Ariane’s Journey

Ariane and her parents started coming to The Shepherd Centre in 2003 when Ariane was one year old, having not being diagnosed with hearing loss until she was 8 months. During that time, she was supported by none other than our now-CEO, Aleisha Davis, who was her speech pathologist – something that Aleisha still remembers fondly…

“Our weekly sessions on Abercrombie Street were so fun, and I especially loved visiting Ariane at her preschool. I’ll always remember seeing her confidence blossom as we worked on her listening and language skills. The change in the year before school was incredible – she became so loud and talkative! It was amazing to see her find her voice and truly thrive”.

We have recently had the privilege of reconnecting with Ariane’s parents, Sandrine and Bill, who maintain that she would not have flourished both personally and academically in her life without the skills, strategies and confidence she received at The Shepherd Centre. They have kindly shared with us the remarkable journey their daughter has taken. 

“Ariane’s path was not the simplest, but she managed to overcome all the obstacles, thanks to her tenacity, curiosity, independence, and all the love and encouragement she received from her family, friends and therapists. We will never forget the unconditional support The Shepherd Centre gave us, and the tools you equipped us with which made all the difference in building a secure future for her.” 

And what a future it is! After excelling in school, achieving 98.5 in her HSC, she received offers from many of Australia’s top universities. She chose to study at the Australian National University (ANU) in Canberra, where she recently graduated with a double degree – a Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy, and International Relations, along with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Art History. 

Next year, Ariane is heading to Melbourne to pursue further studies, with the goal of completing a Masters degree that will help her achieve her goal of a career in foreign aid and development. 

It’s encouraging to note that Ariane’s world is not all work though! She has found the time to explore the world including a six-month exchange in The Netherlands, independent travel through Europe, a student program in Mongolia, volunteering and teaching English and politics, before travelling to Sri Lanka, India, and Nepal. 

Her mother Sandrine added: 

“We’re truly grateful that The Shepherd Centre crossed our path and has been such a guiding light – not only for our child but for us as parents too. Especially for me, with my own hearing loss, what you’ve taught me has gone far beyond anything I ever learned from sound therapists during my childhood in France… You’ve had such a lasting impact, and I can’t thank you enough for the guidance, expertise, and encouragement you gave our daughter. The impact of your work has shaped her future, and we are forever grateful.” 

Ariane’s journey is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when a child is given the right support. Her story is not only a celebration of personal resilience, but also a testament to the life-changing support, made possible by our ever-generous supporters. 

As a token of their gratitude, Sandrine and Bill have been supporting The Shepherd Centre since 2004.