Louis’ School Days: Week 11: So school is finished, now what?

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Well, that was the question that finally got me; “What are you going to do if you don’t go to university?” This was during my first year of doing my A-Levels.

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The idea of going to university scared me for a few reasons, leaving home, taking on the debt and the fact partying was apparently a selling point... I think leaving home was the key point though and I’m sure many others with and without a disability felt similarly.

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Academically I was very strong, and Theresa from Cornwall Council believed it would give me the best opportunity for the future. She spent a lot of time talking to me about it. She joined me on a school trip to visit Cardiff University and I think may have taken me to Plymouth University too for a look around. I guess that is what she had partly in mind when arranging those life skills lessons in earlier years. Oh, she tracked down a blind guy who had gone to university a couple years before as well to meet me and provide further encouragement! To say I felt the pressure, was an understatement!

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I was intractable until that killer question came up. Quite frankly, I had no idea what I’d do as an alternative and whilst I was really scared that is the avenue I took.

Mum and Dad didn’t have a strong view, but Dad had made it clear for years that once I and my sister left school we would need to be working or else we wouldn’t be living under his roof! University just seemed the most natural option.

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I am so thankful that Theresa was so persistent, as she didn’t need to be. I guess the objective of this article is to share that it is important to encourage children to be the best they can. It also may take a bit more given the additional fears/concerns they might have. My mobility instruction and life skills did help to prepare me, but I’m sure you can all appreciate that being on my own in an unfamiliar city when you can’t see your surroundings well and haven’t fended for yourself is going to be a little scary.

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Everyone who was so key to my great education did all they could to support me to prepare for this next step. Mum & Dad said it was heart wrenching to leave me in my student halls, but whilst it was probably the hardest thing I have ever done, it all worked out fine in the end.

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Let’s face it my career would have looked very different, and I would not be as independent as I am today without taking this step.

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#Education #Disability #DisabilityInclusion #VisualImpairment #SightLoss #SpecialEducationalNeeds #SecondarySchool