My name is Nicholas Bialka; I prefer to be called Nick. I am 19 years old and I live inEnfield, CT. I’m currently a junior at Wethersfield High School. I was born hearing and became deaf when I was 9 months old due to meningitis, which leftme with a profound hearing loss. I am now a bilateral cochlear implant user.

Recently, I have been accepted to travel with No Barriers, Leading the Way – Peru on August9 -17, 2015. This program is for deaf and hard of hearing teenagers, ages16-21. Over the next 4 months we will be learning about the local culture,environment, language as well as the deaf education in Peru. We will also beclimbing Machu Picchu. This will be great opportunity for me to challengemyself and examine my leadership strengths and weaknesses.

There are two people that really inspired me to take this trip. Miss Kaitlyn Millen, Specialty Programs Coordinator for NoBarriers. She was my 8th grade science teacher at Clarke School for Hearing and Speech. After seeing youth transformed by the No Barriers curriculum and journey, she was inspired to lead a No Barriers life. She is thrilled to help connect others with NoBarriers through our specialty programs! Bill Barkeley, will also be one of the leaders in our group. He is a Deaf-Blind Advocate and Adventurer. Mr. Barkeley has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro,and ran in the Boston Marathon. He often speaks and motivates others, to reach for our dreams and focus on building a life without limits. His quote “Don’t let your disability define you” is a true statement on how I really do live my life. I am an active teen, playing paintball every chance I get, skiing and working hard in school. I plan to attend college and study to be a software engineer. I am fascinated by today’s technology.