It's been a long road filled with obstacles, but Jessie Goodwill has learned to hear after being born essentially deaf. The 27 year-old lives in Altona but grew up in Souris and is sharing her story this Speech and Hearing Awareness Month. At the early age of 1 she was diagnosed with severe to profound hearing loss.

"I think I was a pretty happy kid just minding my own and my parents noticed that I was not responding to them calling my name, and loud noises didn't bother me...that's when they realized something was not right," explained Goodwill. In fact, she says she has no recollection of not being able to hear.

In grade 3 Goodwill received cochlear implants and after years of rehab, along with the assistance of hearing aids, is now able to hear and speak. She admits the process wasn't always easy but says it was worth it, noting she always tried to remain positive.

"I'm very fortunate with all the things that I've accomplished in my life but I also tell myself 'Okay, what can I do to improve it?'"

Goodwill encourages others in similar situations to push through their frustrations and keep going.

"When I got the cochlear implant in grade three I was still struggling through elementary (school) but when I was in grade seven my marks started to go up and I was able to socialize more. By the time I got to high school I was up to the top of my class and got involved with more things like sports and volunteering, and when I look back it was worth it to get the surgery."