Dr. Alexandra Adams has made history as the first DeafBlind doctor in the United Kingdom. Recently featured on the morning show ‘This Morning,’ she shared her remarkable journey towards achieving her medical degree, highlighting the significant barriers she had to overcome, primarily stemming from societal discrimination rather than her disabilities.
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Adams, 32, revealed that from a young age, she never viewed herself as different from her peers. However, her perspective shifted dramatically when she expressed her desire to attend medical school. “Suddenly, people began saying, ‘Oh, you can’t do that because you’re DeafBlind,’” she recounted during her appearance on the show, using the term preferred by those with concurrent hearing and vision impairments. Despite the challenges posed by these misconceptions, Adams chose to embrace what she perceived as a unique perspective contributing to her future career as a doctor.
Her aspiration to pursue medicine was born out of personal experience after several complications following a surgery led her to spend 17 months in the hospital. During this time, one particular doctor left a lasting impression on her. “She just asked me three simple words: ‘Are you okay?’” Adams recalled, sharing how the doctor’s empathetic approach helped her cope with fear and uncertainty. This level of compassion inspired Adams to dedicate her life to helping others and highlighting the role of empathy in healthcare.
The journey to becoming a doctor, however, did not come without considerable challenges. Adams highlighted that her disabilities were not the main obstacle; it was the discriminatory attitudes of others that presented the most significant hindrance. “Discrimination has been a big hurdle,” she stated firmly. “My disabilities haven’t been the obstacle in my medical degree.”
One of the questions often posed to her is how she manages to communicate effectively with patients. Adams explained that disability exists on a broad spectrum. Despite experiencing severe to profound hearing loss, she is able to have face-to-face conversations using a stethoscope. “I use a special Bluetooth stethoscope that connects to my hearing aids,” she clarified, noting that she can use the device without placing it in her ears. “It’s mind-blowing for young patients; they genuinely think I have super hearing.”
In terms of her vision challenges, sceptics often wonder how she can identify rashes or insert needles. Adams emphasised that when it comes to tasks such as inserting a cannula, it is about touch and feel. “Medical students are actually encouraged to look away or close their eyes during procedures, as the best practitioners rely on their sense of touch,” she explained, highlighting how her own sensory experiences are naturally heightened due to her sight loss.
To further inform and educate others about her capabilities and to dispel myths surrounding her disabilities, Adams has launched a myth-busting series on her Instagram account. She also described the various tools and technologies that assist her in her role as a doctor, which include radio aids and special pagers that vibrate or sound alarms through a personal mobile device.
As Adams looks to the future, she is contemplating a specialisation in either geriatric or palliative care, although she remains open to other possibilities. “It’s all about safety,” she emphasised. “I have to be realistic along the way, but I’m excited to see where my path leads.”
Alexandra Adams’ journey is a testament to resilience and determination, overcoming societal prejudices to achieve her dreams. Her story serves as an inspiration to many who may face similar challenges, showcasing the power of empathy in medicine and the potential of adaptive technologies in enhancing capabilities regardless of physical limitations. With her pioneering role as the UK’s first DeafBlind doctor, Adams continues to advocate for inclusivity within the healthcare system and beyond.