Auction to raise funds for child to hear
BROADACRES - On 23 August an auction was held in Broadacres shopping centre to raise funds for Payton Peters' cochlear implant surgery.
The auction was carried out in the shopping centre’s parking lot. Friends, family members and the community were out in full force to support Payton’s struggle. There was a raffle, with each ticket costing R300, and according to Di Griffith, the event organiser, the auction has assisted greatly and raised some funds to tackle some of the medical bills.
Payton has continued to be a joyful and rambunctious little girl despite her disability. Payton, who is only two years old, was diagnosed with profound bilateral hearing loss earlier in the year. After many unsuccessful attempts with hearing aids, Payton was approved for cochlear implant surgery on 21 July.
According to her mother, Michelle Van Zyl, the transplant has given Payton another chance in life and allowed her to experience all of life’s opportunities that we take for granted.The cochlear implants have been surgically implanted and have allowed the little girl to hear again.
However, there are still many challenges. “Post-operation is incredibly physically taxing on Payton,” said Van Zyl. She has been slowly introduced to sounds and noises around her and will be going under extensive testing operations and check-ups.
The Peter’s family and their team have raised funds for Payton’s surgery for months, according to Griffith, “The surgery amounted to R600 000, medical aid has not covered any of the cost and the family is faced with paying all of the medical bills.” The family are still left with paying R400 000.
Additionally Payton’s parents are faced with after surgery check-ups to ensure Payton is coping well with her new implants. According to Payton’s father, Michael Peters, this has been a costly process, however it’s an “unselfish gift” that has been given to Payton.
The sound processors, which are the outer devices that connect magnetically to Payton’s inner ear, are still needed. Payton’s team have been trying to raise money to cover the cost for the devices.
According to Van Zyl, the money raised at the auction has greatly assisted and helped the family with the mammoth medical bills.
