Joshua Lute Bone Anchored Hearing Aid Fund

I am setting up this fundraiser on behalf of my son Joshua Lute. 

Joshua is in need of a BAHA (Bone anchored hearing aid) sound processor so that he is able to hear due to his birth defect.   After several attempts to submit a claim and appeal letters to Joshua’s insurance company, our requests for them to help pay for a new BAHA sound processor has been denied. This BAHA system can range in price from $6,000-$10,000; this is only for the processor and would not include any additional charges for the audiologist or doctor visits or if he would have to have another surgery to replace the abutment that the BAHA connects to.  There are three different processors you can purchase and we are seeking help to purchase the processor that costs the least, which is the BAHA 5 and costs approximately $6,000. 

 
JOSHUA’S CONDITION:

Joshua was born with Bilateral Microcia (this is a congenital deformity where the external ears are underdeveloped) with external auditory canal atresia and conductive hearing loss with Treachers Collins Syndrome. Basically, he was born with no ears and some facial deformities.  Due to this, Joshua has to wear a device that requires him to hear through bone conduction.  When writing the letters for the appeal to the insurance company, his doctor had stated that the BAHA sound processor replacement should receive the same consideration for coverage as all other prosthetic devices because it is the correct treatment for Josh to restore the function of his ears that he was born without. 

Joshua received his first bone-anchored surgery at age 14 for the BAHA placement device.  The titanium fixture was implanted into the bone of his skull and the BAHA sound processor that connects to this abutment was attached.  The BAHA sound processor allows him to hear speech and other sounds via bone conduction.


JOSHUA NOW:   

Joshua is 33 years old now and he has not had a new processor since his surgery mentioned above at age 14.  The BAHA he had stopped working over a year and a half ago and could not be repaired due to it being an outdated model that the manufacturer no longer makes.  For the past year he has been wearing a loaner processor from his previous doctor who is requesting its return.  This loaner is also very old and outdated and does not have good sound quality, because of this it has interfered with his ability to communicate properly. To communicate, Joshua has to try to rely on reading lips and attempt to be in quiet areas to hear a person talking. 

 
AS A MOM: 

As a mom, seeing my son struggle to hear in his professional and personal life has been heartbreaking.

When Joshua was born I never knew how much he would have to endure in his life.  He started reconstruction surgery on his ears at age 5.   Some of his surgeries have included taking part of his rib and taking skin from his hips to recreate ears that looked somewhat normal.  His last surgery at age 17 was his most intense surgery because some of his bones in his face were not developed and his chin was growing backwards.  The doctor had to break his jaw and reconstruct his chin and put 4 plates and 26 screws in his face. 

When Josh was growing up I always wanted him to feel normal and know that he could accomplish whatever he wanted to do his life. I did not want him to have to rely on help from the government, this is why at age 19 when his benefits ended from the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps ended, we chose not to apply for SSI.  It really bothers me that if he had this help, his BAHA would be covered but since he works hard and has his own insurance it is not being covered.  If Josh had help from the government he would not be able to work a normal 40 hour a week job, own a new car or own a house. Josh is such a hard worker, with a good job, a new car and lives on his own but like most, still struggles to have extra money.


MY POEM FOR JOSH:

When Josh was 18, I wrote this poem for him:

MY SON

Eighteen years have gone by fast,
As I reflect on my past.

I was lying in my hospital bed,
With so many questions in my head.

Thinking of my baby down the hall,
Wondering if he could hear at all.

 I listened to the doctor that day,
As he proceeded to say,
Your son was born with a birth defect and no ears,
And I remember all of my tears.

My tiny bundle of joy
Was Joshua, my baby boy.

I watched him as he slept without a care,
Never knowing what he would have to bear.

The years flew by and by,
Without his ever asking why.

Other children were rude,
Saying words that were so crude.

Looking at him in a different way,
Telling him he could not play.

Wearing a hearing aid, braces and glasses,
Going to school to special classes.

So many surgeries he has been through,
To look a little like me and you.

He never once would complain
Of his setbacks or his pain.

He always wears a smile,
As he goes that extra mile.

He is so caring and so kind,
Treating others with a thoughtful mind.

I am so proud of my son,
And the battle he has won.

He has taught me so much about living each day,
And using what God gives us in a positive way.

Giving thanks for the privilege of being his mother,
Never wishing I had another.

Knowing that I am so blessed,
Because God gave me his very best.

I am proud of what Josh has had to overcome in his life and I am asking that if you are financially capable of making a donation to help Josh purchase this BAHA to help him hear it would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart and God Bless You!

Dorie Zaccardelli