Juan receives a Cochlear Implant
The students in these classes suffer from auditory neuropathy, a condition that is seen when the transmission path for signals (sound waves) from the inner ear to the brain is functionally defective making it difficult or impossible to hear normally. This defect is unpredictable and has no pattern. Medical professionals have not determined the reason for this anomaly. This disorder affects a small percentage of people. Generally, people affected by this medical condition have a surgical option known as cochlear implant.
When children are affected with auditory neuropathy, there are days when the student hears very little or is profoundly deaf. In her grant request, Principal Tracy Amend explained that the student needing the cochlear implant and the financial assistance was Juan Alantcar Garcia. Juan started his education in the Mountain View Elementary Pre-school. At that time, Juan received a refurbished cochlear implant provided by children hospital. Now ten years old, Juan still attends self-contained classroom Deaf/Hard of Hearing classes, When Juan’s refurbished Cochlear implant was damaged beyond repair in an accident, Juan experienced a severe hearing problem at school, at home, and in public venues.
The Broomfield Rotary Club recognized the hardships Juan faced without a cochlear implant. With his severe hearing problem, Juan’s development of communication skills, speech, and language would be limited. Broomfield Rotary Club members voted to grant the school their full request of $8,989.50 to purchase a new "Cochlear Nucleus 5 Sound Processor and Euro Adaptor". With the help of Children’s Hospital, the purchase of the cochlear implant was accomplished. A Children’s Hospital audiologist was assigned to help Juan eliminate language deficits that can cause learning problems resulting in diminished academic achievement, and communication difficulties that can lead to social isolation and poor self esteem.
The BRCF believes that both of these deficits, left without aid, would leave Juan without opportunities to develop as a student, succeed academically and socially so he can be a productive member of the community. Juan and his family attended a Rotary Club meeting so they could thank the club members for their support and generosity. The joy felt by the Garcia family was matched by the satisfaction felt by Broomfield Rotary Club members who could experience the success of this worthy project.
Now eleven years old, Juan currently attends Deaf/Hard of hearing classes and receives support in mainstream classes at Westlake Middle School. With new confidence, Juan has blossomed into an outgoing and social young man. Principal Tracey Amend states, “Thanks to the BRCF the outcome of a child’s life has been truly impacted. From the bottom of our hearts, we cannot thank you enough for this gift to Juan.”