Carol Vorderman has congratulated her son for graduating with a master’s degree from Dundee University after he was branded “unteachable” as a child.
TV star Carol Vorderman, 60, revealed this week that her son had secured a master’s degree in animation and video FX from the University of Dundee.
But the Countdown mathematician said that he had a difficult start at school, with many rejecting him due to what she said were his “severe special educational needs”.
She said on social media that so many schools had rejected Cameron that she was even forced to consider giving up work to teach him at home.
“I was going to give up work to teach him but even I couldn’t teach a child with his needs,” she explained.
Carol Vorderman told the Daily Mail it was “utterly heartbreaking” to see Cameron get rejected from schools as a child.
His first headteacher, she said, told her he would have to leave the school because of his behaviour.
“He said Cam was getting into little fights, was disruptive, a trouble-maker, basically,” she said.
“I took him around other schools – six, maybe seven – to see if they would take him, but when they heard the history, they all said no. He was deemed unteachable,” she told the newspaper.
Describing her son’s special needs, Carol Vorderman said: “There are overlapping circles, with severe dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD, ADD and autism.”
She added: “Cam has severe dyslexia, ADD and ADHD.”
Cameron determined to succeed after Dundee success
Since she spoke about Cameron’s story and his master’s degree from Dundee University, thousands of people have congratulated him.
Using his new qualification, Carol told the Daily Mail that 24-year-old Cameron was hoping to work in the gaming industry.
Speaking about his determination to excel in the industry, the proud mum added: “He will.
“I have absolutely no doubt about that. Cameron will do whatever he sets his mind to do.”
Thank you for all of your truly kind messages yday about my son Cameron. We also heard from many who are suffering in the system for special educational needs right now.
Here's Cam saying thank you and with a word particularly for those going through the same as him ❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/WxA1BErzNr— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) September 20, 2021
In a video posted by Cameron on social media, he thanked people for the encouragement he has received.
“I never thought I would get this far in life. That’s what pushed me to do it. After being told I would not achieve anything of significance, I started to believe it,” he said.
But Cameron added: “I will keep on improving and achieving things that I never thought I would be able to, to spite the past version of myself.
6/6. A STORY OF SUCCESS ABOUT A CHILD WHO STRUGGLED FOR YEARS ❤️❤️
I've learned so much from Cameron. I've learned patience and kindness and perseverance and strategies and calm. He's now THE MASTER 🥂❤️
Children with special needs just have a different development curve. ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/9ggJu5sd0h— Carol Vorderman (@carolvorders) September 19, 2021
“If you doubt yourself, just imagine the satisfaction of proving everyone and yourself wrong.
“I will tell you right now, it is very satisfying.”
Dundee University said the course Cameron studied, which is based at the Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, helps students “learn the creative and technical skills” needed to work in industry.
