A FIFE College Student has become the first in the country to receive a scholarship to help support people with Multiple Sclerosis during their studies.
Daniel McLean, 17, from Dunfermline was granted £1,000 from the Adam Smith Foundation, which was supported by the local branch of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.
After being diagnosed with MS at the age of 16, Daniel had to take four months off school and lost his confidence but has now returned to his studies at the college where he is taking a course in Higher English.
Lecturer Mary Burgess, who nominated Daniel for the award said: “Daniel is a fantastic student and has great writing skills.
“He works very hard and has shown great bravery not to let his MS interfere with his studies.
“He just gets on with it and keeps positive which is a great mind-set to have for anyone.”
Daniel said: “A few years ago I started to lose the feeling in my hands and feet and my balance was also affected – I found out I had MS which does make me feel tired and unable to co-ordinate my movements some days.
“I’m learning to adapt and coming to College has helped me do this as it is flexible so I can put in the extra work when I can.
“I’m really enjoying my course and I’m looking forward to going on to do an HNC in Social Science and from that hopefully my dream job of working in the Police.”
The Adam Smith Foundation awards scholarships throughout the year to Fife College students through over 40 scholarship programmes.
Last year the Foundation benefitted 131 students.
Amy Newton, Branch Co-ordinator for the MS Society in Scotland, said: “This is the first time the MS Society has supported a college student in this way and we are delighted that our first scholarship has gone to someone as worthy as Daniel.
“Over 800 people have been diagnosed with MS in Fife – we hope that this will be the first of many scholarships and that other MS Societies will follow the lead of the Fife Branch, and offer support in their own areas.”
