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Student praises support for helping her overcome potentially fatal illness and graduate

Posted 25 September

A student who completed her degree at Harper Adams after being hospitalised with a potentially fatal stomach condition has thanked University staff for their support.

Luned Davies was diagnosed with Gastroparesis – a condition which means she is not able to absorb or digest food properly – after three harrowing years of illness.

Luned, who started studying at Harper in 2019, found herself becoming seriously unwell in 2020.  She spent her second year studying online and had to end her industrial placement in her third year for health reason.

She said: ““I was rapidly losing weight for no reason and unable to digest or absorb food - which resulted in hospital admission at the end of February until mid-March where I received Nasal Gastric (NG) feeding.

“After being discharged I was still unable to maintain weight or digest food and unable to fight off any infections and became severely malnourished.

“By August 2022 I was readmitted to hospital unable to walk and do basic things – I received NG feeding again, and was told that there was a high possibility I would die. By September, I had to discuss my studies with tutors at Harper.

“I was adamant that I would be able to complete my degree - even if it was from a hospital bed - but it was decided the best option was to defer my final year.”

Following her Gastroparesis diagnosis, Luned recovered and was fully discharged from hospital in January 2023.

She returned to Harper that September for her final year – and, last week, finally walked across the stage and collected her BSc (Hons) Agribusiness degree.

Speaking beforehand, she said: “It feels surreal that I am graduating, considering two  years ago I didn’t think I’d be coming out of hospital - let alone back to complete my degree.

“I feel lucky and grateful that I was given this opportunity to return, enabling me to further my knowledge and gain a greater understanding of different aspects of the industry.”

Luned received an 2:1 – and secured a First for her Honours Research Project, which she used to investigate how farmers could be encouraged to produce food that is suitable for people with dietary requirements due to a health-related condition.

She added: “This is a topic I feel incredibly passionate about where I used my experience to my advantage, gaining in-depth knowledge and valuable insights that will help in my future endeavours.”

Having been able to return to Harper and secure her degree, Luned was keen to express her thanks to several University employees both past and present.

She added: “I could not thank everyone that has supported me and enabled me to return to Harper this year from my parents, medical team and the staff at Harper.

“The support I received off Jane Hill, the Head of Disability and Learner Support, and Hairong Mu, my course tutor, was fantastic. Although Claire Toogood has left Harper, she was phenomenal alongside Jane during my placement year, the decision to defer a year, and the process to return in 2023. 

“Returning to Harper was made more manageable thanks to Jane and Hairong by providing me with any assistance I needed. They both helped by offering support throughout the year and understanding my circumstances.”