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Cardiff-born John Spence was bullied and mocked at school.

His teachers told him he was a waste of space and he reached his mid-30s having never read a book.

But now, he’s a trained medic running his own company training doctors all over the world after graduating with a medical science degree age 46.

It’s a remarkable turnaround and he says he owes it all to the Open University. “I never imagined life could be like this,” he said.

John, from Pentwyn , was bullied at school because he couldn’t read, and by the time he left aged 16, his confidence was so shattered that he’d developed a stammer.

“I was made to stand on a chair to read in class while the others laughed,” said John, who lived in hostels throughout much of his school life. “Teachers told me I was a waste of space and didn’t deserve to be taught with the others.”

Without the support of a family, John’s learning difficulties went untreated and he left school without any qualifications.

He immediately joined the Army, serving in Afghanistan and Iraq as a medic and enjoying a successful military career, despite having never told anyone that he couldn’t read or write.

It was only when he left the Army in 2000 and was working as an ocean paramedic, that his secret was discovered.

John was on a course in pre-hospital emergency medicine and though he excelled at the practical and theoretical tests, he failed the written exam, baffling his instructor.

(Image: Open University Wales)

“It felt like everything was unravelling,” said John. “I used to memorise everything I learned by heart. The military is very physical so it was easy to hide. But I always knew I’d be terrible in an exam.”

The instructor, Dr Victor Calland, noticed something was wrong and told him he was bright enough to progress in his dream career in medicine – and encouraged him, aged 34, to rejoin education.

John was referred to the Open University, where experts discovered he had severe dyslexia, ADHD, and Meares-Irlen syndrome, which leaves the brain struggling to process visual information and affects reading ability.

“They couldn’t believe I’d got as far as I had,” said John. “I’d grown up thinking everyone saw words spiralling and jumping over the page when they read.”

John signed up to the Open University alongside his job at sea and had to overcome his extreme fear of education, based on his experiences at school.

“I was so scared on my first day that I was sick,” he said.

“The Open University became the family I never had. They helped me at every step – arranging a computer and software for me, and the books I needed.

“I wore tinted glasses and had transparent green sheets over my exam papers to stop the words moving.

“Every time I rang the Cardiff office, I could feel the excitement. Everyone was rooting for me. I’d never had that in my life.”

John first completed a certificate of education, then a diploma, and eight years after returning to education, he completed a BSc honours degree, often studying while working on board a ship, with exams invigilated by the captain.

Last year, he graduated with a 2:1 in Medical Health Science at the age of 46, describing it as the best moment of his life.

(Image: Golley Slater)

Now he’s a senior medical officer, travelling the world and responsible for the health of a crew of 150, and runs his own medical business, Patronus Rescue International, teaching pre-hospital emergency care to teams of medics.

“Education has changed my life completely,” said John, paying tribute to Ceri Wilcock at Open University in Cardiff, who nominated him for the award.

“If only my teachers had believed in me and not dismissed me as a ‘naughty’ child.”

John, an OU ambassador, has now moved to Tenerife, but still teaches in Cardiff and across the UK, and he’s preparing to marry his partner, Alexandro, in a ceremony in Barbados next year.

“I now realise the power of education and how one person noticing your strengths can change your life,” he said.

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“I never imagined life could be like this. I was failed by education the first time, but I’m so glad I was given a second chance. I owe everything to the Open University, and the doctors who told me I was worth something.”

John, now 47, has just received the Life Change and Overall Winner of the Year awards at the Inspire! Awards, which aim to highlight opportunities to continue developing and learning new skills as an adult, and celebrate the positive impact of adult education on skills and employability.

The awards, at the Exchange Hotel in Cardiff Bay, celebrate the achievements of exceptional individuals, projects and organisations who’ve shown passion, commitment and drive to improve themselves, their community or workplace through learning, often in the face of difficult circumstances.

The Inspire! Awards and Adult Learners’ Week are co-ordinated by Learning and Work Institute Wales in partnership with the Welsh Government and other supporters including the Open University in Wales.

(Image: Andrew James)

Eluned Morgan, Minister for Welsh Language and Lifelong Learning, said: “John is so deserving of the Inspire! Overall Learner of the Year award. His story is an example of real determination against the odds.”

“It also reminds us of the power of mentors. Encouraging words, sometimes from just one person, are hugely powerful and can help somebody on the path to learning – and change their life.”

David Hagendyk, Director for Wales at Learning and Work Institute, said: “Going back into education has enormous benefits for adults. The evidence shows that it can improve your health, family life, the chance of a job, or a promotion at work. Taking that first step back into adult education might seem a little daunting at first but there is always someone to lend a helping hand and to support you along the way.”

The Inspire! Awards are hosted each year ahead of Adult Learners’ Week which celebrates lifelong learning; whether work-based, as part of a community education course, at college, university or online. It’s funded by the Welsh Government and the European Social Fund and organised by the Learning and Work Institute Wales.

For more information on Adult Learners’ Week, go to www.careerswales.com/skillsgateway or call 0800 028 4844 or follow @skillsgatewaycw