A TEEN who thought she was ‘thick’ before finding out she had dyslexia has now gone on to achieve a diploma in beauty therapy.
Sophie Loader from Malvern Link had to have her learning material printed on pink paper to help her read it while studying for the course at Worcester College of Technology in the past 12 months.
Now the 18-year-old who works for Malvern Beauty Clinic in Barnards Green, has been awarded a certificate of excellence and has her eyes set on an apprenticeship which will allow her to do her own massage clinics.
The achievement has marked something a change in fortunes for Sophie who struggled with work in school before her condition was discovered.
She failed her first attempts at SATs in Year 9 before teachers at The Chase School asked her to resit them only this time with the assistance of someone reading the questions.
It made an immediate difference and Sophie turned her Es and Fs into Bs and Cs. Soon after she was diagnosed with dyslexia.
“I found it really really difficult to do my work in school. I just thought I was thick. But I felt I knew the answers I just couldn’t get them down in time.”
In the last year Sophie has had her work printed on pink paper which has helped even further. She said with white paper letters and words can look like squares but on pink paper gaps appear between the letters.
Her mum Debbie Loader who is also her manager at Malvern Beauty Clinic, said: “Sophie used to think she was thick and stupid so I was relieved when she was diagnosed.
“I’m very proud of what she has achieved not just as her mum but as her boss.”
Debbie also thanked teachers at Worcester College of Technology who provided her additional support in the last year.
Lecturer Nicky Carter added: “Sophie showed outstanding dedication and commitment to her course of study and received excellent feedback from her clients developing her social skills at the college’s own salon, Fountains.
“I am very happy for her and it illustrates what can be achieved with the right support.”
