By Annette Campbell
When tiny premature twins Jackson and Samantha Tait were born at only 24 weeks and four days, it was a miracle they even survived.
Then, only two days before they were allowed home from hospital — more than three months after their dramatic birth — they were both diagnosed as being profoundly deaf.
“We’d been so excited and happy they were finally coming home — then we were hit with that,” says their mum, Francine. “We were devastated. But just look at them now!”
In the last four years, this determined duo has progressed in leaps and bounds, proving that nothing is impossible.
“Samantha actually regained her hearing entirely!” Francine says. “We’re told that’s quite rare and most probably due to maturation.”
Francine and her husband, Stephen, 44, an IT manager, were hoping and praying that Jackson would follow his sister’s example. But he has remained profoundly deaf — although the cochlear implant he received in March 2001 means he can now communicate clearly and access all sounds.
Despite the substantial hurdles they’ve already overcome, Jackson and Samantha are starting school next year.
“They’re ready!” says Francine proudly. “They’ll be going to a mainstream school here in Sydney and they’re so excited already! Jackson appears to have an auditory processing disorder but should cope well with support.”
Looking back to the time when they first brought their babies home, Francine and Stephen can hardly believe how they’ve thrived.
“Our neonatalogist had warned us that the antibiotics used to control their life-threatening lung infections would probably cause deafness,” Francine explains. “Even so, we were shocked when it happened.”
But the Taits came to terms with the diagnosis, and set about learning all they could about hearing loss and the options available for their babies — such as auditory-verbal therapy, the possibility of signing, hearing aids and cochlear implants.
When they were seven months old, Jackson and Samantha were enrolled at The Shepherd Centre — a Sydney-based early intervention service for hearing-impaired children and their families.
“Hardly a day went by that we didn’t have appointments for them — either at the Shepherd Centre or with other medical specialists,” says Francine.
“Samantha’s hearing was gradual, and she was almost one when her hearing tested within normal limits. Now she can hear as well as anyone.
“We think they’re both amazing kids. We had a difficult time when they were first diagnosed, but they’ve come so far. Not a day goes by when we don’t think how lucky we are.”
You can contact The Shepherd Centre on 1800 020 030, or visit their website for more information www.shepherdcentre.usyd.edu.au
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