Nucleus Hero: Makenzie McGuire

“Cool!”

That’s not only how Makenzie summed up her experience as Shamu’s trainer, but also the Premiere Cochlear® Celebration she attended with her family in Orlando.

Makenzie is an active, bright, energetic 7-year-old who happens to be a bilateral Nucleus® cochlear implant recipient. She received her first implant in her right ear when she was 2 years old and then had her left ear implanted just over a year later. Last year, she upgraded to Nucleus® Freedom™ processors.

When Makenzie attended the SeaWorld party at Cochlear Celebration, she was the lucky audience member selected to be Shamu’s trainer in the Believe show. She had a fantastic time and still wears the whale tooth necklace that she was given for being Shamu’s trainer in the show.

Grown-up Ambitions, Little-girl Interests

Her whale-training experience will be helpful in her goal be a veterinarian when she grows up. An avid animal-lover, Makenzie wants to take care of sick animals, be a cowgirl so she can ride horses and become Shamu’s full-time trainer.

But for now, Makenzie is just concentrating on enjoying first grade and playing with her friends. Makenzie also likes riding her bike, going to the beach and reading. She has also developed a love of dance, especially tap and ballet, and has been studying for the past three years. She’s excited to show off her new favorite dance, Rockin’ Robin, at her upcoming recital.    

Makenzie is our Nucleus hero because, like so many other cochlear implant recipients, she exemplifies an, “I can do anything,” attitude. She approaches life the same way she approached Shamu … head on! Her cochlear implant is merely a tool to help her get there.