Heather Cook
When Heather Cook was 11 months old, her mother discovered that Heather had a severe to profound hearing loss. There was no history of deafness in her family. Heather’s hearing loss was probably due to the antibiotics that kept her alive after she was born 11 weeks premature.
With huge support from family / friends and itinerant teaching services and other general assistance from RIDBC, Heather learned to cope growing up with deafness. Heather remembers when she was in Year 6, her father made her use the FM listening system away from the classroom, helping her to be more open about being hearing impaired. Looking back she is very grateful!
Heather has learned to embrace life to the full and make the most of every opportunity life throws at her. Being deaf is something she has learned to be proud of rather than withdrawing from life. She sees it as an opportunity rather than a barrier.
Out of 80 applicants, Heather was one of 10 students who was elected prefect in Year 12 at Tara Anglican School For Girls. While at school, she participated in IGSSA and CIS carnivals in both athletics and swimming and in AWD Events (Athletes with a Disability). Heather loves playing Netball and Ultimate Frisbee.
Heather completed her HSC in 2006 and took a year off to complete a sports traineeship before commencing a Bachelor of Health Science (PDHPE) at University and is loving it! She works casually as a lifeguard, a Development Officer for AFL and helps leads camps for the Department of Sport and Recreation. Heather has also been a leader at Crusader and various youth camps.
Heather is a Youth Ambassador of Hear For You and regularly speaks at our leadership workshops, providing advice on how to be a positive leader whilst dealing with deafness-related issues. Heather is thankful for all the support and encouragement she has received in her life and is thrilled she is able to support the Hear For You participants so they too can experience life to the full!
Her motto is to make the most of every opportunity and don’t let anything hold you back!
