Fundraiser for chochlear implants

In February 2014 Payton was diagnosed with severe bilateral hearing loss.

She still has her whole life ahead of her and whatever her dreams may be, she deserves the best chance of achieving them.

According to Payton’s mother, Michelle van Zyl, Payton caught a bad upper respiratory infection in May 2013.

“In June, we noticed that she stopped speaking and no longer responded to us when we called her. She went for checkups where we were told that if she didn’t start speaking by the time she was two, we should then take her to a specialist,” said Van Zyl.

With a mother’s gut feel that something was not right, Van Zyl made her an appointment with a specialist anyway.

“A week before her specialist appointment, Payton had such a bad ear infection that her left eardrum burst,” said Van Zyl.

“At the appointment we were told that Payton had very bad ‘glue ear’ and would need grommets and that this was probably the reason she couldn’t hear.”

At her checkup a week after the operation, her family was told that sometime’s grommets take a while to start working. “Three checkups later, four weeks down the line and after much persistence, the specialist finally referred to us to an audiologist.”

Two months later, Van Zyl had received three different results and was no closer to finding out what was wrong. They were were referred for a second opinion.

On 28 February, the results were conclusive – Payton had severe bilateral hearing loss. “We were heartbroken,” said Van Zyl.

After a trial period, it was discovered that hearing aids would not work for little Payton and that she would need cochlear implants.

“The medical aid are not covering any of the expenses and we are now having to raise all the funds ourselves.”

Cochlear implants can cost up to R600 000 after all the associated fees.

She has been preliminarily booked in for the cochlear implant operation on 22 July.

A fundraiser will take place at the Theatre on the Square on 9 June. Nik Rabinowitz will perform live at a cost of R200 per ticket. Bookings can be made by calling Christine on 071 121 5997.

A limited raffle is also being run at a cost of R300 per ticket. Prizes range from a R30 000 travel voucher to photo shoots and work out sessions.

Details: Michelle van Zyl 083 391 1850, info@helppaytonhear.co.za, www.helppaytonhear.co.za