After more than 30 years of volunteering in the UK and New Zealand with Guides and Scouts Aotearoa, Sophia Sturgess was recognised with the Leadership Dame Patsy Reddy Award for Diversity and Inclusion at Scouts Aotearoa’s Leadership Weekend in August 2025 – and it was a moment that caught her off guard.
At the ceremony, organisers had introduced a live transcription tablet to help make presentations more accessible. Sophia, who received a cochlear implant through SCIP 14 years ago, was using the technology to follow the sessions.
“As I became aware of the room going silent when my name appeared on the screen, I looked up and noticed a few people staring at me. I read it again twice to make sure. I was so speechless and shocked when I received the award.”
For Sophia, the award represented a lifelong commitment to creating opportunities for others, particularly people who have traditionally faced barriers to participation.
“I hope to inspire individuals with disabilities, including those who are deaf, to see that they can achieve their goals. Scouts Aotearoa gave me a chance to prove myself and remain open-minded about what I can accomplish despite my disabilities.”
Sophia began Guide’s leadership training at the age of 14 and today, she is Group Leader for her local Scout Group, where she supports leaders, volunteers and families while helping young people develop confidence, skills and lifelong friendships.
She says one of the most rewarding parts of leadership is seeing young people achieve something they once thought was beyond their reach.
“Watching them develop a new skill is truly rewarding; their expressions say a thousand words when they accomplish what they initially thought was impossible.”
Sophia also enjoys seeing friendships grow among young people from many different schools and working alongside fellow leaders to find practical solutions that support every member of the group.
“We find ways to make things work for them. We have leaders who are neurodiverse, helping them to achieve the task, to ease their workload into more manageable tasks, and providing the necessary support within their teams so they can do it.”
Her passion for inclusion is deeply personal.
As a young adult, Sophia was told by one organisation that she couldn’t complete a course or sit exams because of her hearing impairment. It was a turning point that shaped the way she advocates for others today.
“I was devastated. Fortunately, I won my battle with that organisation. I completed the course, took the exams, and passed. I keep this certificate and medallion as a reminder of how far I’ve come.”
“This is why I am so proactive in ensuring that all youth, regardless of their diversity and disabilities, have the opportunity to be part of Scouting. We give them the chance to develop, to learn new things, to discover themselves, and to receive the support they need… Everyone deserves a chance.”
Long before becoming a Scout leader, Sophia’s own journey began with profound hearing loss.
Sophia’s hearing loss was identified shortly before her first birthday. At 13 months old, she received her first hearing aid, consisting of two small boxes worn on her chest.
Growing up in the United Kingdom, she attended mainstream schools before graduating with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Medical Biochemistry. In 2006, she moved to New Zealand with her young family.
It was after the birth of her third child that an audiologist suggested a referral to SCIP to explore cochlear implantation.
Although she was initially offered a cochlear implant, the timing didn’t feel right. A few years later, when her youngest child was two and a half, she returned to SCIP.
“The next thing I knew, I was fast-tracked to the top of the list for the cochlear implant and was implanted within a few months.”
Receiving a cochlear implant opened up a whole new world of sound, but it also came with unexpected challenges.
“At the time I received my cochlear implant, I had four young children aged between 2 and a half and 8 years old. The most challenging part of my journey was re-learning to hear my children’s voices, as I discovered that everyone sounds different, with children having much higher pitches. Whereas with hearing aids, everyone speaks almost the same. It was frustrating for my children and I, but we got there in the end.”
As her brain adapted to new sounds, Sophia began noticing everyday moments she had never experienced before.
“One of my greatest joys has been hearing the chorus of birds along with my children. I now understand why my mother-in-law often commented on how beautiful it was to listen to them every time she came to New Zealand and stayed with us. Before my implant, I would just nod along, having no idea what she was talking about.”
“Listening to my children giggling in the other room, I used to miss it, having not been able to pick that up with hearing aids.”
She could also hear the wheeze of an asthma attack sooner, allowing her to give inhalers earlier and avoid unnecessary trips to hospital.
Today, Sophia says her hearing helps her fulfil her leadership role in Scouting.
“I can effectively listen and communicate with leaders and parents, in order to support the youth, and attend trainings and meetings comfortably. I can offer more than I have in the past and help break down the barriers of disability within the community.”
Life has presented further challenges in recent years. While tramping near Akaroa with six Scouts and a fellow leader, Sophia suffered a fall that broke her leg in three places. She watched her Scouts put their training into practice, staying calm as they worked with another leader to get help from the Air Rescue Team. “I am incredibly proud of my Scouts for staying calm and focused during the situation. They did everything further than I expected, even carrying me on top of the three heavy rucksacks up the hill.”
As a result of the accident, Sophia was later diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), and recovery has involved years of rehabilitation, learning to walk again and gradually returning to swimming.
She has also continued participating in Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue’s Back to Base fundraising challenge, adapting her goals as her recovery has progressed and celebrating every milestone along the way.
Now, after three years of recovery, Sophia is preparing for another new chapter.
“Since I cannot resume my previous job due to physical limitations, I will be searching for a new position, ideally in the disability field, as I enjoy helping others. I will also continue my Scouting activities, of course!”
Reflecting on the past 14 years, Sophia says her cochlear implant has helped her continue pursuing the things that matter most.
“It has allowed me to pursue my goals and cope with the challenges I have faced over the years. I am looking forward to the new challenges ahead of me.”
For anyone considering a cochlear implant, her message is one of encouragement and determination.
“Embrace challenges, stay open-minded, and avoid thinking, ‘I can’t do it.’ You can succeed; you just need to discover the right path to achieve your goals. Yes, society can be harsh and unkind, but you have the strength and will to push through. Connect with supportive individuals as you pursue your goals.”