehrmann's poem Desiderata

Climb for a Cause

A climb for a cause organized by mountaineering group DAYO is set on the following dates to raise funds for Enzo. Come and join us in this activity!

The Enzo A Gift of Sound t-shirt is also available as a part of the fundraising campaign.

To learn more about Enzo's condition, kindly read HERE.

Please follow this blog for more updates about Enzo and to learn more about hearing loss in children and other related information.

For more information, contact Kat at (+63) 917-8067905 or email enzogiftofsound@gmail.com.

A Thank You Note (Batch I)

Source: Todayscreativelife.com

We would like to thank everyone who has shared Enzo's story to their family and friends and for taking the time to visit, read and share this blog through social media.

Enzo and Kat would also like to sincerely thank the following people who have shared their blessings.

Mr. Danilo Castro - UK
Ms. Bel Molina-Valdez - NY
Ms. Mina Grace Joseph - NY
Ms. Rochelle Abulencia - Manila
Mr. Melvin Dimalanta - Dubai
Mr. Jayson Birung (Tau Gamma Phi Triskelion Intl Dubai, UAE)
Mr. Nelson Bautista - Jeddah KSA
Ms. Ailene Balagtas-Paul -  Kenmore, Washington.
Ms. Meiricel Ramos - Manila

We'll be forever grateful for your support and generosity.

To learn more about Enzo's condition, kindly read HERE.

Please follow this blog for more updates about Enzo and to learn more about hearing loss in children and other related information.

For more information, contact Kat at (+63) 917-8067905 or email enzogiftofsound@gmail.com.

A Life Without Sound: What you need to learn about hearing loss in children

Imagine living a life without sound. Imagine growing up without ever knowing what it’s like to hear the sound of laughter, music or your loved ones’ voices.

It’s quite difficult to imagine or put yourself in the shoes of someone growing up missing one of the five senses to help you get by through your daily life. Our senses of sight, smell, touch, hearing and taste are all important and connected that if one thing goes wrong, all aspects of life gets affected.

Source: Freepik.com

For Enzo, discovering the world around him is a challenge. He can’t speak and can’t express himself properly. He was already seven months old when his mom discovered that he can’t hear on both ears.

Bilateral Profound Hearing Loss

Hearing loss is a common birth defect that affects 1 to 3 out of 1,000 babies.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), thirty two million children have disabling hearing loss. This means that the hearing loss is greater than 30 dB – that is the sound of a quiet bedroom at night or a whisper.

Enzo was diagnosed with Bilateral Profound Hearing Loss. There is damage in his inner ear or cochlea, the nerve pathway from the ear to the brain.

Source: https://mechanicalcochlea.wordpress.com/home/the-cochlea/

This type of hearing loss may be caused by genetic syndromes or infection from the mother that was passed to her baby in the womb.

In Enzo’s case, his mom Kat had a urinary tract related infection while she was still pregnant with him.

Race against time

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association notes that 'hearing is critical to speech and language development, communication, literacy and learning. Early identification and intervention of hearing loss can lessen the impact on a child’s development.'

Families and friends are in a race against time to help give Enzo the gift of sound. He is still in his best age to have a cochlear implant surgery that will help him hear the world around him.  He is turning two years old on October 23rd.

One cochlear implant costs about P1.3 million per ear.

On our next blog entry, we will discuss more about cochlear implants and how it will help Enzo hear again.

To learn more about Enzo's condition, kindly read HERE.

Please follow this blog for more updates about Enzo and to learn more about hearing loss in children and other related information.

For more information, contact Kat at (+63) 917-8067905 or email enzogiftofsound@gmail.com.

A day in the life | Enzo's Therapy Part 1: Language and Speech

Enzo with teacher Jessha Bustamante

Enzo had his initial speech evaluation on April 2015. Speech evaluation and therapy are the requirements before the CI (cochlea implantation). His EENT and developmental pedia recommended the Center for Holistic Intervention Plans & Services, Inc. (CHIPS Inc.) where Enzo is currently enrolled. Therapy is done once a week.

CHIPS Inc. is located at 7-A Maginhawa Street in Diliman, Quezon City.

Enzo's learning goals are measured in three categories set in each lesson and activity. These are Audition, Speech, and Language/Cognition. Audition evaluates Enzo's ability to perceive environmental sound through vibrations using musical instruments. Speech sound is observed while playing. Language/Cognition, on the other hand, is also evaluated while playing using toys and book sharing.

 

Based on the evaluation, Enzo shows inconsistent response. He still needs handover assistance, but he can associate sounds to objects like, for instance, "oo" for train and "mm" for car.

Enzo's language and speech therapy must continue after his cochlear implant surgery.

To learn more about Enzo's condition, kindly read HERE.

Please follow this blog for more updates about Enzo and to learn more about hearing loss in children and other related information.

For more information, contact Kat at (+63) 917-8067905 or email enzogiftofsound@gmail.com.

Enzo, a gift of sound

Lorenzo Julian Valenzuela was born on October 23, 2013. Since birth, Enzo showed signs of a healthy and normal baby boy – fascinated and attentive of his surroundings. However, on his seventh month, Enzo's mom, Kat, noticed that he doesn't respond when she calls his name. Moreover, there seemed to be a delay on his speech.

Without a second thought, Kat brought Enzo to his pediatrician. On June 2014, he had his first Otoacoustic Emisstion Test (OEA). This is the test used for newborn hearing screening for infants. Unfortunately, the pediatrician missed to require Kat about the newborn hearing screening when Enzo was born.

Enzo underwent the Otoacoustic Emission Test twice (OEA) in two different clinics to get a second opinion.

On July 2014, Enzo underwent the Brainstem Auditory Evoke Response (BAER) test and the Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR). According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, BAER is a test to measure the brain wave activity that occurs in response to clicks or certain tones. It helps diagnose nervous system problems and hearing loss.

Enzo is asleep while taking the Brainstem Auditory Response Test (BAER).

The ASSR, on the other hand, estimates hearing sensitivity. According to the to The Hearing Review, the goal of ASSR is to create an estimated audiogram from which questions regarding hearing, hearing loss, and aural rehabilitation can be answered.

Mommy Kat holding Enzo while he is undergoing ASSR

Results show that Enzo has Bilateral Profound Hearing Loss. Below is the complete medical profile of Enzo from the Capitol Medical Center.

Medical Profile: 

Diagnosis: Bilateral Profound Hearing Loss

Imaging Studies:

CT Scan:   Bilateral cochlear hypoplasia (Capitol Medical Center, 7-9-14)

MRI:         Bilateral cochlear hypoplasia
                  (Capitol Medical Center, 7-9-14)

ABR & ASSR Studies

ABR:        Abnormal BAER study both ears showing bilateral moderate to severe hearing loss.                            (Clinical neurophysiology lab, Capitol Medical Center, 6-24-14)

ASSR:      ASSR results indicate Profound Hearing Loss, both ears.
                 (Jul. 12, 2014)

Earscoping with his EENT, Dr. Charlotte Chiong

Several monthly aided tests have been conducted at the American Hearing Company of the Philippine Children's Medical Center and the Madriaga Hearing Care Center. However, results still failed and hearing is profound. Currently, Enzo is using hearing aids.

Enzo under MRI Scan last Feb 20, 2015

Below is the summary of of Dr. Chiong's findings:

Summary:

Lorenzo Julian Valenzuela 1 year old boy was diagnosed with bilateral profound hearing loss. The hearing loss was confirmed by ABR, ASSR Studies and Aided Threshold Test. Lorenzo used hearing aids but still he was not able to manifest language and speech development appropriate for his age. As studies showed and as proven by the experiences of other patients, this degree of hearing loss will lead to the non-development of spoken language on the part of the patient unless intervention is done.

In this case, Cochlear implantation is strongly recommended for him to have a chance to access the frequencies that are not accessible with hearing aids, and this may help him to develop his speech and language skills.

Charlotte M. Chiong, M.D., Ph.D.Director
PRC# 61381
PTR# 1791604B

In this regard, we have created this blog to help Enzo raise funds for cochlear implants. A cochlear implant is an electronic medical device surgically implanted to a person who is profoundly deaf. According to Cochlear.com, the implants do the work of damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) to provide sound signals to the brain.

One cochlear implant costs about P1.3 million per ear. Mommy Kat and Enzo can't carry this alone. We are appealing to your kind hearts to help Enzo receive the gift of sound.

Enzo wearing his hearing aids.

Two mountaineering groups have already extended their help to Kat and baby Enzo. Dayo and the Basecamp Outdoor Club of Laguna will conduct mountaineering activities and events that will also help raise funds for Enzo.

We humbly ask for your prayers and support in this endeavor to meet the doctor's timetable. His surgery is scheduled this October 2015. A donation of any amount will do to cover the cost of the cochlear implants.

ACCOUNT INFORMATION:

BDO Savings Acct
Acct Name: Lorenzo Julian Valenzuela
Acct No: 0062-4007-3627
Branch: Marikina - Gil Fernando Ave
For Cash Deposit Only

BPI Current Acct
Acct Name: Sherill Merdegia
Acct No: 4175-8360-26
Branch: Sta. Lucia Cainta

For donations abroad, send through Paypal: kat_merdegia@yahoo.com or at Give Forward.

Please follow this blog for more updates about Enzo and to learn more about hearing loss in children and other related information.

For more information, contact Kat at (+63) 917-8067905 or email enzogiftofsound@gmail.com.