Jakiria’s Family

“I want to be a role model for other young people with hearing loss.”

Jakiria was diagnosed as hard of hearing when she was two-and-a-half years old.  Her mother, Dovie, explains, “We were first connected with Specialized Care for Children through the elementary school’s special education program.  From the start, DSCC has made a great, positive impact on our family.  DSCC has assisted us with repairing her hearing aid if it’s broken, by giving her hearing aid batteries when she needs them, and by replacing her old hearing aid for a new one.  She goes to Chicago’s Lurie Children’s Hospital for these services, and DSCC takes care of everything for us.  If it had not been for DSCC, I couldn’t have made it, and I’ll always be thankful for them!”

Dovie continues, “Our Care Coordinator, Cherie Dalbke, has been such an inspiration for me – so supportive through the years.  She always is upbeat, concerned, and proactive about whatever Jakiria needs.  Thank you for all that you have done, Cherie!  I will always recommend DSCC to families that need their services.  I’m talking to a young mother now that has two children that are hard of hearing.”

Smiling proudly at her daughter, Dovie shares, “Jakiria is a very athletic, intelligent, and creative young woman.  She loves accepting challenges, doesn’t limit herself, and as her parent, neither have I.  Since Jakiria was a child, whatever she was interested in doing, I supported her.  Never once did I say, “You can’t do this,” or “I don’t want you to do that.”  I allowed her to make her own choices and that’s the reason why she’s grown into a very goal-oriented, responsible young woman.”

During our conversation, Jakiria hugs Dovie’s arm and says, “My mom is my inspiration.  She’s my 24-7 support system!”

Seventeen-year-old Jakiria doesn’t let hearing loss hold her back. “I can do anything I want, choose any career that interests me. As I grow and develop my career, I want to be a role model for other young people like me,” she says determinedly.  “At this point in time, I’m trying to decide which career path to pursue after high school. There are many directions I’m interested in, and I’m so excited about my future!”

Jakiria was accepted to the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. The University is home to the National Technical Institute for the deaf. She plans to start classes in Fall 2015.

Watch a clip from Jakiria and Dovie’s interview