Graduation Tales | Rob battles several surgeries to achieve degree

The International Convention Centre Wales in Newport has once again seen thousands of our graduates cross the stage in their cap and gown. To celebrate, we are sharing the stories of some of our inspirational students.

Rob Bailey didn’t have the easiest start to his university experience, having injured his arm during the first term, and going on to endure seven operations within just two years.

But having overcome his health issues, he is now graduating with a 2:1 degree in History, and is already looking forward to taking on a Masters degree.

Rob, 51, who is originally from Brighton but has lived in Wales for 22 years, struggled at school and left with poor grades. He went on to train as a chef and worked at some prestigious hotel chains, before leaving the hospitality industry in 1991, moving from job to job, then becoming a qualified HGV driver in 2005.

He took the plunge to get back into education, with encouragement from his wife, Mel, after hearing about the History course offered at USW.

“I initially chose to apply to USW as it was my first choice for History, and the campus was closest to my home in Hengoed,” said Rob.

“After speaking to lecturers at other universities, I knew I had made the right choice to come to USW.”

Rob’s health problems started during his foundation year, when he suffered a torn bicep and needed reconstructive surgery to reattach the muscle to the bone. Unfortunately, that operation caused damage to the nerves in his arm, which meant he faced a long 18 months of rehabilitation.

“I was unable to use my right arm during those 18 months, which forced me to learn to write left handed,” he said.

“My second operation was to repair an umbilical hernia, not long after starting my second year of studies. Just 10 days later, I needed emergency surgery as I suffered a blood clot that was around the size of a melon, and my abdomen had split open.

“This almost caused me to defer my studies, but being a stubborn person, I pushed through and made it to my final year.”

During his ongoing health issues, which saw him go through seven surgeries in total, Rob was also diagnosed with dyslexia, autism and ADHD, for which he says he received excellent support from USW.

“I can’t quite believe that I’m here, fully recovered and celebrating my graduation, after such a turbulent four years of study, but I’m so proud of myself that I got through it. Without the support of Mel and the university, I don’t think I would have accomplished this monumental achievement.”