Cochlear Implant for Habibi

Journalist : Metta Wulandari, Photographer : Metta Wulandari

Rita Malia Widjaja, a Tzu Chi He Qi Tangerang volunteer who accompanied Habibi's family was very happy to see Habibi's progress when he visited his rented house. The five-year-old did not hesitate to high-five and greeted Rita very well, according to his mother's instructions.

Six years ago, a wonderful news entered the small family of Rahmat Wahyudi and Fifi Kartika when Fifi's pregnancy test showed positive which meant she was pregnant. Three weeks into her pregnancy when they checked with the obstetrician, there was an issue. Behind the happy news, Fifi was actually not entirely happy. She kept her own anxiety because shortly before finding out she was pregnant; she was diagnosed with the rubella virus.

The rubella virus is well-known to be dangerous for pregnant women. Various studies have shown that the rubella virus in pregnant women can increase the risk of birth defects and complications in pregnancy. Fifi was fully aware of that. She diligently searched for information from various sites and actively consulted with her obstetrician. And from there, she was sure to maintain the pregnancy.

According to her husband, Rahmat Wahyudi, Fifi is the type of person who is optimistic and always thinks positively. She always prays that the blessings of health will always be abundant on the fetus she is carrying, especially since this is her first child. "I don't want to think about various things because I'm afraid of stress," said Fifi, "just enjoy the process."

But the fact that the study was true was clinically proven. When Habibi Dirgantara Wahyudi, Fifi's baby was born, he was diagnosed with a cataract in his left eye. In Habibi's heart there was also a blood flow disorder that made him congested. Habibi's hearing was also affected.

Habibi has gone through various treatments since he was a baby. At the age of 4 months, cataract surgery was performed. Then at the age of 2.5 years lens implantation was also carried out. For heart conditions, doctors continued to monitor and state that it was normal and there has been no heart leakage since Habibi was 3 years old. Meanwhile, for his hearing, the family continues to strive for Habibi to recover.

Rita Malia Widjaja visited Rahmat Wahyudi and Fifi Kartika's rented house in Ciledug, Tangerang. She brought gifts as support for the family.

Habibi had used a hearing aid which had been changed twice due to the adjustment of Habibi's hearing ear drums, which was getting thinner. Until finally hearing aids couldn't reach him anymore, last February 2020. The doctor said the most effective way was to install a cochlear implant considering that Habibi was 5 years old at that time, which felt like he had passed the deadline to pursue the golden age (3 years limit). So, the sooner it is done, the better the results.

However the surgery expenses of a pair of cochlear implants is not like the price of a toy car. The total cost can reach up to 300 million rupiah for a pair of implants. The price is more like the price of a real car with sophisticated technology. With such an exorbitant price, Rahmat and Fifi reluctantly still have dreams in their mind, but they continue to hope and strive.

The main family discusses with the entire big family to find a way out: joining the cochlear implant group to grasp important information, venturing to order implants, paying with a down payment from the income of the family. Fifi didn’t know when she would be able to pay off the implant payment, because her family was also from a middle-class family. But at that time, she was sure there would be sustenance.

"We don't want him to blame his parents because of his condition. We want to be responsible parents for Habibi. I don't want Habibi to regret having parents like us one day. I don't want him to say, 'This is because my mother didn't try to help me, didn't try to heal me'. I don't want to be judged in his head like that. I want Habibi to know that his parents have tried their best,” said Fifi.

The operation to install a cochlear implant for Habibi was carried out on August 10, 2021. Two weeks later, August 28, 2021, the implant was activated. The result was very advantageous.

January 2021, Fifi found out about Tzu Chi's information because a group of friends asked when the Habibi implant would be installed. At that time, Fifi replied weakly, “Because the payment has not been paid off, Habibi has not been able to undergo implant installation.” But when there was information about the Tzu Chi Foundation, she seemed to be hopeful and excited again.

"I feel that what I dream of for Habibi, providing a solution for Habibi, is gradually coming true," said Fifi. "Bismillah, hopefully Habibi's luck will come through Tzu Chi," said Fifi at that time. And the prayers and patience of the parents were answered. Receiving news via telephone by the charity staff of the Buddha Tzu Chi Indonesia Foundation, Fifi immediately bowed in gratitude on the floor. She cried as she hugged her only child.

His son, Habibi Dirgantara Wahyudi, was declared to have passed the survey and received assistance for the installation of a cochlear implant. Countless words of alhamdulillah were mentioned by Fifi after receiving the good news.

The blessing of never giving up for 5 years taking care of Habibi with love and patience is indeed sweet for Fifi. She never regretted deciding to conceive Habibi, nor did she regret giving birth to a special child. One of the principles she holds in life is that life must go on. "Can't go back. Once you go forward, you move on. Don't look back anymore. Because if you really want to go back, why not from the start. Why only now?”

The operation to install a cochlear implant for Habibi was carried out on August 10, 2021. Two weeks later, August 28, 2021, the implant was activated. As a result, Habibi blushed, he saw his mother's expression, and then covered his face. He could hear new noises around him. Meanwhile, Fifi was crying with tears, unable to contain her happiness.

"Millions thanks to Tzu Chi, to donors who have helped realize our, our family’s and Habibie’s dream," said Fifi, "so far Habibi's response is good like this and gradually hopefully he can talk because the process is through therapy. We are also very happy and all the donors are very welcoming. At first, we thought about how to get the rest of this shortfall, but everything was covered. We are very happy.”

After two weeks after the implant was switched on, Habibi could turn his head when he heard a voice behind him. He had also understood the brief instructions given by his mother. The focus also increases. In addition, Habibi's body metabolism seemed to be improving, marked by weight that continues to increase according to the target given by the doctor.

In the future, Habibi and his family will still have to regularly undergo the hearing therapy which will be followed by the speech therapy to match the listening and speaking abilities according to the children's developmental milstones.

"Hopefully Habibi will be a child who can be useful for everyone. Habibi can be what he is today because of the help of good people. So Habibi must also be kind to everyone. Hopefully in the future, when Habibi will be an adult and successful, he can help people too. Because he knows how it feels to be helped by people,” said Fifi praying for her first child.

Rita Malia Widjaja, a Tzu Chi He Qi Tangerang volunteer who accompanied Habibi's family was very happy to see Habibi's progress when she visited their rented house. The five-year-old did not hesitate to high-five and greeted Rita very well following his mother's instructions.

"Now he is very cheerful, before he was just silent. It's great to see Habibi's development grow very fast," said Rita. “After this implant he seems very happy with his new world. Anyway, I'm happy," she added.

Rita also gives a thumbs up to her parents and the whole family who sent their best support for Habibi's healing, development, and future. "As the name implies, Habibi Dirgantara Wahyudi, we hope that in the future Habibi will become an extraordinary child, become great for the community," said Rita wishfully.

Translator: Vissia Budi Apriliana, Sweete (Tzu Chi School)