Benefiting from support

Maria has retinal dystrophy, which causes severe visual impairment. She also has cerebral palsy, which affects her movement and co-ordination. She's taking GCSEs at a mainstream school and attends college once a week to do her Level 1 Certificate in Land-based Studies (Equine). She wants to work with horses in the future, and would eventually like to have her own stables and be a riding instructor.

Post-16, Maria plans to do equine studies. As she has very specific physical needs, she's investigated local provision and specialist colleges that cater for people with visual impairments. She's visited several places and talked to their tutors and students. She's discussed her plans with her Connexions personal adviser, parents and other family members who know her well. She's decided to study in two places. She'll do a Level 2 BTEC First Diploma in Horse Care at a local college and go to a specialist college to do a key skills and lifeskills programme.