Gutsy Charlotte living the dream

Charlotte Faragher

CHARLOTTE Faragher is living the dream at Lancaster University after scoring top notch A-Level results at Oldham Sixth-Form College.

The 18-year-old of Winslade Close, Watersheddings, has had cerebral palsy since childhood and was helped by a team of carers during her time at college, where she achieved A grades in film studies, English literature and sociology.

Common symptoms of cerebral palsy can include stiff or floppy limbs, problems with balance and co-ordination, difficulty walking and talking, visual and hearing problems.

But the gutsy teenager has never let anything stand in her way and it’s this determination that has earned her a Pride in Oldham nomination.

Just a few weeks before Charlotte started college in September, 2007, her older brother, Andrew, was killed in a car crash.

Charlotte, who is studying film and cultural studies, said: “We were very close and his death was very difficult but it made me determined to do well, realise my dreams and make him proud.

“He would have been really pleased to see me getting three As and going to university so I thought ‘if you can’t do it for yourself, do it for him’ and I worked really hard. All my achievements are for him.”

Charlotte hates it when people treat her like “a charity case” or act overly sympathetic towards her.

She added: “I want people to notice the things I have achieved rather than feel sorry for me and I want to be a good role model for people my age.

“I have carers who take notes for me during lectures at university and my electric wheelchair has given me lots more mobility and independence.”

While Charlotte admits that university is a bit of a struggle at the moment she acknowledges that such a big life change would be difficult for anyone and is throwing herself into university life only popping home occasionally to see mum Fiona, dad Neil and brother Keiron.