Jaden Williams, Ear Community college scholarship recipient, 3/2025, Arizona Western College.
Congratulations to Jaden Williams for being one of our Ear Community college scholarship recipients this year!
Jaden was born with bilateral microtia and atresia, who grew up in an orphanage in China without a hearing aid, struggling to hear and reading people’s lips, making it difficult for him to keep up with his classmates in school. Jaden remembers feeling isolated and frustrated, often wondering why he was different. Jaden was able to still find love while growing up in the orphanage. The Chinese people in the orphanage showed Jaden compassion, helping him find a loving home and offering emotional support during this challenging time in his life while coming to the United States. Jaden says, “This experience taught me the importance of being diligent in life and not giving up on facing challenges – values that I continue to carry with me to this day.”
After Jaden was adopted by his American mom and brought to the United States, he was given the opportunity to be aided with a bone conduction hearing device which transformed his life! Suddenly, he was able to engage in conversations, participate in class and connect with others in a way he had never been able to before! This change opened up a world of possibilities and gave him the confidence to pursue his dreams! Jaden is grateful to his teachers for helping him receive the support he needed to move forward, spending extra time with him to ensure he understood what he was learning and by helping him develop the skills he needed that are helping him thrive. It was their belief in him, along with his mother’s, that inspired him to work hard and strive for a bright future!
Jaden is excited for his future! He is determined to become an attorney and is currently pursuing his AA degree in Paralegal Studies from Aarizona Western College. From there, Jaden is looking forward to earning his Bachelors Degree in legal studies and plans to apply to law school. He hopes that his career will go on to serve as a testament to the determination that is being defined through his own personal journey and to be an inspiration for others who may find themselves in a similar situation with Microtia and Atresia.
Congratulations, Jaden! We are SO PROUD of YOU! Thank you for reminding all of us that love and help go a long way and for the reminder of how important hearing is! You are an incredibly strong individual with amazing determination and drive that undoubtedly will help you soldier on creating that bright future you are in search of! Do great things, Jaden!
Thank you!
Melissa Tumblin
Founder – Executive Director
Ear Community
