Nurses create see-through face masks so deaf father can read lips during birth of newborn daughter

New father says he cried when presented with masks

A new father, who is deaf, is praising nurses after they made see-through face masks so that he would be able to read lips during the birth of his daughter.

Prior to the birth of their child, Will McKendree and his wife Jennifer, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, were worried that he would not be able to fully understand what was going on during the delivery because Will relies heavily on reading lips and other visual clues.

“I couldn’t hear," Will told WTKR, after hospital staff began requiring face masks as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. "They were talking; couldn’t hear anything."

However, ahead of the birth of the couple’s daughter, Cooper Lynn, on 10 April, the nurses at Sentara Princess Anne Hospital decided to create special masks that would enable Will to read lips during the delivery.

Using a sewing machine that nurse specialist Lori Holleman had at the hospital, the team of nurses sewed clear heavy-duty plastic panelling into regular face masks.

Of the decision to make the masks, Reagan Boomer, Sentara Princess Anne Hospital nurse manager said “basic communication” between staff and patients, as well as the ability to bond with patients is important.

“We felt like giving another avenue where he could be part of the conversation was really important," she said.

According to Will, when he was presented with the masks, he was brought to tears by the considerate gesture.

“I just started crying. It was very emotional," the new father said. "Not many deaf people can have this type of experience with others thinking about us and our access to be able to communicate."

Jennifer also expressed her gratitude to the nurses for going above and beyond.

“It was just really special for him and for us that they took the time as nurses and medical professionals that are risking their lives in this pandemic to just take it a step further and work together as a team,” she told the outlet.

According to WTKR, the masks have since been distributed through all Sentara facilities.