FOUR-YEAR-OLD Summer was adopted by her new mum Joyce Wilkins when she was just a baby.
But the Stroud mother-of-four quickly discovered that her new family member was profoundly deaf.
Four years on and the pair are learning sign language together to help improve communication.
Summer has also become a much-loved addition to the family, who live in Whiteshill.
Joyce said: "My other children adore Summer. They are all really interested in her.
"They all seem to be learning another sign every day. For Christmas, I got a big book of signs from my son, which was very sweet."
The family has received the support of a children's deaf club in Cirencester and the Gloucestershire Deaf Association, in Barnwood.
Joyce and her husband of 32 years Brian couldn't be happier with the help they have been given.
Now Joyce is stepping up her knowledge of British Sign Language by signing up to a level one course at the Barnwood offices in September.
She said: "When we first found out that Summer was deaf, we didn't think much about it because she was so little.
"As she is getting older, it can be more frustrating because she sometimes doesn't know how to express herself."
Summer has had a cochlear implant installed, which helps her to hear sounds.
They are sometimes referred to as "bionic ears". They are electronic devices which help to send some sound signals to the brain.
Joyce said: "The implant that she has can't be used when she's in water so when she's splashing around in the bath or at the swimming pool we still need to be able to communicate.
"The sign language is always going to be useful. At the end of the day, she is still a deaf child and she needs to learn sign language."
