The Courier, 11 October 2000

A courageous Fife mother, who battled back from a near-crippling spinal to begin studies which she hopes could eventually lead to a career as a primary schoolteacher, has received a top award from Glenrothes College.

Canadian-born Mrs Julie Lightbourn, who lives in the East Neuk village of Kingsbarns, was awarded the Cosmos Community Centre Award for outstanding achievement.

The single mother’s sheer determination to overcome her severe disability was recognised during an awards dinner hosted by the college.

It was 14 years ago while working as sales executive with Kraft General Foods in Toronto that 39-year-old Julie fell off a ladder and sustained severe nerve damage to her spine.

Bedridden for more than two years and then confined to a wheelchair, she had to learn to walk again.

However, since moving to live in Fife just over two years ago with her three-year-old daughter, her condition improved sufficiently for her to begin studies at the Cosmos Learning Centre In St. Andrews, a flexible outreach provision operated by Glenrothes College.

Although still on daily pain killing injections and suffering from permanent sciatica in her legs and severe back pain which causes her distress, she successfully undertook an Information technology course at the learning unit and passed with lying colours, gaining several National Certificate modules.

She said yesterday, “When I signed up at the centre the staff were marvellous. My tutors Ian Bruckshaw and Joy Henderson were very supportive and made me feel I could do it.

“They provided the motivation and encouragement for me to succeed. I am very lucky that my health has improved enough to give me another chance in life.

“Any form of recognition of one’s work and the fact that people have noted how difficult it has been for me has given me a tremendous boost.”

Julie, who is certainly no stranger to St Andrews - she is a former pupil of its independent St Leonards School and also spent many holidays in the East Neuk area with her parents - is now continuing her studies at Elmwood College in Cupar.

She is participating in an access course with four days of study each week and working another day in a St Andrews primary school.

She intends to go to Northern College, Dundee, to start a four-year course to obtain a bachelor of education degree and enter primary school teaching.

She added, “I am pretty proud of my achievements to date and was delighted to receive this award.

“It was very important to me because I see it as the first step in a new life.”

Julie, who is registered disabled, spent many years abroad through her late father’s work and was an international swimmer for the Bahamas when the family lived there.

She added, “There is no chance of a permanent cure for my condition.

“However, I am happy that my first serious attempt to rebuild by life has been so successful.”