Swansea student Carly Edwards, despite being visually impaired and having had major brain surgery, is celebrating her success in achieving her degree in psychology and being named joint winner of the British Psychology Society (Welsh Branch) prize.

Twenty-three-year-old Carly, from Aberdare, received the BPS prize, because she has achieved academic success whilst coping with additional significant demands during the course of her studies.

Carly has had a turbulent three years. She was very ill for the first two and a half years of her degree course and also had major brain surgery. Being in constant pain over the three year period had a major mental and physical impact which made the course even more challenging.

Carly was determined to prove that she was capable of achieving her goal and with the help of the psychology department and the supporting service for visually impaired people Carly was able to complete her studies.

Carly was also grateful for the additional help from Professor Ian Thornton who achieved the impossible and introduced her to the I-pad which made her course more accessible and enjoyable as she was having to put in more hours as she was unable to read as quickly as others.

Professor Mark Blagrove, Head of the Department of Psychology andCarly's research project supervisor said: " Carly has deservedly been awarded her degree following her diligence and hard-work for three years with us.

"Carly undertook a major piece ofi ndependent research in her final year which looked at the biological rhythm which affects our sleep pattern. Those taking part in the study had various degrees of visual impairment. Carly's literature review oft his area, and her report of her study, and her work on the other subject areas that were part of her degree were all excellent .

"She has done very well on her degree and we wish her well for the future. "

Carly said: " I can only feel a glowing pleasure to know that all my achievements have been noticed despite the obstacles.

"The course itself was a challenge but then the degree would not be worth having if it wasn't !

"Anything is possible if you want it bad enough,you just have to be determined and realise that life isn't just astraightforward journey but eventually, with hard work and planning, youcan achieve your goals. "

Carly will be taking a gap year to decide which career route she wantsto follow. She is considering various options but would love to work with children who have visual impairments, enabling them to also achieve their full potential.

Carly was grateful for the love, support and patience given by her husband Mike over the three years and the memory which will stay withher for the rest of her life has to be her wedding which took place shortly before she graduated !