Jérémy Gabriel sang perfectly in the WA WA Shriners Temple in Regina on Saturday.
The 16-year-old teen from Quebec City was born deaf. At six-months of age, he was diagnosed with Treacher Collins Syndrome, which causes head and facial deformities, as well as absent or malformed ears.
Through treatment at the Shriners Hospital for Children, Gabriel received an implant that allowed him to hear.
Being able to hear for the first time, Gabriel was fascinated with sound and discovered he could sing.
From there, his singing career has grown. He was performed for both Céline Dion and the Pope, while recording two albums and co-authoring a book.
On Saturday, he performed in Regina as part of his role as one of the Shriners Hospitals for Children patient ambassadors for 2012-2013. As a patient ambassador, Gabriel shares his story in order to inspire others and raise awareness for the hospital system.
During his performance in Regina, Gabriel sang several songs, including “Hallelujah” and “Tears from Heaven,” – no small feat for someone who was born completely deaf.
