Student Rebecca French has been awarded a €6,000 scholarship from the Cochlear UK Graeme Clark Scholarship Award, which will help to support her through university.
Rebecca, 19, from Durham, is profoundly deaf, but was given the sensation of hearing from a cochlear implant at the age of 3 ½. The implant is a small electronic device which consists of an external processor that sits behind the ear and a second element that is surgically placed under the skin. A cochlear implant does not restore normal hearing but can give someone with a severe to profound hearing loss access to a world of sound.
The scholarship is a unique award open to Cochlear Nucleus® implant recipients nationwide, which is awarded on the basis of academic achievement, as well as Cochlear’s ideals of leadership and humanity.
Rebecca, who is studying for a BA in Modern History and Politics at the University of St Andrews in Fife, was chosen from a number of exceptional candidates. Her ambition is to become a lawyer and she has received excellent results in her studies. Rebecca also participates in a number of sporting activities and says her implant has enabled her to live life to the full.
On hearing she had won the award, she said: “I’m delighted to accept the award, it is such an honour, I didn’t expect it at all!"
Gaynor Booth, Marketing and Business Development Manager at Cochlear UK said: “The sponsorship is a wonderful opportunity to help our recipients by supporting them financially when they continue their education. It also highlights how lives are enhanced through access to our technology, together with the help of healthcare professionals.”
