University of Northampton occupational therapy graduate Rhys is a first-class credit to the profession

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‘It was a surprise to receive the award but a happy one – I knew something was going to be sprung on me, but not that! – but it symbolises and solidifies all the effort I put in’

People who thought a disability would ruin one man’s shot at education have been proven wrong now he’s achieved a top class allied health degree.

Rhys Walden, who comes from Northampton, also has cerebral palsy a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and coordination, and first encountered occupational therapy after his Mum had a brain haemorrhage.

When she was discharged from hospital, the friendly ‘OT’ helped her adapt to getting the most out of life until she fully recovered. Rhys says: “Mum and Dad had adapted their garage years before to allow me to remain living at home with more room, but now they had the input of a professional occupational therapist when mum needed help. They supported mum with managing her daily routines and implemented adaptations in the home to help her engage in activities. She’s still at home and is now back working, but the ‘OT’s’ input in those early days was something that captured my attention.”

Rhys Walden and occupational therapy 'bed buttons'.

Rhys was a late bloomer for university, having had a knock-back after being told his disability meant he’d never be able to go into higher education. But Rhys is a man who is up for a challenge – and tackling it – after being bitten by the ‘OT bug’. He continues: “I’ve known of the UON course for some time as friends of mine are graduates, but academia was never my strong point. I was never predicted good grades; in fact, I was told at school and college to just do as well as I could.

“I have cerebral palsy hydrocephalus (a blockage in the brain) which means I have irregularities in my cerebral spinal fluid. Because of this, I had some brain damage as a child that left me with a mild learning disability, but I’ve never let that hold me back.

“My parents have been the driving force behind me my entire life. They taught me that, if things are a challenge, that it is really an opportunity in disguise with the potential for personal growth. University was always going to be on the table if I wanted it. And I wanted to become an occupational therapist with University of Northampton.”