{"id":112736,"date":"2016-02-09T07:55:00","date_gmt":"2016-02-09T05:55:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/112736\/jordan-ready-to-explore-the-world\/"},"modified":"2016-02-09T12:39:37","modified_gmt":"2016-02-09T10:39:37","slug":"jordan-ready-to-explore-the-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/news-headlines\/2016\/02\/09\/jordan-ready-to-explore-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Jordan ready to explore the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cI can hardly believe that two months ago our little boy couldn\u2019t hear and now he mimics planes.\u201d<\/p>\n

These are the emotional words of Nicoleen van der Merwe, whose 16-month-old son Jordan has had his second cochlear implant, which was fitted in December and successfully switched on, on January 19.<\/p>

<\/div>\n
\"Nicoleen<\/a>
Nicoleen van der Merwe shows off her son Jordan\u2019s (16 months) cochlear implants. Jordan had the first device fitted in September and the second in December, both have since been switched on.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The GCN first met Jordan and his parents (Nicoleen and Dwyne) in August, last year and has followed his amazing journey since then.<\/p>\n

Jordan\u2019s first cochlear implant was fitted in September, and switched on in October.<\/p>

<\/div>\n

\u201cWe were just so happy that he was responding to sound,\u201d Nicoleen remembers.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe couldn\u2019t wait for our little boy to hear our voices.\u201d<\/p>\n

Nicoleen explained that Jordan is really doing well after his operations and has started mimicking blowing kisses including the hand gesture and sound.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is simply amazing, we are so happy,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The little boy has also started making a \u201cma\u201d sound, but the couple aren\u2019t sure if he\u2019s trying to say mamma or mimicking a sheep.<\/p>\n

\u201cAny new sound he makes is a great achievement, whether he calls me or a sheep, I don\u2019t care,\u201d Nicoleen said with a laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can be two rooms away and call out to him and he\u2019ll come and find us, I can\u2019t describe how happy that makes me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Nicoleen<\/a>
Nicoleen van der Merwe and her son Jordan share a tender moment.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The once fearful, insecure little boy now explores the house without his parents and is even interacting more at school.<\/p>\n

\u201cI often find myself just staring at him or calling his name just to see him respond, it makes me smile every time,\u201d said Nicoleen.<\/p>\n

The family will continue their fund-raising efforts this year in order to pay the final medical bills accumulated during Jordan\u2019s procedures, as well as to help with the maintenance of the devices themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt still makes me nervous that we may not be able to manage if something goes wrong with one of the devices,\u201d said Nicoleen.<\/p>\n

The family once again thanked the community for their support, \u201cYour support has meant the world to us and every little bit has helped us come closer to our goals,\u201d Nicoleen said.<\/p>\n

Related articles:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Help Jordan hear<\/a><\/p>\n

Jordan gets his first cochlear implant<\/a><\/p>\n

Sounds come alive for Jordan<\/a><\/p>\n

Golfers raise funds for Jordan<\/a><\/p>\n

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