Deaf Medic’s Emotional Gift to Mentor Who Changed Her Life
By Community Correspondent
A deaf ambulance medic has handed over her England rugby shirt in an emotional thank you to the mentor who helped her rebuild her confidence.
Zoe Cox, who works for the London Ambulance Service, surprised paramedic Richard Webb Stevens with the very first England Deaf Women’s shirt she ever wore — a powerful symbol of how far she’s come.
The moment marked a full-circle journey for Zoe, who only discovered she was deaf during the COVID-19 pandemic, when face masks suddenly made lip-reading impossible.
That’s when Richard stepped in.
Also deaf, and with decades of frontline experience, he helped Zoe navigate both her diagnosis and the reality of continuing a career in emergency care.
Presenting him with the shirt, Zoe said:
“You’ve not only been a constant source of reassurance and strength, but also a true role model for the deaf community – showing what’s possible with compassion, dedication, and leadership.
“Your understanding, guidance, and encouragement – both professionally and personally – have made a lasting difference, and I’m truly grateful.”
The pair were reunited at the start of Deaf Awareness Week — a meeting described as both joyful and emotional.
Zoe, who now wears hearing aids after being diagnosed with severe hearing loss in both ears in 2020, had spent years unknowingly relying on lip-reading and body language. At school, it often led to misunderstandings.
But on the sports field, everything clicked.
After switching from football to rugby, she quickly rose through the ranks — earning her first international cap for England Deaf Women in August 2024.
Even then, doubts lingered. Zoe worried her hearing loss might stand in the way of the job she loved.
Good News Post
Richard proved otherwise.
Born with profound hearing loss, he had once been turned away from joining the Army. Instead, he built a groundbreaking career with the ambulance service — becoming the UK’s first deaf paramedic to work on an air ambulance and later a motorcycle paramedic.
In 2022, his work was recognised with the Queen’s Ambulance Medal.
Today, he continues to support others following in his footsteps — including Zoe.
He said:
“I’ve seen Zoe thrive in the ambulance service and in her rugby. I’m hugely proud of her – she’s achieving so much.
“She is an incredible ambassador for the deaf community and the ambulance service. And I am overwhelmed by her gift to me – I’m a massive rugby fan so this is perfect.”
For Zoe, the shirt wasn’t just memorabilia — it was a thank you to the person who helped her see what was still possible.
