Harlem student graduates from secondary school after cutting edge bone hearing technology brings his hearing back

James Keivom/New York Daily News Terrell Davis, 20, with his mother Brenda, right, and grandmother Alice, after his 47 American Sign Language and English Secondary School graduation on Thursday, June 26, 2014 in New York, N.Y. The Harlem student has been completely deaf since birth, but recently received a new cutting-edge hearing implant that allowed him to hear for the first time in his life. (James Keivom / New York Daily News)

It was music to his ears.

One month after receiving a cutting-edge bone hearing aid from Lenox Hill Hospital, Terrell Davis heard his own name spoken aloud in public for the first time as he graduated from 47 the American Sign Language and English Secondary School.

Davis walked to the stage with a grin as he accepted his diploma, his family cheering and giving a standing ovation from the crowd.

After the ceremony, Davis was hugging and signing with his interpreters and fellow classmates.

It felt “great” to graduate, the soft-spoken 21-year-old said, though he admits he was nervous about being called up to the stage.

Enid Alvarez/New York Daily News Brenda Davis with son Terrell Davis, 20, student has been completely deaf since birth, but has just received a new cutting-edge hearing implant from doctors at LIJ, Davis is able to hear for the very first time in his life. He will be graduating with a special needs high school diploma at the end of June and will actually be able to hear his name called as he gets his diploma, an emotional moment for him and his mom at the Doctors office at 863 Park Avenue, New York, NY on Tuesday, June 3, 2014

“I feel great,” he said. “(Today) means, to me, a lot.”

His mother, Brenda, said that Davis’ life has dramatically improved since receiving his implant.

“His whole self-esteem has risen. He’s not as closed as he was before. It feels good when everybody is talking and he’s paying attention. Just seeing him shine, light up, it’s been really good.”

The ceremony featured heartfelt speeches and tears from principal Watfa Shama.

James Keivom/New York Daily News Terrell Davis, 20, (right, rear) during the 47 American Sign Language and English Secondary School graduation on Thursday, June 26, 2014 in New York, N.Y. The Harlem student has been completely deaf since birth, but recently received a new cutting-edge hearing implant that allowed him to hear for the first time in his life. (James Keivom / New York Daily News) James Keivom/New York Daily News Terrell Davis, 20, right, receives his 47 American Sign Language and English Secondary School diploma from assistant principal Elizabeth Khourouzian during graduation on Thursday, Jun. 26, 2014 in New York, N.Y. The Harlem student has been completely deaf since birth, but recently received a new cutting-edge hearing implant that allowed him to hear for the first time in his life. (James Keivom / New York Daily News) James Keivom/New York Daily News Terrell Davis, 20, after the 47 American Sign Language and English Secondary School graduation on Thursday, June 26, 2014 in New York, N.Y. The Harlem student has been completely deaf since birth, but recently received a new cutting-edge hearing implant that allowed him to hear for the first time in his life. (James Keivom / New York Daily News)

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“These are tears of joy; there’s no sadness,” Shama said in her address to students. “I’ve never been prouder. This is the next step in your journey.”

Shama gave graduates a blue marble to symbolize the world in the palm of each student’s hand.

“Whenever you feel that you can’t do something, take that marble out and put it in the palm of your hand and say, ‘You know what, I have the whole world in my hand. . . . I can do this.’ ”

Meredith Engel

Yahoo Local News – New York Daily News

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