Success for student with ME (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Success for student with ME

FOUR years ago student Rose Godwin was diagnosed with ME - an incurable condition which made her housebound.

But her determination to fight the painful illness has resulted in success.

Rose, 19, of Ready Token, near Cirencester, has passed an A2 module with flying colours.

Mum Helen said: "She did a distance learning module in English Literature and got 90 out of 90.

"We were so excited when we found out on Thursday."

The symptoms of ME (Myalgic Encephalopathy) include muscle pain, extreme exhaustion, sensitivity to noise, light and changes in temperature, severe headaches, stomach and digestive problems, disturbed sleep patterns and mood swings.

Rose, who went to Farmor's School in Fairford, was diagnosed with the illness after suffering from a bad case of flu.

In 2001, she collapsed and was not able to walk. While her friends were out socialising she was housebound.

Helen added: "She's much better now. She was on crutches then and she's walking now.

"The distance course meant she could study in her own time and there were no set assignments. If she was having a bad week she didn't have to do any work.

"It has been hard for Rose, especially seeing her contemporaries going off to university, but she'll get there, she's so determined, and I'm very proud of her."

The family wants to thank the Ernest Cook Trust and Cirencester Round table for providing funds which enabled them to buy a computer for Rose.