Giving back: how one communtiy member helps a child hear better through the Ear Community Organization

Daniel Alejandro (2.5 years old) of Mexico receives a gently used donated Cochlear Americas Baha 4 hearing device from Samantha Pillion of the United States on April 1st, 2017.

Please meet one of our cutest Ear Community members, Daniel Alejandro, from Mexico. Daniel was born on July 14^th 2014 to his wonderful parents Patricia and Daniel. From the first moment of his precious life, he was admitted into the neonatal intensive care unit and stayed there for an agonizing two months. During that time, he showed determination and toughness that proved he was ready to fight for his life! Daniel’s parents didn’t have any answers on his condition, even when they were released from the hospital. Finally, they met with a geneticist who explained some test results to them. Daniel was born with a rare genetic disorder that caused him to have Bilateral Microtia and Atresia as well as low muscular tone, strabismus (misalignment of the eyes), and a high degree of hypermetropy which also makes it difficult to see. Daniel had a long, hard road ahead of him but his parents fought to give him everything he needed. They made sure he received physical, feeding, and sensory therapy. Finally, when Daniel was almost a year and a half old, he started to crawl and pull himself up to a standing position!

Patricia and her husband, Daniel, reached out to the Ear Community Organization to add another fitting piece to little Daniel’s puzzle. They wanted to help him hear. For hearing parents, it can be so daunting to have a baby who is born without hearing in either ear. When that is compounded with countless other conditions and hours of therapy, it can become exhausting. Ear Community was happy to help, and were able to find a generous donor to give Daniel the chance at sound.

Samantha Pillion

Samantha Pillion, a student at American University had a very gently used Cochlear Americas Baha 4, which she had never quite warmed up to. She is in the MPA program and set to graduate this year. Samantha contacted Ear Community, wanting to share this generous gift with someone who needed a device, and we knew exactly who to send it to! Along with the Baha 4 that Samantha donated, she included lots of goodies for the lucky recipient such as: Hal-Hen Mini Super Dri-Aid in its original box, 28 batteries with the magnetic tool, listening tool so others to experience listening through the Baha 4, an abutment cleaning brush, sound processor cleaning wipes, sterile wipes, digital battery tester, Bluetooth microphone accessory, cords/clips/wires, a spare back for the sound processor, user manual, and warranty card.

On April 1^st, 2017, Daniel traveled with his family from Monterrey Mexico to the United States to pick up his new Baha 4. The difference in Daniel was almost immediate says his mother, Patricia, “…his face lit up when he heard our voices and we could tell it was a once-in-a- lifetime moment.” Daniel’s parents were just thrilled for their precious little boy and now can’t wait to see how the world opens up for him now that he has access to sound.

Ear Community would like to extend our warmest gratitude to Samantha Pillion, who thought to share this device with someone who could use it. She is little Daniel’s hero for hearing. A special thank you to Luis, a close family relative, who lives in San Juan, Texas who was able to hold onto Daniel’s Baha 4 and keep it for him until his family could pick it up.

Daniel, there is so much good in the world, and our organization is so happy that you can now hear countless joyful things throughout your life! We wish you all the very best, and are excited to watch you grow and learn.