Christmas blessing - Five-year-old gets special gift of hearing aids

When Tara Chambers called her daughter's name and got an instant reaction from the five-year-old, tears welled up in the mother's eyes. Chambers is used to calling Jaydi-Ann Chambers' name more than once, and doing so with a raised voice, to get a reaction.

Yesterday, however, was the start of a new chapter in the lives of the parent and child as Jaydi-Ann was fitted with hearing aids at the Caribbean Hearing Centre in Kingston.

Shortly after seeing her daughter fitted with the hearing aid, an overjoyed Chambers called out "Jay!" Jaydi-Ann heard her. The child swiftly turned around, acknowledging her mother's voice, and responded with a smile.

Life has changed

"Me and my daughter's life has changed because she can finally hear me," Chambers said. "We can finally have a conversation, talk and laugh together; no more showing her signs and shouting."

The mother said that she first noticed that something was wrong with her baby when the child was about one year old.

"I realise that when I'm calling her she [is] not responding. I use to be on top of my voice and she wouldn't turn around or nothing," she said.

The story about Jaydi-Ann's hearing difficulties was published in THE STAR on November 26, and it caught the attention of Canopy Insurance Limited, which stepped up and financed the purchase of the hearing aids, valued at $350,000.

Jaydi-Ann and her mother journeyed from Claremont, St Elizabeth, to the capital city yesterday to collect the life-enhancing gift. Just mere moments before the aids were programmed by the doctor and sound waves flowed through, it was an ocean of anticipation and the look of eagerness was plastered over the faces of those who witnessed Jaydi-Ann's life-changing moment.

"I want to thank Canopy Insurance, who made it possible today, and also THE STAR, for putting it out there," Chambers said.

Dr Georgia Beavers, the clinical audiologist who fitted Jaydi-Ann with the hearing aids, said that 'Jay' now has a better chance at a normal life.

"Jaydi-Ann's life will change tremendously. She will have more self-esteem, she will be able to go in a regular school classroom and be her best self. It will also give her a chance to improve on her socio-economic situation as she gets older," said Beavers. "Moments like these are so precious to me because it is my passion, and I love children."

Jaydi-Ann will require speech therapy as her speech has been delayed as a result of her hearing problem. Nonetheless, she managed to say 'thank you' after being fitted with the device.

Andre Karjohn, vice-president of operations at Canpoy Insurance, said it is a "blessing" for his company to have been part of the life-changing moment for young Jadyi-Ann.

"For us, to give her this wonderful gift and have her fully integrate into society means so much," Karjohn said.

"She is such a bundle of joy. Just watching her interact, I could see the genuine love she has for people," he added.