Shyllene Ross was diagnosed with bilateral profound sensorineural hearing loss at 12 years, and received her first cochlear implant within the next year. This allowed her to hear much better with many different sounds and people speaking clearly. The donation from the Nellie Atkinson Trust gave Shyllene the opportunity to receive a second cochlear implant, with surgery on 25 July and activation started on the 31 August. She is now 17 years old and in her final year of school with plans to attend university next year. She is inspired to show others that they can achieve their dreams, no matter the challenges (such as deafness).