{"id":193,"date":"2019-06-19T09:49:33","date_gmt":"2019-06-19T09:49:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mymedicplus.com\/news\/?p=193"},"modified":"2021-03-31T00:52:25","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T19:22:25","slug":"lake-cathies-willow-powick-returns-home-after-first-ear-surgery","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mymedicplus.com\/blog\/lake-cathies-willow-powick-returns-home-after-first-ear-surgery\/","title":{"rendered":"Lake Cathie’s Willow Powick returns home after first ear surgery"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Source: camdencourier.com.au<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lake Cathie’s Willow Powick has heard the sound \nof the ocean for the first time after undergoing her first successful \nsurgery in a bid to hear. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The \nfive-year-old recently returned home from America with her mum and \nsister, after undergoing the first of two life-changing surgeries on her\n ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willow has a rare hearing condition called Atresia, meaning she was born with no ear canals in both ears.
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Willow’s mum Skye said she was thrilled when her daughter ran away after hearing a wave break on the shore behind her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Usually I’m yelling and waving my arms to get her to look out,” she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“Today Willow heard the sound of the ocean for the first time.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willow is wearing her power hearing aid, as her second ear still requires the reconstructive surgery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skye said Willow’s hearing after the right ear canal operation is very sharp.
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“We can only imagine the improvement after her second ear is also operated on,” she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Willow’s next surgery in America is scheduled to take place on October 1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\n first operation in April was $55,000. The community helped to raise \nclose to $30,000 for the surgery through fundraising events and \ndonations.
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Willow’s second surgery in October will also cost $55,000.
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Members\n of the community are invited to attend a number of upcoming fundraisers\n to help raise money for Willow’s medical expenses and accommodation \ncosts.
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There is a Adventure for Willow (car rally\/scavenger hunt) on August 3, a Paint for Willow (painting event) on August 18 and a Cruise for Willow (sunset cruise) in September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information about the upcoming fundraisers or to follow Willow’s journey please visit the Wish for Willow Facebook page. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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