Adam was born profoundly deaf and began learning sign language at ten months. At two-and-a-half he was fitted with a cochlear implant but for the next six years he continued to endure painful ear infections requiring numerous visists to hospital. Adam's most recent infection in February destroyed his ability to hear in his implanted ear so his parents began to teach him sign language again. However, Adam was determined to communicate through lip reading and, despite not being able to hear his own voice, he took part in his school play and has auditioned for a Christmas production.

Adam has had a second implant fitted and is waiting to see whether it will restore his sense of hearing. Whatever the future holds for Adam, his mum Deborah has great faith in his fortitude. She says: "He is amazing and always smiling".