Miss-Delectable
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A BLIND and virtually deaf student with a rare genetic disorder has graduated from university with a first-class honours degree.
A BLIND and virtually deaf student with a rare genetic disorder has graduated from university with a first-class honours degree.
It took Keri Chambers five years to complete her degree in mathematics and statistics, using study material in braille.
But this week the 24-year-old, of Ilkeston, said it was all worthwhile after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University.
Keri said: "I really pleased with myself and I'm glad I managed to do it despite my difficulties.
"I really enjoy maths and algebra and solving problems. To know your work has paid off is a wonderful feeling."
It was a struggle for Keri, a former pupil at St Benedict Catholic School and Performing Arts College, in Darley Abbey.
She withdrew from the course temporarily during her first year because she said she was not receiving the right study notes and was falling behind.
But she rejoined the university eight months later and completed the rest of her course over the next four years, working three days each week.
Keri, of Queen's Avenue, was diagnosed with Didmoad – an acronym of its symptoms: diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy and deafness – in 1992.
Since she was 11, she has always wanted to go to university and, on Tuesday, celebrated her success with fellow students during the graduation ceremony at Sheffield City Hall.
"All I had aimed for was to do the best that I could and, if that meant a 2:1 or a 2:2 degree, then so be it," she said.
Didmoad, also known as Wolfram syndrome, is a degenerative disease of the nervous system.
Diabetes insipidus means Keri's kidneys cannot process water and diabetes mellitus means her blood sugar levels are extremely low.
She also suffers from optic atrophy, or degenerative eyesight, and deafness.
In addition to this, Keri suffers from chronic fatigue, ataxia – a difficulty with balance due to nerves in her ear being affected – and lowered immunity. Her brother Alex, 26, also suffers from Didmoad.
Keri said: "I've struggled a bit with my health last year.
"My iron levels were really low and I had to overcome a reaction to the swine flu jab.
"I was also getting more and more stressed when I got further and further behind in my first year and I realised in the January that I couldn't carry on.
"I was disappointed at the time but it meant there was time to put everything in place and, although I wasn't always well enough to go to university, I'm really pleased with what I achieved."
Keri said she was still deciding what she was going to do next.
She said: "At the moment, I'm doing work experience teaching braille, which is great because I enjoy helping others with the skills I've gained."
A BLIND and virtually deaf student with a rare genetic disorder has graduated from university with a first-class honours degree.
It took Keri Chambers five years to complete her degree in mathematics and statistics, using study material in braille.
But this week the 24-year-old, of Ilkeston, said it was all worthwhile after graduating from Sheffield Hallam University.
Keri said: "I really pleased with myself and I'm glad I managed to do it despite my difficulties.
"I really enjoy maths and algebra and solving problems. To know your work has paid off is a wonderful feeling."
It was a struggle for Keri, a former pupil at St Benedict Catholic School and Performing Arts College, in Darley Abbey.
She withdrew from the course temporarily during her first year because she said she was not receiving the right study notes and was falling behind.
But she rejoined the university eight months later and completed the rest of her course over the next four years, working three days each week.
Keri, of Queen's Avenue, was diagnosed with Didmoad – an acronym of its symptoms: diabetes insipidus, diabetes mellitus, optic atrophy and deafness – in 1992.
Since she was 11, she has always wanted to go to university and, on Tuesday, celebrated her success with fellow students during the graduation ceremony at Sheffield City Hall.
"All I had aimed for was to do the best that I could and, if that meant a 2:1 or a 2:2 degree, then so be it," she said.
Didmoad, also known as Wolfram syndrome, is a degenerative disease of the nervous system.
Diabetes insipidus means Keri's kidneys cannot process water and diabetes mellitus means her blood sugar levels are extremely low.
She also suffers from optic atrophy, or degenerative eyesight, and deafness.
In addition to this, Keri suffers from chronic fatigue, ataxia – a difficulty with balance due to nerves in her ear being affected – and lowered immunity. Her brother Alex, 26, also suffers from Didmoad.
Keri said: "I've struggled a bit with my health last year.
"My iron levels were really low and I had to overcome a reaction to the swine flu jab.
"I was also getting more and more stressed when I got further and further behind in my first year and I realised in the January that I couldn't carry on.
"I was disappointed at the time but it meant there was time to put everything in place and, although I wasn't always well enough to go to university, I'm really pleased with what I achieved."
Keri said she was still deciding what she was going to do next.
She said: "At the moment, I'm doing work experience teaching braille, which is great because I enjoy helping others with the skills I've gained."
