*** Trailblazing with Grace: Dr. Esraa Al-Bably’s Journey from Hearing Loss to Global Impact | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Trailblazing with Grace: Dr. Esraa Al-Bably’s Journey from Hearing Loss to Global Impact

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

Dr. Esraa Al-Bably is not just Bahrain’s first dentist with hearing loss — she’s also the nation’s first to take her voice, her story, and her message all the way to the United Nations. With a heart full of determination and a smile that speaks volumes, she continues to inspire countless people across the world.

Born with hearing loss in both ears, Dr. Esraa defied expectations and overcame countless challenges to pursue her passion for dentistry. In an exclusive interview with Daily Tribune, she opened up about the journey that shaped her — a story not of limitation, but of strength, perseverance, and faith.

 “People asked why I chose dentistry — as if it were strange for someone like me to dream,” she recalled.

“But for me, dentistry was where science and art met. I followed my heart, and I never believed in the word ‘impossible.’”

Though the road wasn’t easy, she refused to let society’s assumptions define her. What hurt more than the struggle itself, she said, were the looks — the quiet judgments that suggested she didn’t belong in a doctor’s coat.

 “People tried to convince me that our dreams have limits — but dreams are planted by God, and they are never planted in vain.”

Today, with two master’s degrees — one in Dental Surgery and another in Public Health — Dr. Esraa sees her career as more than just treating patients. Her work bridges science with empathy. Her clinic is a space of trust, and her patients, she says, are like friends.

Dr. Esraa describes her hearing loss not as a setback, but as a gift. It allowed her to connect deeply with others in ways most wouldn’t imagine — reading lips, observing body language, and listening with the heart.

 “God didn’t take anything from me — He gave me a different way to connect. My loss built me, not broke me.”

From her earliest school days, she found herself drawn to the stage — not for attention, but to be heard. That dream came full circle when she was invited to speak at the United Nations, where she carried not only her story but the spirit of Bahrain with her.

 “I proudly said: I am Israa, from Bahrain — a country that stood by me and proved that inclusion is not just policy, it’s compassion.”

She spoke of Bahrain’s pioneering inclusive education laws, of teachers who never treated her differently, and of a society that believed in her potential. That belief, she says, shaped who she is today.

Driven by that same belief, Dr. Israa founded her initiative, “No to Classification, Yes to Inclusion”, calling for a world that values every individual without labels or limits.

 “We are not here to be divided,” she says. “We are here to grow together — to be one ocean, not separated by the waves of judgment.”

Lip-reading, a skill she developed over time, became a bridge instead of a barrier. She trained herself to understand others not just with words, but with presence, patience, and purpose.

 “I didn’t want to stand outside life looking in. I wanted to live it fully — and I do.”

Today, Dr. Esraa continues to work on both local and international fronts to advocate for inclusivity in education, healthcare, and society. Her message is simple but powerful: every individual, regardless of ability, deserves to dream big, live fully, and be treated with dignity.

 “Everything is possible,” she says. “More than possible — when we believe in ourselves, even when the world doesn’t.”

Dr. Esraa a Al-Bably isn’t just a dentist. She’s a storyteller, a trailblazer, and a voice for thousands who, like her, believe that difference is not a weakness — it’s a strength waiting to shine.