About Me

I have not known life without my Cochlear Implant. I was born deaf; at only 1 year old, I had undergone intense surgery to receive my Cochlear Implant. My parents actively sought out different options to help me and found Cochlear to be the most effective and efficient item in the market. As a kid I hated the fact that I was different from most kids around me. I constantly wondered why kids my age did not also have a Cochlear Implant as I thought it was the status quo. At only five years old, I made every attempt to blend in with the rest. I knew I was different, but I didn't truly know what it meant. I would eventually find out later that it would be the coolest thing in my life. As a kid, I was very involved in travel ice hockey. Having a Cochlear gave me the chance to excel in the sport and allowed me to build lifelong friendships with both my coaches and my teammates. I went to regular public school from Kindergarten to 8th grade. It would be incorrect to say I haven’t struggled with coming to terms with who I am. For a while I had distanced myself from this new environment and closed myself off from succeeding socially. I became very insecure and was worried what others would think of me. Eventually I had put things into perspective and realized that if people had something to say about my Cochlear Implant, they weren’t worth my time to begin with. My freshman year was difficult but as I started my sophomore year, I began to branch myself out. I started talking to the people in my classes, gained close friends, and became more involved with extracurriculars at school. I am about to start my senior year of high school and I am currently the President of Medical Club, Vice President of Science Research Club, a Senior Leader for the incoming freshman class, and I have made the honor roll every trimester since freshman year. I began to cherish my Cochlear Implant. I wanted people to know about it. I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for my Cochlear Implant. I wanted to create a space for children and adults where they can feel safe about their Cochlear Implant. Eventually, Cochlear Connect was born. Cochlear Connect provides members of the deaf community as well as those with Cochlear Implants a multitude of resources they can access. Medical professionals, different stories, members of the deaf community, etc. can all be found here. I am dedicated to giving back to my community in any way I can as those who came before me did as well!