The Princess Royal has congratulated a university student for overcoming blindness and paralysis to pursue a degree.
In a message to University of East London (UEL) student Farhad Hussein she praised his remarkable resilience in challenging illness and disability to pursue a degree and re-establish his career in banking.
Farhad was personally selected by the Princess Royal, patron of the Learning and Work Institute, as this year’s winner of the Festival of Learning Patron’s Award.
A serious illness in 2012 left the 37-year-old former bank manager blind and nearly paraplegic, with limited movement in one arm and his head. Despite these profound challenges, Farhad decided to commit himself to a degree and begin his journey back to a career.
“I was in hospital for six months and cut off from social and work life,” said Farhad.
“I had second thoughts about studying at university but was eager to do a degree as I never had the chance before.”
Eventually his eyesight started coming back and Farhad was told about UEL’s 10-week pre-entry course that prepares non-traditional students for a degree-level education.
He suffered setbacks when his energy levels waned, and his medical team advised him to step back because of a serious infection. But he returned stronger and with greater mobility, leaving friends and colleagues in constant awe.
He was able to complete the course and begin a BSc Banking and Finance degree. Earlier this year he started an internship with Barclays.
“I received a first-class distinction in my first year of studies,” added Farhad.
“I’ve got three more years to go because I’m studying part time but at the end of the course, I want to work in FineTech, making banking more accessible for vulnerable and elderly people.
“I would not be surprised if I walked again someday, as I continue to do physiotherapy and will never give up. I will overcome my illness and prove to the world to never judge a book by its cover. The doctors told me I have a one in a million disease and would never see again but there is no such word as impossible.
“Going to university gave me a purpose in life and a reason to fight. I won’t let anything get in my way as I believe it’s my second chance in life for which I am forever grateful.”
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