Melissa O'Brien

Hello! My name is Melissa O'Brien. My husband and I have four children, 2 of which have a genetic bilateral progressive hearing loss. Our 16-year-old Kaysen failed his newborn screening but wasn't officially identified and aided until the age of two. He qualifies for a cochlear implant on his left side but has made the decision to hold off for now. Kaysen is a social butterfly, motivated, and creative. He spends most of his time doing sports videography, weight lifting, and golfing. Our 6-year-old Penelope also failed her newborn screening but received her first set of hearing aids at 4 months of age. Penelope is smart, determined, and resilient. She wears her heart on her sleeve and isn’t afraid to stand up for what is right. Having experience from Kaysen helped us navigate and advocate for early detection and support for Penelope. I love being a Parent Guide because I know just how important having information and support is to not only newly identified children but throughout the ever-changing needs of your child. This community is the most welcoming group of individuals I have ever met, and it is truly a blessing to be part of it!