Cochlear implant (CI) user Mikaeel Valli from Canada has 15 published research articles that have been cited over 200 times to date. 28-year-old Mikaeel studies Neuroscience as a Medical Science PhD candidate at the University of Toronto. The upbeat young man’s journey demonstrates what being humble, positive, and yet, dreaming big despite hearing loss could look like.
Starting His CI Journey with Solid Support
Born with severe to profound hearing loss, Mikaeel was implanted behind his right ear at age 3 in 1996 in Toronto, Canada. He was mainstreamed right from his preschool years. But he was not left to his own devices. He had dedicated auditory-verbal therapists during preschool and itinerant teachers in elementary school to facilitate his speech and communication skills development. The individualised education plan (IEP), which is legally required for special needs students in Canada, also made available additional support for him. These include an FM system, preferential seating, and extended time on tests. Teachers were also made aware of his hearing needs and would adjust their teaching pace when needed.
Mikaeel recalled his teachers and the school staff being very encouraging and supportive throughout their services. They were steadfast and faithful in catering to his hearing needs even when progress seemed minimal. He described himself as a “C” student from Grade 1 to Grade 6. He got a breakthrough in Grade 8.
Breakthrough in Grade 8
By the time Mikaeel got to Grade 8, his language and communication skills had significantly grown. He was introduced to the mainstream English class. He no longer needed the remedial classes. From being preoccupied with keeping up with his hearing classmates, he started taking on challenges like dealing with advanced science projects. Even when his itinerant teacher thought he should continue using the FM system, Mikaeel was confident that he no longer needed it. He was an honour roll student (a recognition for students who achieved high grades) in all his high school semesters. He had progressed to an “A” student and matured to be confident in himself and his abilities.
Planning His Future
Mikaeel envisioned himself working in the healthcare field in helping others when considering his career path. He therefore enrolled in the BSc. (Honours) in the Psychology programme at York University in 2011.
Mikaeel was about to spend his first university summer break working at Canada’s Wonderland, the country’s largest theme park, which would have been his first paying job. But his elder brother suggested that he get experience in something related to healthcare instead to build his resume. Mikaeel took the advice — he quit his hot dog-grilling job at Canada’s Wonderland after just one day on it. Instead, he took up a neurosurgery research student position, which he secured after emailing about 100 doctors and scientists.
Passion for Neuroscience Research Was Born
That sowed a seed for his career in neuroscience research. He had the opportunity to work with brain surgeons on a research paper. It was a period of accelerated growth. He had to learn to assimilate difficult ideas independently and to write effectively. He had no prior experience in writing research papers. His supervisor was not always at his disposal as he was occupied with brain surgeries. It took him multiple rounds of re-working before his research paper assignment was accepted by his supervisor and eventually got published.
From that first encounter with neuroscience research, Mikaeel developed an appreciation for neuroscience, medicine and research – all in one. It led to another four neuroscience research positions in the subsequent years. They paved the way to his PhD study which he embarked on in 2016. Currently in his fifth year of study, he is set to complete the programme next year if all things go as planned. He works in a lab that is dedicated to understanding Parkinson’s disease through brain imaging.
Possibility Mindset as A Crucial Factor Helping Him to Thrive
When asked if he has any particular words for CI parents or young-adult cochlear implant users reading this story, Mikaeel felt that we could learn to be more comfortable with raising the bar (while remaining realistic). The goal is to encourage effort — every single step on a flight of stairs counts. He recounted being integrated into the mainstream English class in Grade 8 as an example of the teachers raising the bar for him. It was the juncture from which his self-esteem steadily grew, and he has not looked back since.
Mikaeel also credits his parents, AV therapists and teachers for instilling in him the idea that everything is possible if he puts his mind to it. In his early elementary school years, his mother kept a journal as a communication channel with his teachers. Mikaeel’s mother would pen down questions about his learning progress in the journal. Mikaeel would then pass it to his teachers, who would then share their feedback. Model behaviours like this have reinforced the possibility mindset he embodies today.
Mikaeel’s favourite quote by Michael Jordan nicely sums up what the possibility mindset sounds like:
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through, or work around it.” Michael Jordan
Outside of work, Mikaeel enjoys watching shows and movies on Netflix. He also plays badminton. He is happily married to Sakina. They together enjoy going to the beach and hiking.
You could find more cochlear implant user stories here.
CI Project collects cochlear implant user stories. I’d like to invite you to join the private Facebook group. You’ll receive an update of each new story (about once a month) and will get to interact with the characters of each story there. I’m also looking for more cochlear implant user stories. I’d appreciate it if you could nominate a cochlear implant user (including yourself) for me to write a story about!