Alexandra Adams: Britain's First Deafblind Doctor

A patient learning how to live with deafness and blindness left the hospital with a decision that changed the course of her life: to become a doctor. After more than a decade of study and training, along with associated health crises and experiences of discrimination, Alexandra Adams became in 2026 the first deafblind doctor in Britain. Born deaf and blind, Alexandra had been competing in sports since her teenage years; she trained in swimming as part of a sports pathway that led her to represent Britain in disability sports, before health problems derailed that path. During long hospital stays due to complex health issues, including a 17-month admission, Alexandra said she was accepted to study medicine, only for the offer to be withdrawn later because of her disability. She reapplied and secured a place at Cardiff University, embarking on a study and training journey that spanned more than ten years, marked by health setbacks and other obstacles. The challenge was not limited to theoretical study but extended to practical tasks in hospitals. Alexandra benefited from accommodations and assistive technologies that enabled her to perform medical duties, including a Bluetooth-enabled stethoscope that connects to her hearing aids.