This is for you, son!

INSPIRED . . . Joanne Turner with the head of UCO careers service, Stephen Boyd

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

OLDHAM was today toasting the achievements of its latest crop of graduates in a cap and gown ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth Hall.

A total of 221 University Campus Oldham students were due to receive their degrees, including a record 29 with first-class honours. We found some inspirational stories among them

A MUM inspired by her son’s battle with meningitis was picking up her first-class honours degree today.

Charlie Jackson-Turner was nine months old when he was rushed to hospital with the potentially fatal disease.

He suffered a stroke, which caused epilepsy and learning difficulties, and made mum Joanne Turner determined to do everything possible to help him.

The 36-year-old from Royton completed a psychological studies degree at University Campus Oldham while juggling part-time work with professional services firm Price Waterhouse Coopers and looking after her son, now 11.

And she was not only receiving first-class honours at today’s graduation ceremony at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, but also the school campus award for the highest grade in 2010/11.

Joanne, a former Crompton House pupil, explained: “Charlie was poorly for about a week. When he was rushed to A&E after having a fit they found out it was meningitis. He suffered a stroke and spent nearly three months in Pendlebury Children’s Hospital.”

Charlie, who attends Royton Hall Primary School, is preparing to move to New Bridge Special School in the autumn.

Joanne added: “It is all the additional things that come with meningitis. There is a high risk of developing other conditions, which Charlie did.

“The more I learn the more I know and the more doors I can open to help Charlie.

“I don’t see myself as doing anything different to what any mother would do in a similar situation. Embrace it and learn more has always been my view.”

Joanne has been accepted on to a conversion programme for graduates wantintg to become professional psychologists.

She then hopes to do a doctorate specialising in child and adolescent mental health.

Joanne is also training as a volunteer with the Community Pay Back scheme for young offenders and added: “There’s a longer term vision then just doing a degree for the sake of it.

“From my perspective, if I can use what I’ve learnt with Charlie, my job and everything else and take it forward to help other people then that’s what I want to do.”

Lecturer Dr Susanna Kola paid tribute to Joanne and said:

“I believe these academic results are a testament to the successful balance of the various roles she has.

“Joanne possesses good communications skills, is reliable, flexible and committed — she is an inspiration to anyone!”