Earlier this month, Thuli, Linda, and Kristin spent a special morning at Tygerberg Hospital, visiting the Cochlear Implant Unit and meeting some of the many patients who have benefited from the Foundation’s long-standing support.
While this initiative sits outside of the Foundation’s current strategic focus, it continues to hold great meaning and has had an undeniable, lasting impact. Over the years, the Foundation’s funding of cochlear implant devices has enabled life-changing surgeries for those who would otherwise not have had access to this transformative technology.
During the visit, recipients shared moving stories of how their lives have changed – from hearing their loved ones for the first time to returning to work, school, and social life with renewed confidence. The morning was filled with gratitude, laughter, and a deep appreciation for the opportunities that hearing has brought.
A particularly touching moment came through a video message from Kyle, the very first cochlear implant recipient funded by the Foundation. Many will remember Kyle’s story, which first appeared in a newspaper article years ago. His plea for help caught the attention of trustee Ron Paterson, who was so moved that he funded Kyle’s device – an act of compassion that became the spark for what is now a sustained program of support.
Since that first implant, more than 150 patients – from infants as young as three months old to older adults – have regained their hearing through this program. The Foundation also funds the vital services of a speech therapist, who supports recipients as they adapt to their new hearing and undergo rehabilitation to develop or recover spoken communication skills.
Although outside the Foundation’s current strategic portfolio, the Cochlear Implant Unit partnership continues to demonstrate the profound and personal impact that targeted support can have. The visit to Tygerberg was a heartfelt reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful outcomes begin with a single story and the courage to listen.
