Hearing Aids for Michael

Hello, friends. Most of you know Michael's powerful  story of surviving a brain tumor from age 6. Many of you were part of that story. Today  Michael is a happy, healthy 35 year old. He and his family have not forgotten the precious gift of healing and a second chance at life.

The treatment Michael underwent saved his life, and we are incredibly grateful. But the price he paid to be cancer-free is partial deafness. Michael's insurance covers most of his medical expenses, with the exception of hearing aids. A recent hearing evaluation confirmed that Michael has total hearing loss in one ear and greatly reduced hearing in the other--a result of chemotherapy.

Michael is a very happy, content, loving, optimistic young man. He is a friend to everyone he meets. He helps teach elementary age kids at church, shares his drawings, toys, Bibles, stories and kindness with them. But the noise level in a classroom makes it difficult to interact with the kids. In fact, he struggles to maintain conversation in a group because of hearing loss. Michael is a bright, caring person who is left out of many conversations and even relationships. There are some losses he will never regain from cancer, but hearing does not have to be one of them.

Now we have an opportunity to help Michael hear again. You may know that Michael's Papa Ed, my Dad, passed away last fall.  Dad was an incredible man who left behind a lifetime of precious memories and a lasting legacy. He also left behind his state-of-the-art hearing aids, which he got last April. Dad used them until his passing in October. My Mom, Evalyn, gave Dad's hearing aids to Michael, so after Christmas we took Michael to Miracle Ear to see if he could use Dad's hearing aids.  The doctor worked his magic and Michael was able to hear sounds he hasn't heard since he was 6. His brain is learning to recognize, distinguish and block out sounds that you and I take for granted. We can have a conversation in a car, store or parking lot now. He's really taking ownership of this beautiful gift of hearing, and we're so happy for him. The possibility of Michael getting a job is a reality now that he can hear again.

The caveat is that when Dad left us, the hearing aids were not paid off. We've paid $500 so far, but there is a remaining balance due of $3800. If we can pay them off by April, we will avoid pretty steep interest charges. Michael is using his disability money to make payments, but we are reaching out to ask you to partner with us to meet this deadline. Not only can Michael hear again, this takes the financial burden off my Mom's shoulders as she continues life without her 'honey'.

As we gathered to remember, celebrate and say good-bye to our Dad, Ed Finney, last fall, we thanked God for his legacy and the gifts of love that he left us. 'Papa Ed' was Michael's champion. Dad's final Christmas present to Michael and our family is the beautiful gift of hearing. I hope you will consider being part of this gift to Michael.