HAPC helped me Hear

Steffi D'Silva Tuesday 30th April 2019 09:23 EDT
 

It was 1998 and I was five years old when my mother, Sybil D’Silva, approached Help A Poor Child (HAPC) — a UK-based charity devoted to aiding families in need — to request funding for my cochlear implant surgery in London. I was unable to hear from birth and, at that time, cochlear implant surgery was almost unheard of in India, where we lived. 

Though it was difficult to obtain the necessary funds for the surgery, the then chairman of HAPC, Flavio Gracias, committed himself to this task and worked tirelessly to achieve our goal. My mother often recalls Flavio’s positivity and persistence. She often told me that, no matter how difficult it was, Flavio would always say, ‘We are getting there,’ which was extremely encouraging during those difficult times.

The efforts of Flavio and the entire HAPC team finally paid off when I had my cochlear implant surgery in London in June 1999. After six months of intensive speech therapy, we returned home to India. Six months later, we were back in London for a follow-up, and the hospital was pleased with the results.

I completed Year 7 in India, after which my mother decided to emigrate to Australia, where I completed High School and Year 12, and went on to achieve a Diploma in Commercial Cookery. I also completed a certified course in Business Administration. I initially secured a part-time catering job and was eventually offered a full-time position.A few years later, I began working as a Home Economics Teaching Assistant and now, there’s no looking back.

I married my classmate from India, Blake Da Costa, in December 2016 and I was fortunate to have Flavio and his wife, Bernie attend our wedding, and Flavio raising the toast too. Over the years, HAPC has helped many more deserving cases. Its ‘wheelchair programme’ provided immediate mobility to children, who were born immobile, one was born without hands and feet. 

I often wonder where life would have taken me had HAPC not stepped in to help me all those years ago. Thanks to HAPC, I can now stand tall and confident.

To get involved with HAPC call Telephone: 020 8905 2761 and Email: [email protected]


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