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CATHERINE'S STORY
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My name is Catherine. I have dyspraxia. I was diagnosed when I was 20, I am now 21. I am the youngest child of 5. I suppose I was born with dyspraxia, as my development was always much slower than my siblings. It was – until I came to learn to read and write. My reading was 18 months ahead of my age group, my writing was getting worse as I tried to “chacacterise” my script.
I did well in History, Chemistry, Biology, French and English in school. Possibly as a result of bullying I finished my high school education badly.
Immediately after school I secured a job at a veterinary surgery as a trainee Veterinary Nurse. I left after 13 months; staff members changed and I could not change with them.
I went to Reaseheath College in Crewe studying Animal care while I was employed, but I refused to quit when I left my job. I changed to another animal care course and I left with good marks after two years study.
I started at St Helen’s college after a few months and began my BTEC 1st Diploma, again in Animal care and passed. I’d had a job offer from a surgery in South Wales as a temporary trainee Veterinary Nurse.
The job lasted 5 weeks. I could not settle. The employer noticed a problem and asked if I was dyslexic.
I returned to St Helen’s to start the two-year BTEC National Diploma in Animal care, was tested for dyslexia, it showed I had a problem so the college requested a Educational Psychologist's assessment. About 6 months later, an EP gave me the test. It was definite. I was dyspraxic. This was it. Finally, I knew the reason for my struggles in school and why it felt incomplete and empty.
May 2003
I am about 8 weeks off finishing my National Diploma.
Ideas on what to do next are being made, nothing definite yet
Friends continue to support me, as I do them. But as they are not dyspraxic, they can’t answer questions on the subject.
I have a concert in June and I’m looking forward to it as I’m doing something that challenges my dyspraxia – singing solo. I’m working hard on the songs to get the timing right! Hopefully, I can place more plans from this within regard to work.
Update of Cathy’s story
June 2003
Studies prove stressful but I’m almost finished. I’m nursing various animals in the college’s animal unit and enjoying myself, supervising various cases.
Concert goes well, a lot of encouragement from friends. Would like to sing again for an audience.
July 2003
Trip to Jersey was enjoyable and challenging, as we were working in the Zoo for the first three days of the week long visit. Learnt more about endangered animals and conservation methods used by zoos.
National Diploma course is finished when we returned. I no longer have to return to the campus.
I gave up singing lessons, taking a break to decide on the next move.
August 2003
Started work on my demo disc and also trying my hand at song writing. No opportunities for work with my voice have appeared yet.
Applied for the Army, to work in the Health Corps and am awaiting results from the medical test taken. Also a university option has been considered, I may go on and start a degree, in the animal care field. My results and certificate have come through and I’m very pleased with them.
More job opportunities appear though nothing much has happened. But hopefully I’ll be able to settle into a routine of a nursing job before I start my course to qualify as a Veterinary Nurse.
Catharine Steel
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