Determination is a key driver to achieving your goals and what you aspire to, even when the challenges seem insurmountable. An inspiring example is Rachael Campey, a young mother who graduated at the age of 21, after leaving school at 14 due to pregnancy.
An interrupted education
As reported by our colleagues at the Independent newspaper, in an article published on 6 December 2019, Rachael Campey gave birth to her daughter Lily-Rose when she was just 15 years old. She struggled to return to school because she felt the education system had “abandoned” her after her pregnancy. The young mother explained to the BBC that she had to leave school due to lack of support.
After being forced to leave her school, Rachael attended various schools, before finally attending York College and continuing her university studies at Leeds Trinity University. Before joining the university, Rachael faced several obstacles and did not have an easy academic life. She was once expelled from a school. On top of that, her mental health was not at its best during her student life, due to the bullying she suffered. The mother stated that she was bullied in the years leading up to her university studies and that at one point, she almost dropped out of university altogether.
Despite her fear of being forced to drop out of university, Rachael graduated at the age of 21 with a degree in counseling psychology. The mother stated that she had a lot of doubts during her first year. She cried in the hallways, and was ready to drop out of her studies. Rachael expressed that it was her daughter who helped her cope.
Rachael did not consider her pregnancy at a very young age as a bad thing. She even assured that the birth of her daughter helped her get out of a dark period. According to her, pregnancy has given her a new lease on life.
In a tweet about her graduation, Rachael dedicated her message to her daughter.
“When I found out I was pregnant with you at 14, I promised I would work tirelessly to give you the best childhood possible,” she wrote. She accompanied her post with a photo of her daughter’s birth and another of Lily-Rose holding her mother’s hand at her graduation. Rachael’s tweet went viral, garnering over 104,000 likes and 5,700 retweets, in addition to several comments of support and congratulations.
Rachael with her daughter at her graduation. Source: spm
In recognition of her hard work and determination, Rachael was nominated for an Inspirational Person at the Yorkshire Choice Awards 2020. The nomination meant a lot to her.