A YOUNG woman who is unable to walk or feed herself has defied the odds to gain a master’s degree.

Therese Hunt, 26, who has cerebral palsy will graduate from Roehampton University with an MSc in bio-mechanics, the study of human movement.

Each of her exams took 18 hours and she had to dictate each word to a scribe because she is unable to hold a pen or use a computer.

She said: “Out of all my achievements doing the masters is the greatest. Studying a masters can be demanding for anybody.

“I will be graduating in March and I am very excited about that. But I am most looking forward to starting a career.”

Therese, from Billericay, has always wanted to work with amputees from the war and has been looking for work experience, following her graduation.

Proud mum Mary, 64, said: “Therese has achieved great things and people should never let a disability hold them back.

“She was born was cerebral palsy and medical staff at the time told me not to expect much from her because of her condition.

“I know there are parents who have children with cerebral palsy and they think that’s the end, but it’s not.

“She found the exams exhausting because she gets tired from talking, it is quite a strain.”

Therese lives independently, although she has 24 hour care at her own home. She has a boyfriend and graduated with a degree in sports science in 2011, also from Roehampton.

Mary added: “She took a year out and then began studying for her master’s degree back in 2012.

“I am so proud of her and everything she has done. I have to praise the education and care support systems. They get a lot of stick but they have given Therese so much support on the past years.”