A mum is graduating from Edinburgh's Napier University despite being diagnosed with autism later in life and being told she 'wasn't smart enough' as a child.
Nikki McLeod is set to graduate at Napier's annual ceremony on Thursday, July 7, at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh, having proved those who doubted her wrong and has also given advice for anyone else who may be in a similar situation.
Nikki, 49, originally from Kirkcaldy in Fife, started studying at Napier four years ago and made it through the troubles of the pandemic with her own Bachelor's degree in veterinary nursing after discovering similarities between herself and her son, who has also been diagnosed with the life-changing condition.
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Speaking to Edinburgh Live, Nikki said: "It was my oldest son that made me discover my autism. He had problems while growing up and was eventually diagnosed with autism too. When he was going through the process, I thought 'that is me'.
"It's really interesting to see his diagnosis and the process the doctors put you through to confirm it so it was like the mirror image of me. He also had problems at school regarding his attitude and being told he wasn't good or smart enough for university. It's funny that ten days before my 50th birthday that I end up with a degree in my pocket."
Nikki lives with her husband, Graham, and two sons in Dalgetty Bay at the moment, as well as working part-time at a veterinary practice in Dunfermline. Having been awarded her Registered Veterinary Nurse badge 22 years ago, Nikki always had a fascination with animals and wanted to kick on and achieve her degree to acquire more skills.
She continued: "Napier was the only course that offered the top-up two-year course, although I chose the option of four years so I wasn't too pressured. I took a break from nursing before my second child was born to be a photographer and when he was born, he was quite ill, so I stopped that for a few years to look after him.
"I then knew someone who said there was a veterinary practice in Edinburgh looking for someone to employ, so I took on that job to get me back into the industry. I thought it would be something good in order for me to regain the skills that I had previously learnt. After that, I decided to do my top-up degree and by that point I already had my diagnosis.
"Being a mature student, it wasn't too weird as a lot of it was online and in this industry, you get people of all ages. I could pick and choose which modules I wanted to do, so I could come in and work with the full-timers as well as working online. One of the students I actually done my placement with and my work ended up employing her. She's actually half my age so it does feel a bit weird in that respect.
"When you're studying online it can be difficult without people around you doing it as well. I continued to work at a practice in Dunfermline during my degree as you're meant to still be involved in a veterinary practice while studying, then do your online academic work separately, that's the reason why I done it over four years rather than two.
"The university really helped and looked our for me as they gave me extra time and special arrangements if I needed them, as obviously I struggled with time-keeping, that was one of the main stumbling blocks."
"In high school, growing up in Fife in the 1990's and being told you're not going to university was tough to take, but it makes it quite nice now that several decades on, I've proved them wrong."
Nikki said that she is now hoping to study for an extra year at the University of Edinburgh to achieve her diploma in Clinical Animal Behaviour. This postgraduate scheme would allow Nikki to be the brains behind why animals behave the way they do and any psychological problems owners my face with their pet.
Nikki said she prefers this aspect of the job rather than the more physical side of things, as her disability doesn't always cater to her being hands-on and lifting cages around, for example.
Nikki concluded by giving inspirational advice to anyone who may be in a similar situation and struggling with autism in general, and while studying at higher education.
She said: "I would say that the only barrier you have to overcome is yourself. I always said if I could do it, anyone can. If you actually want to do it then you have to go for it. If I can come away with a degree before reaching 50, then there's no excuse for anyone else not to.
"My friends, family and especially husband have been a great help for putting up with my self doubts and deadlines along the way, it's important to have support alongside you."
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