When I look at my niece Ariana, I see a little girl with a head of curls who has a face and personality that melt my heart. I love her as if she were my own and hurt for her the same. Not being a parent myself I do not know the exact pain one would feel, but I do know it is heart breaking loving someone so innocent and small and wanting only the best for them. She is a smart and beautiful Two year old, who is a ball of energy and has no fear when it comes to getting what she wants. Like any other child she wants to be right along with all the other kids while playing, especially with her big sister, little brother and friends. She definitely has her own sense of style, as her go to outfit is a bathing suit (which she will wear anywhere and everywhere everyday)sunglasses and do not forget her purse, keys and phone. Looking at her you would think she is a perfect little two year old, which she is to everyone who loves her, but God chose to make this perfect little girl deaf. Being born fully deaf in her right ear was a hard thing to cope with, but being strong and positive was the only way for the family. This was going to be a hurdle in life as there are many, but with being able to have full hearing in her left ear she would still be able to learn speech, even though it would not be easy it would be possible. At two years of age it was discovered Ariana had fully lost hearing in her left ear as well. This was harder to deal with as the hurdle just became that much bigger for her. Being fully deaf does not completely hinder one, but it does make for a long and harder road to travel in life. Every child deserves to have every opportunity to take on this world and Ariana’s family is going to fight to give her that chance. Ariana will be having surgery to get a cochlear implant for each ear; however even with health insurance this is extremely expensive. (For those who do not know; a cochlear implant is an electronic medical device that is surgically implanted and replaces the function of the damaged inner ear. This device will make sounds louder, and does the work of damaged parts of the inner ear (cochlea) to provide sound signals to the brain.)To her family her ability to hear and speak means so much that they are willing to do everything possible to give Ariana the best! Ariana is attending speech therapy twice a week (therapy is not covered by insurance and is an extreme cost) and will hopefully have her cochlear implants in the near future. The biggest wish her family has is for her to hear and speak just as any child should. They cannot wait for the day she hears them say “I love you” and for her to respond with the same. This is going to be a long journey, but with YOUR help (NO MATTER HOW BIG OR SMALL) you can give the road to a little girls’ voice a few less speed bumps!