Bev Rainford
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Talented doctor's special calling
Caption; Our Hero: Award-winning, hearing-impaired Dr Beverley Rainford with sons Henry and Charlie and husband David. Picture: Brenton Edwards
By Kara Phillips
Surviving medical school is tough.
But try imagining the experience while hearing only muffled sounds and long patches of silence.
That was the reality for Beverley Rainford, who suffered a severe hearing impairment at school and through university.
"It was a battle," Dr Rainford said> "I used to have to record my lectures and replay them at home.
"Tutorials were a nightmare. It was near impossible - everyone's voices would just blur into each other.
"My hearing aides were constantly updated, but for much of the time I relied on lipreading."
Dr Rainford received little to no help as a schoolgirl and was treated no differently to any other student during six years at university. "I was told straight off not to expect any special treatment and I got no help," she said.
"I don't think they ever believed I would make it through."
Now, with the support of a loving family - including sons Henry, 10, Charlie 7 and husband David Edwards - Dr Rainford has become a successful Adelaide GP.
In 2002, she received an ear implant.
"It's been amazing - life changing," she said. "I can actually have a conversation on the phone now."
Dr Rainford last week was awarded the Hearing Australia High Achievement Medal. The award also recognised Dr Rainford's work as a spokeswoman for the Cochlear Implant Support Association, as well as her role as a team doctor at this year's Deaflympics in Melbourne.