Help Kaley Hear

 The music you hear playing in the background is Kaley Switzer singing "Shine." She's an amazingly talented little girl with single-sided deafness. Please help her to hear with both ears.

I am writing on behalf of Kaley Switzer. Kaley Joy Switzer was born in Austin, Texas on December 22, 1997, and came home in a Christmas stocking on Christmas Eve.  Her parents had been told that they would not be able to have any more children, so their daughter Kaley was truly a miracle. However with all the joy of bringing home this new baby they were given some devastating news. Kaley had been born without her right ear, and they were told that there was a possibility that Kaley was deaf. After testing was done, it was discovered that Kaley had normal hearing in her left ear but would not be able to hear from her right side, since there was no ear canal.

After visiting several specialists, Kaley’s parents decided to proceed with an ear reconstruction, led by renowned specialist, Dr Fred Aguilar from Houston, Texas. To begin the process, an MRI was administered when Kaley was two years of age. This resulted in the fact that creating an ear canal would not be an option. Although Kaley had an ear drum on that side, the surgery would require extensive work near her facial nerves, which could lead to facial paralysis. At age six, Kaley had her first surgery to begin ear reconstruction. This surgery was a traumatic one because it required harvesting of cartilage from the ribs. Cartilage was taken from ribs six, seven, and eight and sculpted to form the ear.

Now, after several surgeries, Kaley’s ear is still not what one might consider “normal” looking, and therefore she needs additional surgeries to complete the process. Now, Kaley is a candidate for the BAHA implant, which might possibly allow her to hear in stereo for the first time. This procedure is not covered by insurance, so WE NEED YOUR HELP TO MAKE IT HAPPEN!

We are planning a silent auction to raise the funds needed for completion of her ear reconstruction and implant. Any item to auction or monetary contribution you could make would truly help this special little girl, so please send your donations to the address above. We want to give Kaley every opportunity to pursue her dreams with confidence, to hear the music, and with your help she will!

We thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Help Kaley Hear the Music

www.helpkaleyhear.webs.com

www.youtube.com/user/HelpKaleyHear