Family must sell home to fund implant for deaf daughter

[Banjo]

Not true. In UK, New Zealand and Australia children are prioritized and get their CIs quickly under the socialised medical system. It's adults that have to wait years.

I'm not sure if I would sell the family home under such circumstances - I'd have to think about it. I agree as well that the expectations on the girl to be a success would be tremendous, which is a concern.

In Canada, children are prioritized and get their CIs quickly too as well.

 

[Awauphi]

i finally figured it out why the girl was denied for the ci as nothing cover for her? her family are not from USA. i reread the article again and realized they are from Central America called Trinidad and Tobago. That explains?? hmm..

 

[MetroGuy03]

i finally figured it out why the girl was denied for the ci as nothing cover for her? her family are not from USA. i reread the article again and realized they are from Central America called Trinidad and Tobago. That explains?? hmm..

No wonder... Maybe it could make big difference if they become American Citizens first then try again with their insurance to see if they will approve it?

 

[Awauphi]

No wonder... Maybe it could make big difference if they become American Citizens first then try again with their insurance to see if they will approve it?

yeah i saw the article mentioned that SS said No.. I was like why? then realized they are not approved so it all made sense to me now as they are from other country.. go figures..

 

[MetroGuy03]

yeah i saw the article mentioned that SS said No.. I was like why? then realized they are not approved so it all made sense to me now as they are from other country.. go figures..

Yeah. They chose to do it in hard way instead do it in simple way. :roll:

 

[Awauphi]

Yeah. They chose to do it in hard way instead do it in simple way. :roll:

yes and hwo did they come up with hte money to buy a house when its over 500,000 dollars value?

Shaida Ramotar says a Medicaid representative suggested selling her house to become eligible. The couple listed their home about a month ago. The house is listed for $500,000, and the couple hopes to net $75,000 cash from the sale.

unless they laundered in drug money? i dont want to know nothing how they get the money to buy house.. so many guess to why and why not? etc..

 

[MetroGuy03]

yes and hwo did they come up with hte money to buy a house when its over 500,000 dollars value? unless they laundered in drug money? i dont want to know nothing how they get the money to buy house.. so many guess to why and why not? etc..

That is really good question and excellent argument for that question.

 

[sara1981]

Broward Times - Family must sell home to fund implant for deaf daughter

Denied insurance coverage for their deaf daughter, a Hollywood couple is selling their home either to qualify for coverage or to get the cash needed for a surgical implant to help their little girl enjoy the world of hearing.

Thanks to the Alliance for Families with Deaf Children, 2-year-old Erika Ramotar, her two sisters, and her parents have all been learning American Sign Language.

“We feel like we can talk to Erika now, she understands us,” said Erika’s mother, Shaida Ramotar, who reads to Erika every night now.

Despite the progress over the past six months, Erika could be hearing some sounds and developing speech skills with a cochlear implant, which converts speech and environmental sounds into electrical signals. The device sends these signals to the hearing nerve.

Cochlear implants allow individuals who are profoundly hearing impaired to receive sound.

Although the family, originally from Trinidad and Tobago, has medical coverage through the father’s employer, coverage was denied for Erika because of her pre-existing condition. Social Security said no. The family doesn’t qualify for state-sponsored Medicaid or KidCare assistance, either.

Shaida Ramotar says a Medicaid representative suggested selling her house to become eligible. The couple listed their home about a month ago. The house is listed for $500,000, and the couple hopes to net $75,000 cash from the sale.

But the market is so slow that it could be a long time before the house is sold, the family says, and Erika needs the device as soon as possible.

“I just want Erika to learn to hear and to speak and to have the privileges that we all have,” Shaida Ramotar said.

Meanwhile, AFDC, which serves over 350 South Florida families, is asking the public for donations to help buy the badly needed cochlear implant for Erika. The device and the surgery to install it range from $40,000 to $100,000, not including follow-up therapy.

“This is a sad day for the American dream of home ownership when a family must put their home up for sale in order to receive a badly needed medical treatment for their little girl,” AFDC Executive Director Jennifer Jones said. “Without the implant, Erika will never hear her mother’s voice, let alone develop a normal speech pattern. We are also investigating whether the insurance denial may be a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act.”

Jones is urging kind-hearted individuals and companies to make checks payable to AFDC with a note that says, “for Erika” on the bottom left of the check.

Send donations to the Alliance for Families with Deaf Children, Erika’s Fund, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Suite 105, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.

Donations are tax deductible.

Founded in 2001, AFDC is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization that helps families with deaf children overcome barriers to successful communication. The organization also helps deaf and hard-of-hearing children achieve their highest levels of academic, social and personal success.

On average, fewer than 10 percent of hearing parents are able to use sign language to communicate with their deaf child, and only 1 percent of families who come to AFDC can communicate with their children through American Sign Language.

AFDC’s mission is to see deaf and hard of hearing children succeed through providing families with resources, services, and support.

The organization relies entirely on grants and donations to provide these badly needed services to South Florida families.

To donate or for more information, please call AFDC at 954-370-1145 or visit AFDC: Alliance for Families with Deaf Children.

that not right!!!!!!! but im sure need families wanted anythings than NOTHING! for godness sakes

 

[PDWinfree]

When Kids fully grown up

Aww man....

When CI Kids grew up to become an adult, he will tell his parent why did they sell the house?

He may wanna live in that house than CI???

 

[diehardbiker]

The real reason for this is the parent's failure to accept Deafness. Acceptance is the cheapest and most rewarding solution than selling house. RME!

 

[Liebling:-)))]

Originally Posted by R2D2
Not true. In UK, New Zealand and Australia children are prioritized and get their CIs quickly under the socialised medical system. It's adults that have to wait years.

I'm not sure if I would sell the family home under such circumstances - I'd have to think about it. I agree as well that the expectations on the girl to be a success would be tremendous, which is a concern.

In Canada, children are prioritized and get their CIs quickly too as well.

Yes it´s same here in Germany and other Europe countries as well.

Public Healthy Insurance (Healthcare) cover the cost for CI on the babies, toddlers, children and teenagers real fast than adult.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

i finally figured it out why the girl was denied for the ci as nothing cover for her? her family are not from USA. i reread the article again and realized they are from Central America called Trinidad and Tobago. That explains?? hmm..

But they live and work in America legal, don´t they? They work to pay healthy insurance, tax, etc in legal way... Right?

No matter either they are not US Citizen or not.

I am not German Citizen but health insurance cover the CI cost for me if I want to but I don´t want to. Why? Because I am legal immrigarant and have work permit.. I work to pay insurances and taxes in Germany. I have seen many legal immrigrants around in Germany to receive the equal rights as citizens except vote government (election).

Their daughter would get CI from healthy insurance if they live and work in Germany as legal immrigrants instead of get them to sell the house to cover the cost for CI.

 

[Liebling:-)))]

The real reason for this is the parent's failure to accept Deafness. Acceptance is the cheapest and most rewarding solution than selling house. RME!

*nodding agreement sadly*

It´s sad to see that the parents refused to accept the fact that their child is deaf and learn about deafness but busy to think about sell the house to implant their child with CI then she is able to speak and hear to be like them... *shake my head*

 

[Liebling:-)))]

I agree with most of posts that CI is not a life threatening... *shake my head*

 

[Liebling:-)))]

This is pretty sticky...

I understand the desire to have their child hear like them, but that's being selfish in a way.

There are other alternatives and not everything goes the way we expect them to be.

While the child may hear again, there might be financial hardships in the future in regards to the home and other issues.

Look at us in the past. Many of us grew up without cochlear implants and we're doing fine today.

*AMEN*

 

[Dennis S.]

While I don't agree selling a house is the best idea, if that's the ONLY WAY they could have afforded the implant, then that's what they need to do to get it.

It's not for you to judge them on whether or not it's NECESSARY to get the implant -- they thought it was important enough. They'll get another house -- but their daughter may not be as successful as the rest of you say you are without it, especially during this time when her hearing development is apparently crucial.

The family will be fine. The girl will be fine.

 

[Foxrac]

But they live and work in America legal, don´t they? They work to pay healthy insurance, tax, etc in legal way... Right?

No matter either they are not US Citizen or not.

I am not German Citizen but health insurance cover the CI cost for me if I want to but I don´t want to. Why? Because I am legal immrigarant and have work permit.. I work to pay insurances and taxes in Germany. I have seen many legal immrigrants around in Germany to receive the equal rights as citizens except vote government (election).

Their daughter would get CI from healthy insurance if they live and work in Germany as legal immrigrants instead of get them to sell the house to cover the cost for CI.

Really? I think that Germany offers free medical center, as universal health center.

In USA, medical center isn't free, you are required to have insurance or pay yourself in alot of money.

 

[Awauphi]

But they live and work in America legal, don´t they? They work to pay healthy insurance, tax, etc in legal way... Right?

No matter either they are not US Citizen or not.

I am not German Citizen but health insurance cover the CI cost for me if I want to but I don´t want to. Why? Because I am legal immrigarant and have work permit.. I work to pay insurances and taxes in Germany. I have seen many legal immrigrants around in Germany to receive the equal rights as citizens except vote government (election).

Their daughter would get CI from healthy insurance if they live and work in Germany as legal immrigrants instead of get them to sell the house to cover the cost for CI.

well yes most of the people that live and work in america legal way but some of they dont pay taxes so not sure about the family. who knows. like i said many guesses ... no telling what is and what is not.

 

[lilylover72]

I dont agree with her parent that they want sell their home for ci. It wont be fair for two sisters. They need learn to accpet their daugther's deafness.

 

[jillio]

Well, the cost of the implant is far less than the child would end up NOT earning in the marketplace were she deaf.. studies have confirmed this..

I applaud the act that her parents have done, but as we need to realize, there are more sides to the story and many unanswered questions.. how much equity was in their house? Are they able to get a good price for it? Are they planning on staying in the Miami/South Florida area? What was the reason for the denial of coverage?.. the list of questions could go on and on..

They could probably sell their home (if they found a buyer) for much more than what they bought it for especially if they bought it over 5 years ago! With the equity they would gain they would be able to get a CI for their daughter as well as potentially have money left over for a down payment on a new house... and since the housing market has tanked over the past year or so.. I would assume though may assume to much that they were unable to get refinanced to pull the equity OUT of their house...

Again.. these comments I have stated only leave more questions in their wake.. I just hope everything works out..

Caqn yougive me a clue as to where I might find those studies?