Mickey H. Collut
After serving with the British Army, Mickey became an officer in the Metropolitan Police, but after seven years’ service he began to suffer from a delayed onset of ME and was forced to leave his career. “I knew one day I would return to work and when I did I would want to be qualified,” said Mickey. With exercise having improved his well-being, he enrolled at Newcastle College in 2008, where he is currently studying towards a Foundation Degree in Health and Exercise Science.
Studying has been a challenge for Mickey: his illness left him bedridden for long periods and he had to catch up with missed study when he was well enough. Mickey missed the first semester of his final year due to illness, yet his commitment meant he maintained pace by putting in extra work. Having ME means Mickey will never be able to partake in strenuous exercise, so he aims to begin another course in physiotherapy with a hope of gaining work in this field. “It is through education that Mickey sees options which will enable him to continue to provide for his family in the future,” said nominator, Billy.
