STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2008
Anne-Marie Goodreid
University of Wolverhampton
WINNER OF
Xcel Law Student of the Year award
Xcel Law Student of the Year award
Anne-Marie (right) with her mum, Nora, (left) and Dean of School, Brian Mitchell (cente) at her graduation
Anne-Marie Goodreid was this year’s joint winner of the Xcel Law Student of the Year Award. Anne-Marie won the award for her incredible academic achievement following a horrific car accident that left her with no short-term memory.
Anne-Marie was working as a trainee Solicitor when she was involved in a serious car crash 10 years ago. She sustained severe brain injuries and memory loss as a result of the accident. However, Anne-Marie is a fighter and her recovery was more successful than the doctors had ever hoped.
Prior to the accident, Anne-Marie had already completed the Common Professional Examination, the Legal Practice course and LLM at the University of Wolverhampton between 1994 and 1998. Through perseverance and commitment, Anne-Marie overcame several barriers to return to university in September 2003 to study an undergraduate degree for the second time.
What makes Anne-Marie’s story even more exceptional is that her mum, Norah, attended the lectures with her to act as Anne-Marie’s ‘memory’. The on-going effects of the accident mean that Anne-Marie struggles with new information and so she needed her mum’s support with noting down important chapters in books. Anne-Marie’s dad, John, also supported their academic endeavours, driving the pair to lectures during their four and a half years with the school.
Whilst the award is in my name, I view it as a recognition of all the positive promotion of what is possible. Having my work publicly recognised at the Xcel Awards has, I hope, proved the maxim “never say never”
In September this year, almost 10 years exactly after the accident, Anne-Marie and her mum both graduated from the School of Legal Studies with a unique BA (Hons) Studies in Law in recognition of their inspirational achievement. On receipt pf her award, Anne-Marie thanked those who have helped her achieve success: “I am lucky to have so many people supporting me, my parents and the staff at Wolverhampton University School of Law, to name but a few; Jatinder, Helen, Phil, Steve, and in fact many others, have provided me with incentive, strong support and practical help to re-build.”
“Receiving the award was a delightful surprise. Graduating with another law degree has been important to me in ‘revalidating’ the various academic degrees I had attained prior to my serious road traffic accident. The past decade has proved difficult, yet undoubtedly with merit. I feel amazingly lucky that, following my return to study at such a level as to ensure the validity of qualifications obtained previously. Whilst the award is in my name, I view it as a recognition of all the positive promotion of what is possible. Having my work publicly recognised at the Xcel Awards has, I hope, proved the maxim “never say never”. Winning the award has been super; I really would like others to say, “I can do that too”.
Interview by: Emily Crane
