Hearing-impaired Tondo woman seeks assistance

MANILA, Philippines—Evelyn Baira became hearing impaired in 2009 after accidentally damaging her right eardrum while cleaning her ear with a cotton bud stick. She first felt a swelling during the first few days after the accident, until the infection worsened and affected her auditory system.

Citing doctors’ findings at the Philippine General Hospital, she said the infection had also affected her liver and spleen. “I have difficulty communicating with the people around me. It causes me so much embarrassment. I can talk but I cannot hear anything,” Baira said.

Wearing a hearing aid was deemed no longer advisable and PGH doctors instead recommended cochlear implant surgery. The 41-year-old former migrant worker and German Embassy employee is appealing for financial assistance to undergo the P630,000 operation hopefully on April 16 at PGH.

Single, currently unemployed due to her disability and relying heavily on a friend to look after her septuagenarian father, the Tondo, Manila, resident has already raised P260,000 with the help of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and the Office of the Vice President.

Baira hopes Inquirer readers can help her raise the rest of the amount. Donors can reach her at 09214041764 and send assistance through BDO bank account 3690156305 under the name of her friend, May S. Cabanos.—Santiago R. Alcantara