A Calgary teen is enjoying his summer before heading back to University like thousands of other students but unlike others he has had to overcome a funding battle with the province and a number of physical challenges to make his post-secondary education happen.
Thomas Sorensen has muscular dystrophy and just getting to his first year at Carleton University in Ottawa was a major struggle.
Carleton is the only university in the country that offers a 24/7 care program and fully accessible campus for students with disabilities.
Last year, the provincial government turned down Sorensen’s funding request because he wanted to study at the school but it eventually relented under public pressure.
Sorensen had a difficult year but his hard work paid off and he made the Dean's list.
"They’re like you are on the Dean's List and I was like I don't know what it means, so finally someone told me and I'm like oh it's the honours list that's good I guess. I'm happy about that," said Sorensen. "A lot of times I would get pretty well caught up and then I’d have to go and do 80 million doctors’ appointments and fall behind again right when I got caught up and I was like ahh didn't I just do this?”
During his short stay at home in Alberta he has been busy with more doctor's appointments but still managed to return to Camp Horizon where he acts as a leader for children living with disabilities.
Sorensen is studying biology and hopes to one day study genetic diseases to help develop new treatments for muscular dystrophy.
He returns to Ottawa this weekend to get ready for his second year.
(With files from Bill Macfarlane)
