On the 22nd of December 2010, at 8 weeks old, my younger son was diagnosed as profoundly deaf in both ears (not a date we will forget in a hurry).
 
As you can imagine this was difficult news to take on board and understand. At first the natural reaction is "why him" and then as a parent you start to worry about what their future holds. The "why" has been subsequently explained through the clinical evidence and the genetic lottery we all take part in at conception.

The question of the future is all together a wider and more worrying question. At the time as a family it was difficult to see beyond the next week, but then our excellent Teacher of the Deaf - Alison - recommended a small and vital charity DELTA.
 
DELTA support a Natural Aural approach which for Dewi is perfect. The approach concentrates on maximising the residual hearing children and young adults have, through the best use of technology. By exploiting this a child's development can be monitored and supported relative to the normal stages. The emphasis here is to ensure a natural environment is maintained, including a mainstream education with his hearing big brother.
 
DELTA also provide an amazing service to the parents of deaf children. Rhi and I had both had very little exposure to any level of deafness so it was overwhelming at first. DELTA offered us a level of support and information which broke down the unknowns and helped to remove our fears around Dewi's future. this information sharing is on going and changes focus as your child develops.
 
To support DELTA, following on from cycling Clock to Rock 3 years ago (1530miles in 15 days) and cycling Edinburgh to London (400miles in 2 days), a group of friends are attempting to complete an Ironman.

Now I always like a twist with my events so to spice things up the final leg is going to be the 2015 Virgin London Marathon. We have secured 2 places for the marathon so myself and Pete Gray will be doing all three events:

2.4mile swim, 112mile cycle & marathon run.

We will be supported by a great team of cyclists for the testing and energy sapping 112 mile cycle. The swim will start at the Didcot Wave swimming pool - thanks to their excellent team headed by Josh Roper.

The outline plan for the event is below:

- 22:00 25th April 2015, Didcot Wave : Swim
 
- 00:00 26th April 2015, Didcot Wave - Blackheath : Cycle
 
- 10:00 26th April 2015, Blackheath - The Mall : Run 

Cyclists: http://www.strava.com/routes/1034674
- Kevin Beament
- Rhys Sharp
- Aaron Batterby (also doing the swim....)
- Pete Gray
- James Chadney
- Ashley Amies
- Duncan Atkins
- Ben Morgan
- Joe Middleton
- Lester Morgan
- James Silvey