When Svetlana first joined the Club we sponsor in St Petersburg for young deaf children and their parents in 2021, she came with her daughter Olya, who was born with hearing loss associated with Waardenburg syndrome. Olya received cochlear implants, flourished with support, and is now eight years old. She speaks confidently, has successfully completed her first year at a mainstream school, and still enjoys visiting the Club during school holidays.
This year, Svetlana returned—but this time with her baby son, Kolya. Despite genetic testing before his birth, Kolya was also born with Waardenburg syndrome and hearing loss. At just eight months old, he joined the Club and began his own journey.
Week by week, Kolya is discovering the world of sound. With his cochlear implants, he is learning to respond to voices, search for where sounds come from, imitate actions with musical instruments, and experiment with his first vocal sounds. He is becoming more curious, more engaged, and more confident in exploring the world around him.
For Svetlana, the Club offers more than professional guidance—it provides encouragement from other parents who understand her family’s journey. She celebrates every new achievement with Kolya, just as she once did with Olya, proving that with the right support, children with hearing loss can thrive.
This family’s story is a powerful reminder that early intervention changes lives—not only for children, but for their parents too.
