School joy at success of disabled student (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

School joy at success of disabled student

4:20pm Saturday 20th March 2010

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A PROUD mum has spoken of her joy after her disabled daughter was accepted at a top college.

Harriet Hicks, 15, of Lechlade, was born with HDR syndrome, a genetic disorder which can cause fatigue, depression, hearing problems and kidney failure.

As well as hearing problems, Harriet is also partially sighted.

Her mum Deborah Clark spent years fighting to allow Harriet to stay in mainstream education and she attended both Fairford Primary School and then Farmer’s School where she said Harriet blossomed.

The teenager will sit her GCSE’s this summer and has been accepted to Hartpury College, to study animal care.

Mrs Clark paid tribute to staff at Farmor’s School and said: "I never thought I would see the day. Harriet has always wanted to work for the RSPCA so this is fantastic, I am so proud of her. She has proved all of her critics wrong."

Ros Dolton, deputy headteacher, said the school was extremely impressed with the progress Harriet has made.

Harriet told the Standard: "To be accepted to college is brilliant, it’s all I’ve ever wanted. I want to say a big thank you to my teachers."

She said that although it had been worth all the hard work to be able to start her new course in September.

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