Support For Champions

Olya is deaf. Her deafness was discovered in the age of 2. Now Olya is 17 years old, and she is three-time medalist of Ukraine Championship on swimming. Olya needs two powerful hearing aids, but they cost too much – girl’s parents can’t afford paying 35,600 UAH. We hope for support of philanthropists. Let's try to snatch the girl from the clutches of the silent world!

At the age of about two years, Olya was diagnosed with deafness. Her parents noticed that baby doesn’t reacts to sounds. Doctors assumed speech delay. And only after all procedures and a thorough examination was a disappointing diagnosis have been finally put: impaired hearing and speech of the 4th degree.
Various hearing aids were purchased for the girl, but they were not powerful enough. In spite of this, the parents continued to talk to the child. Thank to this, Olya quickly learned to read by lips.

Then there was a kindergarten and school for deaf children. Little pupil from the first classes proved she is successful and inquisitive child. Olya get many friends among classmates, and teachers admired her determination.

Despite the diagnosis, Olya leads an active lifestyle. Like all girls of her age, Olya is interested in needlework: cross stitching and bead weaving. Her works can be seen in many exhibitions. Also Olya seriously fascinated by swimming. At age of 16, she has been being already master of sports in swimming and three-time medalist of Ukraine Youth Championship on swimming for the deaf. Today her goal is to win a gold medal at the Deaflympics!

Of course, Olya doesn’t have free time to be bored, each minute of her time-table is busy with some activity. But very often girl wants to be just a kid, to climb under the mother’s "wing", to hear her sweet voice, to talk heart to heart with the father, to congratulate grandparents on the holiday and wish them health, to joke with friends. These are simple but such unattainable things for her personally. Of course, the girl does not give up, and still hoping for the best.
Olya needs two powerful hearing aids Oticon Safari 900, but girl’s parents can’t afford paying cost of 35,600 UAH. Sum simply prohibitive. Family hopes for support of philanthropists. Let's try to snatch the girl from the clutches of the silent world!

Name: Olya Puzinas, 17 years old

City: Dnipropetrovsk

Diagnosis: bilateral sensorineural deafness, IV degree