Dogged Determination Pays off for Graduate Michelle

29 October 2010

Three-year-old guide dog Kinta didn’t look out of place when his owner collected her degree - after having his own graduation gown made for the occasion.

Golden retriever Kinta has lived every university experience with BSc (Hons) Addictive Behaviours student Michelle Hughes, 38, of Chester.

And determined that he shouldn’t miss out on sharing in success, she had a graduation robe custom-made for him to wear when she picked up her award at Glyndŵr University on Thursday.

Michelle, who is partially sighted, said: “Kinta is just fantastic - he’s my safety net, my back-up system and I don’t think I’d have got through university without him. He’s been there through all the stressful times – and he was always exceptional in class too.

“When I found out that I’d passed and would be graduating one of my friends, Myra, said how nice it would be for Kinta to have a gown as well. She took all the time and trouble to contact the tailors, Ede and Ravenscroft, to get one made."

Michelle, originally of Little Acton, Wrexham, said the graduation ceremony marked one of the proudest moments of her life. Shortly after beginning her course, she was diagnosed with dyslexia and Irlens syndrome, a condition which affects the way the brain processes visual information.

“I still can’t believe I’ve graduated,” she added. “I was born and raised in Wrexham and it means the world to me to have achieved a degree in my home town. It’s been such a challenge and because of my eyesight I got very frustrated so many times along the way. But I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of Kinta, my family and so many people at the university who have made it possible – Myra Walker, Jane Edwards, Victoria Woodward, Carol Blake, Susie Wighton and Phillippa Owen.

“If a registered blind person with dyslexia and Irlens syndrome can achieve a degree there is hope for everyone.”

Michelle is now looking forward to a week-long holiday in Portugal to celebrate her graduation – before embarking on some new career adventures.

“Now that I’ve got my degree I want to make sure I use it. I’m hoping to brush up on my Braille skills – maybe to teach it – and I want to look into doing some social work.”

Ends