WHILE other undergraduates were enjoying Freshers’ Week, Ruth Madeley was recovering from an operation to replace two metal rods that hold her spine together.
Three years later, the 21-year-old, who was born with spina bifida, has overcome medical hurdles and has just graduated with a First Class degree in English and creative writing from Edge Hill University.
Ruth, from Westhoughton, a former pupil of Thornleigh Salesian College in Sharples, recalled those early days when she first went to the university in Liverpool.
“I was so annoyed that the operation happened during my first week at university,” she said.
“The infection was painful, but I wasn’t going to let it stop me enjoying Freshers’ Week until I had the surgery.”
Ruth went with her fellow undergraduates to a traditional big night out at a club in Liverpool.
She partied until the early hours, before presenting herself at the hospital at 6am the following morning for the operation.
* Read more about Ruth's inspiration story in Monday's edition of The Bolton News.
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