By Dana Datu, Deputy News Editor
Beyond physical pain, Dennis describes the impacts his eczema had on his mental health and academic life.
During his first year, Dennis expressed having difficulty leaving his room or interacting with others. He added that stress from exams and deadlines only worsened the eczema, resulting in significant difficulties.
Inaccessible eczema treatment, paired with ineffective creams and steroids, led to Dennis wearing gloves and multiple layers of clothes to hide the condition.
The university continued to support Dennis by granting extensions while being understanding of his condition and its impacts on his ability to sleep, concentrate, and communicate with others.
When he suspended his studies in his third year, Dennis began specialist treatment that managed his condition and finally cleared his skin. However, with the majority of his cohort having already graduated, Dennis met with his senior tutor, Dr Robert Hughes from the School of Electrical, Electronic, and Mechanical Engineering, to plan how to ease Dennis into university life.
Dennis was thankful for how Dr Robert Hughes supported him while helping others understand the impact eczema and the side effects of the medication had on his studies, resulting in a much more manageable final year.
Dennis also admitted to regretting how he spent his first three years isolating himself from his cohort, leaving this year as his ‘last chance.’
Over the next term, Dennis started socialising with more people, asking questions in lectures, and attending formal events. This included fulfilling his wish to fly on a University of Bristol balloon before graduation.
Dennis said that by embracing his fears, he was able to realise how ‘every fear in [his] head was fictitious.’ He now views every uncomfortable situation not as something to avoid, but as ‘opportunities to grow.’
Following his graduation ceremony, Dennis was presented with the special Crown Packaging Prize, awarded to final year students who have shown ‘exceptional initiative’ in engineering endeavours.
Aimee Anderson
Dana Andrea Datu
Dennis said that while he was proud to have completed his course, he was much prouder of having survived and embraced the challenges brought by his skin condition, and can now ‘happily graduate with no regrets.’
Dr Robert Hughes commented that it was an incredible highlight as a senior tutor to witness Dennis complete his degree despite the difficulties he faced, paired with a ‘dedication and maturity you don’t see every day.’ Dr Hughes added, ‘I'm very proud to see how far he has come. I know he will excel in whatever he sets his mind to.’
Featured image: University of Bristol
