Saarah ‘proud’ after overcoming tragic loss to make the grade

ACHIEVING two passes at GCSE has been something of a miracle for 19-year-old Bradford College student Saarah Mohammed.

The teenager, who achieved a C grade in Media Studies and an E in English, lost her twin sister and best friend Safiyah in February to the same serious lung disorder she is battling.

The two sisters were born with rare condition Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), that makes it difficult to absorb oxygen and breathe. It also leaves sufferers vulnerable to developing serious viral infections.

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The last six months have been unimaginably difficult for Saarah and her family, who are just pleased Saarah was able to sit the exams at all.

Saarah, who is from Wibsey, Bradford, said: “The exams came at a bad time. Safiyah had just passed away, and I was really struggling to concentrate. I didn’t really want to sit the exams but then I thought I’ll just do my best and see.

“I’m actually quite proud of myself. I had prepared myself for the worst and although I will re-sit my English, I’m very happy with my Media Studies grade.”

Saarah, who has a 21-year-old brother, and a 14-year-old sister, plans to retake her English GCSE in September at Bradford College.

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She added: “I’ve had so much support at Bradford College. My personal tutor has been amazing and they are now helping me to decide how many GCSEs I will be able to cope with next year.”

Safiyah sadly lost her life in February 2013 after complications following a bilateral lung transplant she had undergone in August 2010.

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