A toddler who was born with a limb difference and a very rare genetic condition that causes hearing loss and deafness lit up when his cochlear implant was activated for the very first time, signaling to his mom that something extraordinary was happening. 20-month-old Rhett Sisson, from Covington, Washington, was born with Lacrimo‐auriculo‐dento‐digital (LADD) syndrome, which results in malformations that impact the likes of hearing. Rhett's older sibling also has LADD and suffers from hearing loss, so his family was able to prepare for the results when, at birth, Rhett failed his hearing screening. The youngster was then referred to a children's hospital, where doctors confirmed that he had profound sensorineural hearing loss and would be a candidate for cochlear implants. The big moment then came on November 13, at Seattle Children's Hospital, when Rhett's implant in his right ear was set to be activated for the first time. As soon as the processor was turned on, Rhett looked slightly confused – only to start beaming with joy and signaling to his mom that something special was happening. Rhett's mom, Madison, 32, said she did not know what to expect when she went into the hospital that day, but when she saw her son's joyous reaction, she couldn't help but fight back tears.