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0:00:36 > 0:00:41- I was 15 and at school - when, as a joke, someone said...
0:00:41 > 0:00:44- .."Enlli's pregnant, - blah-blah-blah."
0:00:44 > 0:00:48- The rumour quickly spread - and my cousin found out.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- She phoned me and said, - "I want to see you."
0:00:51 > 0:00:52- I said, "OK."
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- She said, - "I've heard you're pregnant."
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- So I said, "No, it was only a joke."
0:00:58 > 0:01:01- I suspected I was but I wasn't sure.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05- I started to panic and she said, - "Let me see your belly."
0:01:05 > 0:01:09- So I showed her my belly - and she took me to the surgery.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12- When I found out I was pregnant...
0:01:12 > 0:01:15- ..I'd been with Gwenno's father - for about a year.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19- The relationship - was moving so quickly.
0:01:20 > 0:01:25- Caryl, - one of my closest friends, and I...
0:01:25 > 0:01:27- ..went to the surgery...
0:01:28 > 0:01:31- ..and the doctor's face - said it all.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34- I remember that I started crying...
0:01:35 > 0:01:37- ..because I didn't know what to do.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41- It felt as if - my life had grounded to a halt.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46- I don't want to dwell on that - feeling because it was horrible.
0:01:46 > 0:01:52- The worst bit - was having to tell Mam and Dad.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54- I couldn't do it myself.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58- I asked my aunt because she was the - one who did the test in the surgery.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03- I remember saying, "You have to - help me because I can't do this."
0:02:03 > 0:02:07- So we went to her house that night - and Mam's face fell.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12- I remember the moment Sandra - told me that Enlli was pregnant.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16- Sometimes people's comments - don't register.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21- I remember people telling me - but I refused to believe them.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23- It just didn't sink in.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26- She had to tell me straight.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29- I thought, "We can't have this.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- "This isn't happening. - She's imagining it."
0:02:32 > 0:02:36- She said, "No, no, she's - six and a half months pregnant."
0:02:36 > 0:02:40- She was 15 and I thought it was - the end of the world at that time.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43- Mam had expectations...
0:02:43 > 0:02:45- ..and plans for me.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48- It was a shock for them.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52- I remember Dad going to his room.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- The following morning - he came down and gave me a hug.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58- He said, "We'll get through this."
0:02:58 > 0:03:01- It broke my heart - hearing Dad say that.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17- Taid, indeed! - Yes, I'm a grandfather.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20- I still can't believe it, - to be honest.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22- I think I'm too young.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24- Being a grandfather is nice...
0:03:25 > 0:03:27- ..because we can give them back.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32- We don't have to feed them, - change nappies or put them to bed.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39- It's lovely having a little one - running around at home again.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49- Do you remember - the first day at school...
0:03:49 > 0:03:51- ..after finding out - you were pregnant?
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- Yes, they were all staring at me - and whispering.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- We thought it was a secret - but everybody knew.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00- Blaenau Ffestiniog is a small place.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02- Blaenau Ffestiniog is a small place.- - Everyone at school knew.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07- It was like walking through...
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- ..a pack of vultures - that hadn't eaten for ages.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15- They were all staring at me. - It was an isolating experience.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18- Gwenno? Gwenno?
0:04:18 > 0:04:20- Do you want to play with this?
0:04:20 > 0:04:22- Wow!
0:04:25 > 0:04:27- Well done!
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- The day Gwenno was born...
0:04:29 > 0:04:33- ..was very special - she was tiny.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- She weighed only 6 pounds, 1 ounce.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- We were a large family - before Gwenno's arrival.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46- Enlli is one of four children. - Owain in the eldest.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48- He's 21 years old...
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- ..and in his second year - at Cardiff University.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55- Enlli's 19.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00- Aeron is 15 years old...
0:05:00 > 0:05:03- ..and the youngest, Lili, - is 14 years old.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- It was a busy household...
0:05:06 > 0:05:08- ..before Gwenno arrived.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11- The children - are smitten with Gwenno.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15- She fitted right in, - as if she's always been here.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- I think Gwenno - was seven weeks old...
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- ..when we found out - she was profoundly deaf.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- At the time...
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- ..it was a mega shock.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- It felt as if everything in my life - was going wrong.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- But looking back...
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- ..there are - worse defects than deafness.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41- She's turned out to be a beautiful - little girl and she's mega clever.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44- Can I play with this? Please?
0:05:45 > 0:05:47- Thank you.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- At first, we tried a strong hearing - aid to see if that would work.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- Then they gave us - these tiny hearing aids.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59- We put little stickers on them - to make Gwenno look more glamorous.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03- The mould has pink glitter on it.
0:06:03 > 0:06:08- We tried these - for a couple of weeks...
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- ..but we didn't really see - any improvement...
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- ..so we went back and - they suggested cochlear implants.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- The greatest harm - caused by cochlear implants...
0:06:25 > 0:06:29- ..is that they'd destroy - any natural hearing she might have.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- Chris and I discussed it, - Mam and I discussed it...
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- ..and Mam and Dad discussed it...
0:06:35 > 0:06:39- ..and we decided if it improved - her life in the long-term...
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- ..we'd try it.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45- One, two, three, whoa!
0:06:53 > 0:06:56- Are they lovely? - Are you enjoying those?
0:06:58 > 0:07:00- Since she's completely deaf...
0:07:00 > 0:07:05- ..the option - of having cochlear implants...
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- ..was an easy decision to make.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- They wanted to operate - when she was a year old...
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- ..making her one of the youngest.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20- It was a strange feeling...
0:07:20 > 0:07:25- ..because it was a major upheaval - for her to go through.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- No, no, that's for Easter.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- That's for Easter. - You can have it before too long.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- It's such a shame that she had - no choice in the matter.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39- Since she was so young, - decisions had to be made for her.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43- It was a major operation - and quite invasive.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49- But the doctors told us...
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- ..that it wasn't - a painful procedure...
0:07:52 > 0:07:54- ..which made it easier for us.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- So we decided to go ahead...
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- ..and she had the operation - in August 2011.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- I remember it was very unpleasant...
0:08:05 > 0:08:10- ..having to take one so young - to theatre and leaving her there.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- The day Gwenno had the operation...
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- ..was an anxious time as a parent...
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- ..although she was - obviously none the wiser.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- I remember her crying - when they gave her the anaesthetic.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30- It was horrible because - they put a mask over her face.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- She was clinging to me. - It was heartbreaking.
0:08:36 > 0:08:41- It was obviously painful because she - had massive scars behind her ears.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- When they came to get me, - I didn't recognize her...
0:08:45 > 0:08:50- ..when I saw her at first - because she looked so different.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- Her face was swollen - and she was wearing a bandage.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58- She looked like a mini rugby player. - Her face had ballooned.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- She woke up - and was staring at me like this.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- I felt so bad but I - convinced myself it was necessary.
0:09:07 > 0:09:13- I remember holding her hand - walking back to the ward...
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- ..and everybody was there.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- It was so tight. I felt so bad - about the way she looked.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23- Her face was all squished like that.
0:09:23 > 0:09:28- But it worked out for the best - because she can hear as a result.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- We have to take Gwenno - to Manchester once a month.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- We've come here today - for Gwenno's mappings.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51- Her hearing in both ears is tested.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- In order for them to do that, they - have to remove one hearing aid...
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- ..and link the other - to the mains in the other room.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04- They send different noises...
0:10:04 > 0:10:09- ..and whenever she hears a sound, - she has to look at the tower...
0:10:09 > 0:10:11- ..and gets a little surprise.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15- Every time she hears a sound, - she looks to see what's there.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- Clever girl. Well done.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- Fantastic.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33- Mr Dinosaur. Clever girl.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39- Today's tests show that she can - hear sound on a lower frequency.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- For them, that's all-important.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48- She must be able - to hear relatively quiet noises...
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- ..such as cars approaching - from a distance.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- For her, that's what really matters.
0:11:04 > 0:11:10- It worked out well for her - in the end because she can hear.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- She can call me and say "Mam"...
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- ..and she listens to me - when I say, "No, Gwenno."
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- That's nice.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- The other day I left the hearing - aids switched on while she slept.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- When I called out to wake her up, - she jumped.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- To see her responding - is really nice for me...
0:11:30 > 0:11:32- ..because I'm not used to it.
0:11:32 > 0:11:37- Usually I have to poke her - to wake her, so it's nice.
0:11:38 > 0:11:39- .
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0:11:58 > 0:12:00- As Enlli's aunt...
0:12:01 > 0:12:05- ..finding out Enlli was pregnant - at 15 came as a huge shock.
0:12:05 > 0:12:10- She was seven months pregnant - before she mentioned it to anyone.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15- But looking at her afterwards, - it was so obvious.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- But we never expected it - to happen to Enlli.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- There's a hole here.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34- Just before - they found out Gwenno was deaf...
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- ..we suspected - there was something wrong.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- When she was a baby, she never - seemed startled when a dog barked...
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- ..or when a door slammed - or closed suddenly.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- She never jumped - like little ones usually do.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55- It was a huge shock first of all - to find out Enlli was pregnant...
0:12:55 > 0:12:59- ..and then the deafness - came as another shock.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03- But we'd come to terms with it - within a day or two...
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- ..and carried on as normal.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08- It didn't change anything.
0:13:16 > 0:13:17- CHILD SCREAMS
0:13:19 > 0:13:21- Don't be so dramatic!
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- Gwenno?
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- We've been through a lot.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- From Gwenno's operation...
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- ..to my starting college...
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- ..and having to leave Gwenno - at home with Mam.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43- Mam and I were having disagreements - because we were both stressed.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48- It's affected my life - because I no longer work.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- I look after Gwenno full time...
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- ..while Enlli is at college - studying for her A Levels.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- We'll see what happens afterwards.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07- I feel guilty sometimes for - giving Gwenno so much attention...
0:14:07 > 0:14:12- ..when I still have children of my - own needing my attention at home.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- It's difficult - being there for everyone.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18- I feel guilty for thinking...
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- ..it would have been nice if she'd - waited before having a baby.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- But then she wouldn't - have had dear little Gwenno.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- I sometimes think - it would have been nice for Enlli...
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- ..to have continued her education - and gone to university.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- We don't look too far ahead.
0:14:39 > 0:14:44- I certainly don't, - I take each day as it comes.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- Five years ago we bought a house - in Llan Ffestiniog...
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- ..with the intention of moving here, - but it's taking longer...
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- ..to renovate the house.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02- But part of the reason for that - is Gwenno's arrival.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- The project has been put on hold.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- There are issues - with the renovations.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- Now that I'm looking after Gwenno - and not working...
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- ..I'm not earning a wage - and renovating a house is costly.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24- We need five bedrooms...
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- ..so we've had to alter the plans - and change the bedrooms...
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- ..so that she can have her own room.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- He likes going there to escape.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- That's Goronwy's release valve.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- He goes there and potters about...
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- ..and doesn't - have to deal with everyday problems.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- I haven't found - my release valve yet.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- I have a tendency - to bottle it all up.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58- I'll explode one day - and there'll be nothing left of me.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00- I like to escape sometimes.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- It's nice taking the dogs for a walk - to get out of the house.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- Although Gwenno - has cochlear implants...
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- ..it doesn't stop her - doing anything.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- She loves swimming, although I have - to remove the implants for that.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- But it doesn't stop her. - She still enjoys the water.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27- Her little face lights up.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- # You are my friend
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- # Where do you want to go?
0:16:39 > 0:16:43- # The door's wide open for you
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- # Blessed, blessed are you
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- # You are free to go
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- # Why hide while I watch you?
0:16:54 > 0:16:58- # Blessed, blessed are you
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- # You're changing every day
0:17:01 > 0:17:04- # You're the apple of my eye #
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- This is Cylch Meithrin Gellilydan.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- Gwenno's been with us since January.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24- She's started to engage more - with the other children.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26- They all get on.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31- She's confident - and she's developed a great deal.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- Let's put on your shoes. - Where's your foot?
0:17:41 > 0:17:46- Although Gwenno doesn't speak, - she communicates through signals.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- If she wants to open something...
0:17:50 > 0:17:52- ..she'll hand us the object.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58- What I'm trying to do - is show her the sign...
0:17:58 > 0:18:01- ..and say the word at the same time.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05- If I want her to open something, - I show her how to communicate that.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11- We hope that in a year or two - Gwenno will be able to learn...
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- ..like other children - and that her speech will develop.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- I'm sure it will as she's bright. - She's clever.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- At the moment, Gwenno can hear more - or less all she is going to hear.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33- They've explained - that she won't hear perfectly...
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- ..but her hearing - is as good as mine.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40- People's hearing deteriorates - as they get older.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- Her hearing - will be as good as mine...
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- ..but not as good - as younger people's hearing.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50- But she'll hear well enough - to lead a normal life.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- She'll hear the television and cars.
0:18:53 > 0:18:59- She'll be fine and I'm sure she'll - lead a full life, knowing Gwenno.
0:18:59 > 0:19:05- Her hearing will be fine as long - as she always wears her implants...
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- ..otherwise - she'll be hard of hearing.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- She has the option of hearing - what she wants to hear.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- It'll be up to her when she's older.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- I think we made - the right decision for her.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- I hope Gwenno will be able - to lead a happy life.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- Although - I wouldn't change anything...
0:19:30 > 0:19:34- ..I don't want her to go down - the same route as I did.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- I want her to have a life first.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- I want her to have what I never had.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- I've already been to college.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- If I pass my exams this year...
0:19:48 > 0:19:50- ..I'll have achieved four A Levels.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53- I wanted to go to university...
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- ..but I don't see myself - actually going...
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- ..because - I don't want to leave Gwenno.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- I really hope...
0:20:05 > 0:20:09- ..that I go places with my artwork.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- Art is what I'd really like to do...
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- ..but weighing up my options - I want to find a good job...
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- ..so that I can earn enough to make - a decent living for Gwenno and me.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27- When I buy clothes these days, - Mam always says...
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- .."I used to wear those - back in the day."
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- They're lovely.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37- Those shiny leggings. My mother said - she had a bright green pair. Cool!
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- When I'm with my friends, - I feel really young again...
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- ..but when Gwenno's around, - I suddenly change to mother mode.
0:20:47 > 0:20:52- When I look at her with the other - young girls around this area...
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- ..I see how much effort - she puts into her college work...
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- ..she's doing very well.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- She's a wonderful artist.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- She's doing a great job - as a mother.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11- Being the grandmother, - Elaine helps out a lot.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- I hope - what she's learnt as a mother...
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- ..during these early years - will stand her in good stead...
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- ..when they eventually move out.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- Looking after Gwenno is harder...
0:21:25 > 0:21:30- ..than caring for a child - without a hearing disability.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- What do you want? - There are strawberries on the table.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- Being a mother is very hard work.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- It's hard work anyway...
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- ..but being a mother - at such a young age...
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- ..while attending college, - learning to drive...
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- ..looking after horses and juggling - added responsibilities...
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- ..makes it harder still.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- Sometimes - I feel down in the dumps...
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- ..but having Gwenno there - soon cheers me up.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- Though we're worried about - all that's going on...
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- ..and the decisions - we have to make...
0:22:08 > 0:22:11- ..this is entirely normal - for Gwenno.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15- This is her normality. - It's Gwenno's little world.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- Just looking at her face - makes you want to smile.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- She's happy all the time.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- She's beautiful with her curly hair.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30- Although there are times...
0:22:30 > 0:22:35- ..when I'd like to stay in bed - and sleep until 11 o'clock...
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- ..instead of having to get up - early at 8 o'clock...
0:22:40 > 0:22:43- ..I wouldn't change anything.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- Gwens is my life now.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- All the things I did before...
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- ..since having Gwenno, - I do them with Gwenno nowadays.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00- # Blessed, blessed are you
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- # You're free to go
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- # Why hide while I watch you?
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- # Blessed, blessed are you
0:23:10 > 0:23:13- # You're changing every day
0:23:13 > 0:23:17- # You're the apple of my eye #
0:23:19 > 0:23:22- S4C Subtitles by Adnod Cyf.
0:23:22 > 0:23:23- .