Graeme Clark

Book excerpt: As a young man, Graeme Clark read about Louis Pasteur, Marie Curie and other great scientists, little knowing that one day he would join their ranks. After watching his father struggle with hearing problems, Graeme knew he wanted to find a solution to deafness. Graeme became a surgeon, and his quiet persistence and methodical approach yielded results that fulfilled his childhood dream. Around the world, hundreds of thousands of people have now received the gift of hearing from the cochlear implant he developed. The first major medical 'bionic' implant technology, it has transformed the everyday lives of people who are profoundly deaf. Throughout his career, his belief that the impossible could be achieved, his strong family support and his Christian faith have sustained him through many obstacles, and helped him overcome resistance to his ideas from people who doubted them. This new biography tells the inspiring story of Graeme's life, and the triumphs and the setbacks behind the invention of the bionic ear. 'I found Mark Worthing's story of Graeme Clark moving and inspiring. It captures the spirit of a truly amazing man who changed the life of our daughter and of many thousands of others in the world.' - Li Cunxin, author of Mao's Last Dancer 'An interesting and sometimes moving biography of a fascinating scientific pioneer who helped to bring hearing to the profoundly deaf.' - Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society and Nobel Laureate