Disability no bar to gaining degree

DAVID HALLETT/Press

ROLLING ON: Jonathan Darby overcame spina bifida to graduate from Canterbury University.

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Canterbury University graduate Jonathan Darby faced more challenges then most when setting out on a university career.

The 28-year-old was born with spina bifida and has been in a wheelchair since he was a little boy.

But his disability has never held him back. Eight years after rolling into his first university class, he has the degrees to prove it.

Darby graduated with an LLB yesterday afternoon and also has a BA and business diploma under his belt.

Completing a degree provided extra challenges for him, such as getting around campus and keeping energy levels up for late nights studying, he said.

"There's always more to your day then just a normal person."

Despite not being very academic at school, he always wanted to go to university and Canterbury had been great in accommodating his needs.

He has been overachieving since he was young. At 17 he completed a gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, which included physical activities such as tramping.

Canterbury University held two capping ceremonies yesterday and will hold another two tomorrow.

More than 1500 students are receiving degrees, diplomas and certificates.

- © Fairfax NZ News