Paramedic with titanium spine shares her journey to inspire others

A determined paramedic who overcame a serious spinal condition requiring titanium rods to support her back is sharing her remarkable journey to inspire others.

Phoebe Grace, 26, hopes her story will show that physical challenges don’t have to limit your ambitions.

Phoebe was just 15 when she was diagnosed with scoliosis – a sideways curvature of the spine most found in adolescents.

It’s a relatively common condition, affecting an estimated 2–3% of the UK population, with most cases having no known cause. Around 25% of those diagnosed require spinal fusion surgery to prevent further progression and protect vital organs.

Initially treated with a spinal brace worn 23 hours a day for a year, the discomfort and bruising were constant.

Unfortunately, the brace wasn’t enough to slow the progression of the curve, which threatened to compress her organs and reduce her lung capacity.

Just two weeks after completing her GCSEs, Phoebe underwent a six-hour spinal fusion surgery at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, part of Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.

Surgeons fused her spine from the T4 to L4 vertebrae – essentially from just below her collarbones to her lower back – using titanium rods to stabilise her spine.

Phoebe documented her surgery and recovery in a YouTube video titled Scoliosis Surgery Journey, sharing the physical and emotional challenges she faced.

The surgery left her unable to bend her spine and only able to hinge at the hips – but it also made her two inches taller.

Despite the limitations, Phoebe refused to let her condition define her. She adapted her lifestyle and even took up weightlifting to build strength and support her recovery. She had previously been a competitive swimmer.

Her passion for helping others led her to a role as an emergency department assistant, where she was inspired by the ambulance crews she saw in action.

Although her family initially had concerns about the physical demands of the ambulance service, Phoebe was undeterred.

She joined the East of England Ambulance Service four years ago as an apprentice emergency technician at Southend Ambulance Station and, just two weeks after qualifying in that role, was accepted onto the paramedic degree apprenticeship programme that the Trust runs with the University of Cumbria.

In April 2025, Phoebe graduated with first-class honours in her paramedic degree – her second first-class degree, having previously earned one in sport and exercise science.

She now plans to pursue a master’s degree in critical care and aspires to become a HEMS critical care paramedic with an air ambulance charity.

Phoebe said:

“I want people to see that challenges don’t have to be limitations – and to highlight what differently abled bodies can achieve in this field and beyond.

“I love my job in the ambulance service, and I believe my experiences bring a unique empathy to my interactions with patients.

“I’m sharing my personal story in the hope that it will help others with physical challenges.”

Jonathan Lucas, orthopaedic and spinal consultant at Guy’s and St Thomas’, was the surgeon who led Phoebe’s care when she was a child.

He said:

“It’s wonderful – but not surprising – to see Phoebe’s healthcare career is flourishing. Despite her challenges, Phoebe has been determined and driven in her ambitions, while remaining caring and compassionate to others. I have no doubt she’ll go on to achieve all her goals and more, and I wish her all the very best.”

Karyn Campbell-Woodward, EEAST's local area manager at Southend Ambulance Station, said:

“Phoebe personal journey is truly inspiring. I had no idea what she had overcome to pursue her dream career. I am so pleased she is sharing her story to raise awareness and encourage others to follow their dreams. It is a reminder that physical challenges don’t define capability. Personal experience allows Phoebe to deliver compassionate care with empathy which enriches the support she provides to patients.

“We’re incredibly proud to have her at Southend and excited to see where her career takes her next.”