YOU CAN MAKE A LASTING DIFFERENCE TODAY!

MEET BARAA

When Baraa was just 4 months old, his parents, speaking both Arabic and English at home, learned he had bilateral retinoblastoma, a rare type of eye cancer. Life quickly became a cycle of hospital visits, treatments, and prayers. By 15 months old,after completing 11 rounds of chemotherapy, Baraa had permanent hearing loss, adding another barrier to connecting with the world.

Initially, Baraa was clingy and cried when anyone outside of his family approached. HEAR Wisconsin began working with him at 16 months old, providing specialized hearing-loss services and support for language development. Through home visits, therapy sessions, Toddler Communication Group sessions, and close collaboration with his parents, Baraa gradually learned to trust, listen, speak, and engage with those around him.

Now three years old, Baraa greets friends by name, sings, plays, and participates fully in life. His hearing aids are more than devices, they are lifelines, helping him experience voices, laughter, and music. With hearing-loss-specific intervention and your support, children like Baraa can truly find their voice.

Baraa’s smile lights up the room as he joins his friends at HEAR Wisconsin’s Toddler Communication Group. Together, they sing, play, and share joyful greetings that have become part of his world. A milestone made possible by the hearing-loss-specific intervention provided by our Kellogg Child & Family Program.