#49: Overcoming The Odds with Alexandra Adams

16 Mar 2020

On the podcast today I have the great pleasure of introducing you to Alexandra Adams, who quite simply really is one of the most amazing and special people that I have ever met.

I’m so delighted to be able to share this episode with you at this time - I know it’s really challenging times for all of us right now and hopefully listening to this episode can give you even a small bit of inspiration and hope.

I can guarantee that you will not fail to be inspired, amazed and in awe by this young lady - she is incredible and is certainly making waves in the field of medicine with her approach and dedication and I’m sure you’re going to hear a lot more about Alexandra in the coming months and years.

Alexandra is a 4th year medical student at Cardiff University, and is the UK’s first deaf-blind person training to become a doctor - that in itself is almost beyond comprehension isn’t it!

But there is more - an ex-GB athlete in both swimming and alpine skiing, a published poet and a TED talker (TEDxNHS). Alexandra is also a lifelong patient of the NHS, having been in hospital for 1.5 years as a teenager, and having had 17 admissions to Intensive Care since the start of medical school,

However Alexandra is also a victim - she shares with us her experiences of discrimination whilst being a patient and as a medical student but yet, still takes time to push for better equality, diversity and inclusivity in the workplace - incredible isn’t it!

Do take some time to listen to this podcast in it’s entirety - you are going to love this one!

And you absolutely must check out Alexandra’s incredible ted talk by clicking on this link here and do have a look at the amazing organisation and project that she runs called Faces of the NHS’ by clicking on this link here  - which hopes to remove stereotypes in the NHS.

All other social media links are noted below here.

Make sure you check out the recipe I made for Alexandra too on The Doctor’s Kitchen YouTube Channel

We would love to get your feedback on the subject matter of these episodes - please do let me know on our social media pages (Instagram, Facebook & Twitter) what you think,and give us a 5* rating on your podcast player if you enjoyed today’s episode

And don’t forget to subscribe to The Doctor’s Kitchen newsletter for weekly science based recipes and tips to help you live the healthiest and happiest lifestyle possible.

REFERENCES

"As soon as you see something visible, such as a white cane or hearing aids - people automatically assume you are incapable".

Alexandra Adams

 
Wow just wow - thats certainly an incredible conversation and I know you will have loved this episode and cannot fail to have been inspired by Alexandra Adams as much as I have been.
Sometimes listening to stories like this can make us stop and think about what we really have and how grateful we are for even such simple things in life such as seeing and hearing - but heres Alexandra who has less of those senses than most people, yet against the odds she really is on an incredible journey and has been so determined and resilient to get where she is today and I do see a very bright future ahead!
As Alexandra says, anything is possible, nothing is impossible!
Remember, do go and check out Alexandras TED talk on YouTube and give her a follow on social media for sure!
 
Have a look at the video on YouTube that I cooked with Alexandra below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbfk2u7seIw

GUEST: Alexandra Adams

Alexandra is a 4 th year medical student at Cardiff University, and is the UK’s first deafblind person training to become a doctor. An ex-GB athlete in both swimming and alpine skiing, a published poet and a TED talker (TEDxNHS), Alexandra often spends her free time outside of Medicine in public speaking, sharing stories of her life, plus both the challenges and triumphs she has faced in the process. A lifelong patient of the NHS, having been in hospital for 1.5 years as a teenager, and having had 17 admissions to Intensive Care since the start of medical school, Alexandra also shares her experiences of being a patient and how this has helped her advocate for better patient care through empathy. In addition, Alexandra also advocates for better equality, diversity and inclusivity in the workforce, having faced ongoing discrimination towards her disabilities through training. She continues to be heavily involved in promoting better wellbeing and positive culture change in the workplace. One way in which she is promoting this is through her nationwide photography campaign, ‘Faces of the NHS’, which hopes to remove stereotypes in the NHS. Alexandra is near to completing the writing of her first book; a memoir which covers all of her journey above. Outside of medical training and her speaking commitments, Alexandra enjoys cooking, travelling, photography, playing the piano and art.  

Resources & Media Links:

Instagram: Link below & @facesofthenhs Twitter: Link below &  @FacesoftheNHS Blog: https://setting-sights.blog Faces of the NHS video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRepiwmZJJM The Times : https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/healing-touch-of-deaf-and-blind-doctor-to-be-60lpp7twt

with Alexandra Adams
Print
Share:

get started

The Doctor’s Kitchen App

Download our app to get access to all of our recipes, with specific suggestions tailored to your health needs.

SUBSCRIBE

Free 7 day meal plan

Sign up to our newsletter and receive a free copy of our breakfast, lunch and dinner plan to kick start your healthy eating.