The Start
I began my education by going to the local village infant and primary schools. I don’t remember my disability being much of an issue and I learnt to adapt to my limitations. I had physio when the other kids had PE and I joined in with the playground antics just like the others.
And Then
When it came to my Secondary education it meant moving away to boarding school. My local comprehensive was not wheelchair accessible so I went to a Barnardo’s special school. It was only 18 miles away and I went home at weekends but I got very homesick! I wasn’t stretched academically by my peers since I was the brightest in the class but did learn how to live with others and ‘life skills’ like washing up! It was here that I found my entreprenurial spirit by starting up the tuck shop and organising regular disco’s. One day I got told off by the Principal for making too much profit.
Exams
Just as I was about to start my GCSE’s Barnardo’s decided to close the school and so I moved to a comprehensive school in the same town. I continued to board at Barnardo’s for a year before going to a Social Services hostel for people with physical and sensory disabilities where I later spent my college years. Going to the new school was by far the best move I had made since I was with other kids that challenged my thinking and I was stretched by the teachers. I had a personal care assistant with me at school but I was very independent and my friends helped me a lot.
College
I did well in my GCSE’s and went onto 6th Form College. I had a Personal Care Assistant provided by the college and they built ramps to make getting about easier. I started studying Computer Science and an Advanced GNVQ in Business but later dropped computing and elected to study additional business modules. I graduated with Distinction. My friend and I organised a charitable fashion show after her visit to a Children’s Orphanage in Goa, India. My entrepreneurial streak was showing through again and I negotiated with national retailers, restaurateurs, venues and the media to put on a fantastic show for just £70.
University
I went onto Derby University to study a Bachelors degree in Marketing Management. I lived in Halls of Residence and had 24×7 Personal Care Assistant’s provided through an agency. I graduated with a 2:1.
What Next?
If I do go onto study a Postgraduate course it’ll be an MBA — Harvard I should think!
