My name is Yvette Gaines. I am a single mother of five sons, ages 27-9. It is my hope to collect a generous donation of $1600.00 to cover the deductible of a Cochlear Implant for my youngest son, Benoit Gaines who is nine years old.
Benoit has had an amazing journey in life! He was born with several birth defects which resulted in him becoming deaf. He was born on December 16, 2005 after nine days he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR) for which he received medication which repaired several holes in his heart but led to his deafness.
At seventeen days old, Benoit was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma cancer. Out of the two health concerns, the heart issue needed to be addressed first. He had his first heart surgery one day after Christmas in 2005 and his final eight hour heart repair when he was five months old, which led to a healthy heart! Luckily, Benoit had normal gross motor function and continued to thrive every day.
By the time he was seventeen months old his cancer went from Stage I to Stage IV and we were finally able to address it. He was given a projected treatment plan of three months. However, after the three months tests confirmed that the cancer still existed and was aggressive. A new treatment plan was devised, and after six months of chemotherapy the cancer was gone.
After Eight years of treatment Benoit’s cancer was in remission, it was time to press on and address his hearing loss! When Benoit turned four months I reached out and connected with resources. Speech Pathologists began visiting my home giving knowledge and support to the family as a whole on how to communicate with Benoit. By six months old, I began to teach him simple words in Sign Language such as eat, yes and no.
At twenty-eight months, Benoit completed his chemotherapy and I placed him in an Early Education Child Developmental Program to allow him to reach more developmental milestones (social, emotional, language and communication, cognitive, movement and physical). This was a great environment for him. He grew and developed like every other child, always dancing, playing and making friends, a true busy bee with a big smile on his face.
In March 2008 Benoit received his first Cochlear Implant in his left ear. Because of several tumors including one in the right ear, I was advised not to implant him in both ears as it could result in a possible false reading during CT-scans. Thirty days after Benoit was implanted he heard sound for the very first time!
I will never forget that moment. Benoit was standing in front of a table playing with a puzzle, the audiologist turned on his implant and he began to shake and run to his brother, signing “Up! Up! UP! He wanted to be picked up. He sat quietly in his brother’s lap trembling with his head pressed on his brother chest. Needless to say Benoit did not want to cooperate any further in setting the mapping of his implant. The Audiologist found a safe volume for him and sent us on our way.
I remember when we got into the car we did not make a sound. (No talking, music and the windows were completely closed). It was a hot ride back to San Francisco. It truly was a bittersweet moment.
It is now 2015 and Benoit is in the third grade, he has grown beautifully with his repaired heart and bionic ear. He attends a school that instructs him in total communication, (Signing & talking at the same time.) Benoit is now eligible for an upgrade to a new cochlear implant. The insurance through my job informed me that my share of cost will be $1600.00.
I have been employed with this agency for almost twenty two years and I have never experienced such an insurmountable (out of pocket) medical cost. I am currently paying $1100.00 per month for healthcare just to cover myself and my three youngest children. My eldest two work and attend college.
Because Benoit is a typical growing boy who is rough and tough, his implant is hanging by a few wires (literally). I am concerned because he misses out on a lot of conversation which in turn affects his learning in school as well as a safety issue. Despite the challenges we have faced we stay encouraged because we have a great support team of doctor’s, audiologist, and school staff.
Benoit came into this world as my hero and miracle baby. My family and I know there are people filled with generosity and good will who would like to see Benoit achieve his full potential. Any donation you can provide will be greatly appreciated. I would like to thank you in advance for your consideration.
-Yvette Gaines
Benoit has had an amazing journey in life! He was born with several birth defects which resulted in him becoming deaf. He was born on December 16, 2005 after nine days he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return (TAPVR) for which he received medication which repaired several holes in his heart but led to his deafness.
At seventeen days old, Benoit was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma cancer. Out of the two health concerns, the heart issue needed to be addressed first. He had his first heart surgery one day after Christmas in 2005 and his final eight hour heart repair when he was five months old, which led to a healthy heart! Luckily, Benoit had normal gross motor function and continued to thrive every day.
By the time he was seventeen months old his cancer went from Stage I to Stage IV and we were finally able to address it. He was given a projected treatment plan of three months. However, after the three months tests confirmed that the cancer still existed and was aggressive. A new treatment plan was devised, and after six months of chemotherapy the cancer was gone.
After Eight years of treatment Benoit’s cancer was in remission, it was time to press on and address his hearing loss! When Benoit turned four months I reached out and connected with resources. Speech Pathologists began visiting my home giving knowledge and support to the family as a whole on how to communicate with Benoit. By six months old, I began to teach him simple words in Sign Language such as eat, yes and no.
At twenty-eight months, Benoit completed his chemotherapy and I placed him in an Early Education Child Developmental Program to allow him to reach more developmental milestones (social, emotional, language and communication, cognitive, movement and physical). This was a great environment for him. He grew and developed like every other child, always dancing, playing and making friends, a true busy bee with a big smile on his face.
In March 2008 Benoit received his first Cochlear Implant in his left ear. Because of several tumors including one in the right ear, I was advised not to implant him in both ears as it could result in a possible false reading during CT-scans. Thirty days after Benoit was implanted he heard sound for the very first time!
I will never forget that moment. Benoit was standing in front of a table playing with a puzzle, the audiologist turned on his implant and he began to shake and run to his brother, signing “Up! Up! UP! He wanted to be picked up. He sat quietly in his brother’s lap trembling with his head pressed on his brother chest. Needless to say Benoit did not want to cooperate any further in setting the mapping of his implant. The Audiologist found a safe volume for him and sent us on our way.
I remember when we got into the car we did not make a sound. (No talking, music and the windows were completely closed). It was a hot ride back to San Francisco. It truly was a bittersweet moment.
It is now 2015 and Benoit is in the third grade, he has grown beautifully with his repaired heart and bionic ear. He attends a school that instructs him in total communication, (Signing & talking at the same time.) Benoit is now eligible for an upgrade to a new cochlear implant. The insurance through my job informed me that my share of cost will be $1600.00.
I have been employed with this agency for almost twenty two years and I have never experienced such an insurmountable (out of pocket) medical cost. I am currently paying $1100.00 per month for healthcare just to cover myself and my three youngest children. My eldest two work and attend college.
Because Benoit is a typical growing boy who is rough and tough, his implant is hanging by a few wires (literally). I am concerned because he misses out on a lot of conversation which in turn affects his learning in school as well as a safety issue. Despite the challenges we have faced we stay encouraged because we have a great support team of doctor’s, audiologist, and school staff.
Benoit came into this world as my hero and miracle baby. My family and I know there are people filled with generosity and good will who would like to see Benoit achieve his full potential. Any donation you can provide will be greatly appreciated. I would like to thank you in advance for your consideration.
-Yvette Gaines