As we celebrate cochlear implant awareness month this February, we’re honored to share the story of Abby, whose 25-year journey with cochlear implants exemplifies both the transformative power of this technology and the boundless potential of children who are deaf or hard of hearing. From becoming one of the youngest pediatric cochlear implant recipients in New England to her current role championing college athletes, Abby’s story illuminates the profound impact this technology can have on an individual’s life trajectory.
After contracting bacterial meningitis in July 1999, 13-month-old Abby was not expected to hear, walk or talk again.
Now at 26, Abby—an avid CrossFit athlete—serves as the coordinator of student athlete leadership inclusion and engagement at Westfield State University, where she works under an NCAA Ethnic Minorities and Women’s Internship Grant.
Her journey from that initial diagnosis to her current role underscores not only her resilience and determination, but the power of technology and her robust support system.
Tech Through the Years
Abby received her first cochlear implant at 17 months old, followed by a second at age four. Through intensive therapy and unwavering family support, she not only learned to walk and speak but went on to excel academically and athletically.
“And when I switch to new cochlear implants, my hearing only gets better,” Abby reflects. A particularly meaningful milestone came in 2018 when she received a technology upgrade in her cochlear implants, which allowed her to clearly understand song lyrics for the first time and connect directly to her phone via Bluetooth.
“I love Bruno Mars,” she says. “When he came to Springfield, MA, I went, and I actually understood all the words! I was really happy.”
Clarke Support in Mainstream Settings
Abby attended mainstream schools with Clarke support, including working with Clarke’s teachers of the deaf (TODs) from sixth through twelfth grade, and participating in customized academic evaluations with Clarke’s Comprehensive Educational Evaluations (CEE) Program.
She credits those evaluations and Clarke’s teachers of the deaf for helping her navigate the transition to higher education.
“I’m grateful that Clarke helped me navigate that situation,” Abby says, “because if I didn’t get that [CEE] testing done, I don’t think I would’ve been able to have the support I needed.”
At Westfield State, Abby completed her undergraduate degree in movement science in 2021. She then went on to earn her master’s in public administration, completing a capstone project focused on support systems for students who are deaf or hard of hearing in public schools. Her research examined the history of educational support in pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, comparing accommodations between schools for the deaf and mainstream schools, and analyzing ongoing challenges faced by students with hearing loss.
Abby’s Advice on Accommodations
As a student-athlete who played field hockey at Westfield State, Abby experienced firsthand the importance of accessible education and proper accommodations. She particularly valued services like CART (Communication Access Realtime Translation) and FM systems, though she notes that not all professors were equally accommodating. These experiences have informed her current work with student-athletes, especially in supporting first-generation college students and those requiring accommodations.
“Every student with hearing loss is different,” Abby emphasizes. “Everyone has their own needs.” She encourages families and educators to avoid comparisons and instead focus on each student’s individual requirements. “Don’t be afraid to speak up,” she advises parents. “Just don’t be willing to let districts shut you down, because you want to make sure your student does well in life.”
Milestones Achieved and More to Come
In December 2024, Abby celebrated her 25th “hearing anniversary,” a milestone that reflects both personal triumph and technological advancement. Having met Professor Graeme Clark, the inventor of the cochlear implant, at several Cochlear™ Celebration events, she expresses profound gratitude for the technology that has shaped her life. “I’m forever grateful that he invented the cochlear implant,” she says.
As Abby looks ahead to new opportunities in athletic administration after her current grant concludes in June 2025, she continues to demonstrate that with determination, support and appropriate accommodations, there are no limits to what one can achieve.
1 Comment
I was Abby’s 1:1 para in Kindergarten & in 1’st grade at Blueberry Hill Elementary School in Longmeadow, Mass. She was an adorable little girl with a lot of determination. I was so extremely proud of her then, and even more proud of her now and the beautiful young woman that she has become. I can clearly see how her determination has paid off. Abby has proven that any type of disability will never stop you from doing or becoming whatever you want to be. What a role model and inspiration she is for everyone. Miss Donna is extremely proud of you Abby!!!