A milestone in a Dundee toddler’s new life in the hearing world was an emotional celebration for his family.
Oliver Bosch, who only five months ago had pioneering brain surgery to allow him to hear, turned two last week and enjoyed a party with his mum Jemma, dad Ben and sister Darcey, 6.
As he was born without auditory nerves, a brain stem implant in Verona, Italy, was his family’s only hope for Oliver starting school with hearing.
The family started a campaign to raise the £60,000 they needed by his second birthday, but people’s generosity helped them smash their target by five months, allowing Oliver to spend his big day at home with his family.
Jemma said: “We are really pleased with his progress. We have seen a big change and he is making more noises and turning to more noises.
“He is now recognising and copying different sounds. He used to just cry for food but now he makes an ‘mmmm’ noise because that’s what we do.
“He can also copy car noises. A month ago he wouldn’t have done that. He’s like a different baby when he puts his implant in so he obviously notices the difference it makes.
“He shouts for it in the morning and if you are not quick enough he taps his head where it goes.
“It has been a really long year with all we have had to do. The main hurdle was getting his surgery before he was two.”
Oliver’s first two years have been challenging with tests, treatments and recovery from major surgery, but the family still have a way to go.
Next month Oliver will return to Verona where he could have the last two of the 12 electrodes fitted deep inside his brain to perform the role of auditory nerves switched on.
After this he will have to return several times a year for the next two years for fine tuning of the device and check-ups.
An initial appointment with a specialist speech therapist in London proved encouraging and Oliver will now travel down for 10 sessions every second week between September and December.
His family are now looking forward to watching his continuing progress and are hoping it won’t be too long before he can say his first word.
Jemma said: “This is just the start of another journey for Oliver. A couple of months ago I had a bit of a low day thinking about other children saying their first words and wondering when Oliver is going to say his.
“It has been such a tough year and Darcey is desperate to be able to speak to him. I know it will come now, but sometimes I wish I could just fast forward.
“Hopefully by the time he is five he will have caught up with other children his age.”
Oliver has other health issues and the family recently found out that due to a slight curve in his back he will have to wear a back brace throughout childhood.
Eventually the condition will require surgery but not until he has grown. Jemma said the family are very grateful for people’s support, which has helped them get to this stage.
Their fundraising efforts are set to continue to pay for the speech therapy trips as well as return journeys to Verona every couple of months.
Oliver’s fundraising Facebook page where they post their latest events and progress updates, now has more than 800 likes, and the tot has his own website at www.oliverboschappeal.org, where people can donate to his cause.