Deaf and partially sighted – but all set to become doctor
DESPITE being born completely deaf and with just 5% vision, Alexandra Adams is well on her way to becoming a doctor.
The 25-year-old, from Cardiff, has just entered her fourth year of medical school at Cardiff University – and is determined not to let her disabilities define her.
Alexandra also suffers with a muscular condition which has seen her admitted to intensive care more than 15 times in two years.
The severity of her disabilities mean she has always been discouraged from pursuing such a career.
“I have been asked constantly if I want to put myself through this, especially after some of the experiences I’ve had,” she said.
Alexandra said she vividly remembered being asked to leave one of her placements after a doctor questioned her capability.
“On my first day of placement, a doctor came up to me after knowing me for no more than two minutes and said, ‘Imagine you were a patient, how would you feel if it was a disabled doctor treating you?’ They sent me home.
“From that, I thought to myself, is it really worth me doing this?”
But Alexandra believes her experiences as a patient have only made her more determined to keep going.
“I think my experiences have shown me what makes a good doctor and what makes a bad doctor. As I like to say, ‘I may not have as much eyesight as most, but I have more insight than many.’
“No disability, background, ethnicity, etc. should stop you from being an NHS doctor. An NHS doctor can be all of those things.”
Before Alexandra developed the muscular condition, she had received sponsorship to compete in swimming in the 2012 Paralympics as part of Team GB.
Unfortunately, the frequency of her hospital admissions and the aggressive nature of her condition left her unable to continue training.
“It’s been a massive adjustment period for me. I’ve had to accept that I wouldn’t be able to carry on with that part of my life, it’s really frustrating.
“I don’t know what my body will be doing in 10 years, but for now I’m having to adapt.”
Alexandra has decided to continue her studies and specialise in palliative care rather than surgery as she finds some tasks difficult to perform.
“I’m currently the only student on my ward which is nice, and the staff on this placement have been particularly kind.
“It’s as simple as just printing something off with a bigger font, people don’t realise,” she said.
Alexandra said that sometimes the patients are more understanding and empathetic.
“They’re more curious than anything, they just seem to bypass the judgement.
“I had one patient who has dementia. When he saw my cane he was convinced it was a 9mm pistol – we had such a laugh.”
After being admitted to intensive care again earlier this year, Alexandra said that it has made her think about her options.
“You know, after being in hospital again, and using the summer to catch up, I feel like I haven’t had a break and am going to burn out.
“Because of this, I’ve decided to do the fourth year of the course as part time, and then will see how I feel at the end of the two years.
“I’m so determined, but this is the right decision for now.”
Alexandra has been invited to give a TEDxNHS talk about her life and experiences she has faced in the O2 Greenwich, London, tomorrow.