LUCY Ritchie’s parents were told that she would never go to a mainstream school after being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder – now she’s scooped a major university scholarship.

The 19-year-old, from Newton Mearns, was born with Treacher Collins syndrome leaving her profoundly deaf.

But now she has scooped the £6000 Cochlear UK Anders Tjellström Scholarship Award in recognition of how far she has come despite her difficulties.

After being fitted with a Baha System conduction hearing device when she was only two-years-old, her hearing dramatically improved.

It meant she was then able to lead a normal life.

Now studying at Aberdeen’s Robert Gordon University she hopes to use the funding to undertake a work placement in London.

Lucy said: “It’s a really nice thing to receive as a reward. It feels like winning is saying ‘well done’ and it makes everything worth it.

“Being profoundly deaf has in no way stopped me from taking the countless opportunities I have been given, thanks to my Baha.”

“I put myself forward for this scholarship as a way to show people that just because you have a hearing impairment does not stop you from achieving your aspirations or dreams.

“With the right attitude and a lot of determination you can succeed or do anything you want.

“I have lived my life beyond many people’s expectations and with the contribution from the Cochlear UK Anders Tjellström Scholarship Award, I can continue to do so and give people living with Treacher Collins syndrome a bit more hope for the future.”

The gadget was designed in the 1970’s by Dr Anders Tjellström, who handed Lucy her cheque at Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons today.

Professor Tjellström said: “To have a scholarship named after me is of course a great

honour and a sign of appreciation.

“It is also of great importance for the general public to understand the problems of the hard of hearing.

“This is especially important for children, for their language and intellectual and social development.

“Lucy’s story is really amazing,”

“In spite of her many problems especially during early childhood, she has already achieved so much in her life.”

The Anders Tjellström Scholarship Award is open to Baha System recipients in the UK. Awarded by Cochlear, the scholarship was been set up to help fund recipients’ university studies.

The UK award was established in 2014 in honour of Dr Anders Tjellström to thank him for his lifelong pursuit helping people with hearing loss and his pioneering work in the field of bone conduction hearing implants.