A woman who was illiterate at age 16 has since graduated with first-class honors from college.
Later this week, Chloe McRoberts of Ayr will graduate from Glasgow Caledonian University with a social work degree.
Prior to leaving school without a diploma, the 26-year-old had trouble at school with "erratic behavior" and having access to learning support.
She started over at a council-funded project, and she now hopes to help other kids.
"I'd realized I was dyslexic when I was around about primary three," Ms. McRoberts said on the Good Morning Scotland program of BBC Radio Scotland.
"And my dad had passed away by the time I was in about primary six, which only made things worse.
"I've always struggled in the classroom, and it wasn't just with reading, writing, and math.
I was later given the diagnosis of ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) because of my erratic behavior. ".
She was still unable to get the learning support she required at secondary school.
She said, "I wanted to be in the classroom so badly, but I wasn't able to sit and work in the classroom.".
"It was like everything made sense in my head, but when I produced the work, it didn't make sense at all.
"I became so incredibly irritated over it. ".
Even though her mother quit her job to help support Ms. McRoberts, she eventually left school without graduating.
At the South Ayrshire Council's Learning Shop project, she was able to receive the appropriate assistance at last.
They "took me right back to the beginning," she remarked.
"Things like learning the alphabet, reviewing nouns and adjectives, even things you wouldn't consider - like developing the muscle strength in my arm to enable writing. ".
She was determined to catch up even though she felt she had fallen behind her friends.
I knew I had the motivation to attend university, but it did seem so far off, said Ms. McRoberts.
To get there, it took me more than ten years. Without a doubt, I am proud of myself. ".
She currently assists children from various schools as part of a disability team.
She added, "I also studied British Sign Language and am certified in it, and I hope to remove that barrier for people as well.
"That is the plan, and I do hope to make a significant difference. ".
She will receive her first-class diploma later this week, and she describes the occasion as "emotional" and "surreal.".
She continued, "I think my dad will be there with us and I think he'll be so proud of me too.
"Today is going to be incredible.
. "
