Alexandra Adams has become the UK's first deaf-blind doctor after completing more than a decade of medical training.
The 32-year-old, who has Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, also earned a master's degree in creative writing before beginning her medical career.
Adams hopes to specialize in palliative medicine while continuing to advocate for disability inclusion in healthcare.
Alexandra Adams has begun her medical career as the United Kingdom's first deaf-blind doctor after completing more than a decade of medical training. The 32-year-old from Kent, who was registered deaf-blind at birth and lives with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, recently earned both her medical degree and a master's degree in creative writing after overcoming years of health challenges and disability discrimination.
Adams spent more than a decade earning her medical qualification after first training as a swimmer for Great Britain with hopes of reaching the London 2012 Paralympics. Northeastern Global News reported that repeated hospitalizations and surgeries ended her sporting career, prompting her to consider medicine while receiving treatment. "It was whilst I was in the hospital bed that I was inspired to look into medicine as a career," Adams said.
During medical school, Adams documented her experience of studying while deaf-blind and living with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a rare inherited connective tissue disorder. She also said disability discrimination forced her to pause her studies just months before qualifying.
Speaking on ITV's This Morning, Adams described receiving both her medical degree and a master's degree in creative writing in the same week as "surreal" and "absolutely mad." She has now begun her medical career while continuing her work as a writer, public speaker, and disability advocate.
Despite being deaf-blind, Adams has used assistive technology to complete her clinical training and examine patients during medical placements. One TikTok video showing how her Bluetooth stethoscope connects directly to her hearing aids, allowing her to listen to patients' heartbeats, has been viewed more than 2.9 million times.
Her use of adaptive technology has drawn attention to how accessible tools can help remove barriers for healthcare professionals with disabilities. Speaking to This Morning, Adams said, "I'm starting work as a doctor next week – so a bit terrifying but so exciting and I'm just so happy."
According to her HFMA profile, Adams hopes to specialize in palliative medicine with a particular focus on patient-centred care while continuing to advocate for greater disability inclusion in healthcare.
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Beyond beginning her medical career, Adams continues to raise awareness about disability inclusion through public speaking, educational content on social media, and a memoir that documents her journey to becoming the UK's first deaf-blind doctor.
Claire Griffiths, lead of Northeastern University London's contemporary creative writing programme, said Adams had already demonstrated "the power of her writing" before joining the university. Griffiths added that the programme aimed to provide an environment where Adams could feel "comfortable, supported and encouraged by a community of fellow writers."
(Rh/TP/MSM)