Daliany Kersh has excelled in her degree course at Middlesex University despite serious illness and has been awarded with a £1000 Chancellor’s Scholarship for her outstanding achievement.

In 1997, when Daliany was just 16, she was struck down with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), which left her bed-ridden and unable to sit up or feed herself.  However, she refused to give up the fight, and tutored herself, taking her exams at home and in bed, achieving ten 'A' and 'A'-star grades at GCSE.

With enormous determination she is now studying a BA in Modern Languages, specialising in Spanish with French, at Middlesex University’s Trent Park campus.  After many years of being housebound, it was not until she was 25 that she has been able to even attempt go to university.

Daliany has managed to get high grades in Spanish, and is consistently ranked among the top 10 students. She was awarded a Chancellor's Scholarship for outstanding academic achievement by Middlesex University.

The Chancellor’s Scholarships are available to all current and potential undergraduate and postgraduate students of Middlesex University. They reward academic or sporting excellence, or a significant achievement in cultural and community endeavours.

 “All the teachers at Middlesex University have been very helpful,” said Daliany Kersh, 26, of Watford.  “They were all interested in assisting me.  Without the help of my tutors, it would have been very difficult for me.”

“It is very hard having ME,” explained Daliany Kersh.  “The thing with ME is that you don't look physically ill. It's all internal, and that's why it's hard for people to understand.”

And just attending the ceremony in the glazed quadrangle on the Hendon campus of Middlesex University to collect the Scholarship was a major undertaking for her.  She had to rest for a couple of days in advance of attending the event, and when she went home, she had to rest in a dark room for several days in order to recover.

“Every day is a challenge,” said Daliany Kersh.  “I go to university twice a week for two hours.  The rest of the week, for literally the whole time, I’m in bed resting in a dark room.”

“But coming to the Trent Park campus almost makes up for it,” said Daliany Kersh.  “It has a tranquil setting to study.  It is a beautiful campus.”

Picture: Daliany Kersh receives her scholarship from Lord Sheppard, Chancellor of Middlesex University. 

Disabled student support at Middlesex University