THE JOHN’S 

Her arrival was the joy of the entire family of the John’s, the talk of the neighbourhood, the smile on every well-wisher’s face. Her mother had been nick-named “the mother of the barracks”, as people had begun to refer to her boys as “the four soldiers”. But here was a replica of Mrs. John right in her arms, desiring the very first milk of the new world she had just stepped into.

Ada was her mother’s treasure, her father’s charm, her brothers’ idol. Everyone had their eyes keenly focused on her motion towards girlhood, as they all lent loving, helping hands to mum in seeing to her care – even little Chima, the youngest of the soldiers was hardly ever out of sight.

Soon, Ada’s development was nothing to doubt. The resemblance of her features – bright eyes, long fingers, near-pointed nose and stunning smile – to her mother’s was now apparent. However, one thing remained a puzzle – her lack of response to sound stimulus.

 

For the first four months, the parents seemed to wave this concern aside; but it was soon to become the singular factor that would arouse in the couple a wave of sorrow. After unfruitful consultations with more experienced family members and friends, the couple’s fears were confirmed by medical tests – Ada would likely live the rest of her life with hearing impairment.

Devastating! But true. Overwhelming! But permanent. This was strange to the lineages of both Ada’s parents. Indeed, no relative, past or present, ever had such an experience. But here was a reality that had to be faced; a bolt from the blue that could not be ignored.

The shock was never an easy one to take in. Both maternal and paternal grandparents attributed to it some spiritual undertone. Friends and family suggested every solution they  could possibly think of, most of it religious. Depression had begun to set in for mum. How would she raise a deaf child? How would her precious baby cope with other children in society who are normal? What would the career future of her treasure look like? Is there any hope of having a beautiful ending from this ‘tragic’ beginning?

But a question comes to mind, This innocent infant, has she any clue what her situation is, or what ache it  has brought the breasts that gave her suck?