Albie is a bright and exuberant little boy, just weeks away from turning four.
His energy is infectious, and he’s a popular student at Ti Kōuka Kindergarten in Timaru, where he goes three days a week.
Albie was born profoundly deaf, discovered during a routine newborn screening. His family quickly began to navigate the choices that lay ahead for him and at just four weeks old, he underwent a thorough hearing assessment, which confirmed that he couldn’t hear at all.
The news came as a shock, but Albie’s journey took a significant turn when he received bilateral cochlear implants at just six months old. Though he was too young to remember life before his “special ears,” Albie has embraced his new reality with incredible enthusiasm, according to his mum Annabel.
With his cochlear implants, Albie has flourished. “Eyes open, ears on!” is the first thing he says every morning, as he gets ready to start his day. He enjoys the freedom he feels when he takes them off, especially after a shower or when he first wakes up, but they’re very much part of his every day when he gets himself ready.
“As much as Albie loves his implants, what truly sets him apart is his personality,” says Annabel, who’s a part-time primary schoolteacher. “He’s a go-getter, never letting anything hold him back.”
Whether he’s splashing in the pool during swimming lessons, playing outside with his friends and his little brother Freddie, or reading books, Albie tackles everything with a big smile. He loves being at Kindy, dancing and music, building Lego, and playing board games.
“The support from his kindergarten has been amazing,” says Annabel. “The teachers have gone out of their way to really make Albie feel included and to support his needs. They’ve participated in professional learning about cochlear implants and even learnt New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL).
“Their dedication really showed during special events like Albie’s hearing anniversary and Loud Shirt Day, where the whole community rallied together to join in the fundraising efforts.”
Together, local families and businesses and schools have raised more than $1,700 for Loud Shirt Day.
Annabel says that SCIP plays a vital role in Albie’s development.
“The support from the team at SCIP is nothing short of amazing,” she says.
“Albie adores his visits with Joanne, his habilitationist, and he really looks forward to check-ups with the audiologists who have helped him navigate this world of sound.”
“We’ve also got a great team supporting us at our local audiology department, and lately he’s been finding any excuse just to get there for them to ‘just have a look at my ears’, as Albie would say!”
Help support children like Albie throughout Aotearoa New Zealand who use cochlear implants to access sound. It’s not too late to donate! Give now at www.loudshirtday.org.nz
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