SWMRuni - by Athena Stavrou

A student who went to eleven schools while caring for her disabled siblings and terminally-ill mum has graduated from uni.

Chloe Fussell, 24, helped looked after her siblings and sick mother from the age of five. But she has now received her Criminology degree from the University of Bristol with her proud family watching on.

Chloe, from Radstock said: "Dad was more excited for graduation than I was. I'm the first person in my family to go to University and he just thinks it's amazing."

Growing up, Chloe did not realise her life was different to other children's.

She had already been helping with a sibling's epilepsy when her mother went in for a routine operation and was diagnosed with cervical cancer.

The family made several moves across the country to access healthcare and get closer to friends and family.

Tragically, Chloe's mother passed away two years after her diagnosis, aged 38 when Chloe was just nine.

Chloe's turbulent early life meant she went to six primary schools and five secondary schools – and had all but ruled out going to university.

Chloe said: "Looking back it was a lot, but I didn't know any different. I didn't know other kids were out playing on their bikes. I now know it wasn't a normal way to grow up but I've made my peace with it."

Having spent time at a University of Bristol summer school, she later chanced upon its Foundation in Arts and Social Sciences course.

Chloe went on to study Criminology at the University – including an exchange year in Michigan, USA.

She said: "It was a wonderful course. It was a small cohort and some were 18, some were 75. It was so wholesome, I really found my feet again.

"I was walking to campus one day and I had to stop and think 'I'm living on a different continent, 3,500 miles away from the family I've been looking after.

"It was mind-blowing, the best of experience of my life. It made me realise there are opportunities beyond being at home."

Chloe has spent the past nine months as a supply teacher at a Bristol school and will now study for a PGCE at the University of Bristol to be a secondary maths teacher.

She said: "I'm really pleased I ended up where I am. I kept stumbling until I landed. It's been the most ridiculous, crazy journey. Eight years ago I genuinely didn't think I'd end up anywhere, for so long it felt like the system was against me.

"I'm behind where people my age are but I feel privileged to be in the position I'm in."

Dr Gernot Klantschnig, Associate Professor in International Criminology, and Chloe's supervisor, said: "Chloe has shown unbelievable determination, maturity and dedication to her studies since the start, and she managed this all despite the difficulties she has faced."