A TEENAGER born with a rare spinal disorder is taking great strides forward in her life.

Megan Parker, a pupil at St Helena School in Colchester, has endured more than 40 operations to correct her twisted back.

Megan was able to take off the supportive plaster cast she had worn for most of her life last year and mum Tina said her daughter had “done very well for herself since”.

The 15-year-old’s proudest achievement is being offered a job at Swallow Aquatics, in Aldham, after doing her school work experience placement there.

“Megan wants to work with animals and, after a lot of looking around, the school got her a placement,” Tina said.

“She really enjoyed it and the shop obviously appreciated her efforts because she got offered a Saturday job.

“She is chuffed to bits and feels she’s become an adult and got something on her own merits, rather than out of sympathy for her condition.”

Megan, who suffers from scoliosis, has also become a prefect at school.

Tina, of Rowhedge Road, said: “She helps other pupils a lot and is an inspiration.

“She’s also made a presentation to MP Bob Russell about how unfair it is that schools get marked down when pupils are off for long-term sickness.”

Megan, who has had titanium rods fitted to reshape her spine, is due to go back to see her surgeon at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, in Stanmore, next month.

“She’s been in slight pain recently, which might just be growing pains or it could be that her bones haven’t fused properly since the last operation,” Tina said.

“It might mean more surgery, which would be a massive step backwards for her, particularly after the excellent progress she’s made recently.”