Inspirational Fermanagh mother of two, Melanie Grimsley, who was seriously injured in a car fire in 1988, which claimed the life of her older sister, recently graduated with a first class honours degree in law at the Ulster University’s Magee Campus in Londonderry.

She dedicated her dissertation to her late sister, Amanda, whom she says she always thinks about. “She was very much in my mind on graduation day and how far I had come,” said Melanie, who was joined at her graduation by her two young sons, Will, seven, and Leo Oliver, five.

The 29-year-old Kesh woman, who enjoyed her special day, is now looking forward to embarking on her apprenticeship with Murnaghan Fee Solicitors in Enniskillen, whom she said dealt with her civil case, and whom she did her work experience with during her degree.

Having embarked on her law studies, she gained work experience with them over two summers, and now she will serve her apprenticeship in their offices, starting early next month, September.

Accomplishing her degree wasn’t always easy for Melanie. “Law is an intense course any way; there’s lots of reading and studying to do. I love the subject which helped,” she said.

Having her children meant that she was coming home to them in the evening and then studying when they were in bed.

For her, studying started at nine o’clock at night, and she was travelling to Londonderry three days a week, which she admits made it “challenging.” However, “the amazing thing about Magee,” she felt, was that there was a few of them there, who had children, and they were in her law class.

“Juggling in amongst other things,” Melanie felt that it was nice to have support of other students facing the same situation.

She remembers an occasion typing one of her essays in bed with Leo sleeping beside her because he had flu.

“He wanted his mummy and I was trying to type this essay,” admitted Melanie, who managed it in the end.

She confesses there were many times when she did think that “I would not see the end” and there were “times it did get all too much and it was hard.” But she went on, and says she is “really glad” she did so. And no matter how difficult it was, she always managed to fulfill it.

Inspiration came from her sister Amanda, whom she said “never got a chance” to have these experiences.

“It keeps me going at times when I am finding it hard,” feels Melanie, whose sister was in her thoughts at her graduation.

“My dissertation is dedicated to Amanda; her name is on the front of it,” mentioned Melanie, who herself sustained serious injuries in the car blaze 27 years ago. Over the years there were many hospital visits for Melanie, who underwent a lot of treatment, but she never let it hold her back.

And now as she looks forward to the next part of her life and career, Melanie was delighted to be joined on her graduation day by Will and Leo, whom she says were “so excited.” They had brought along their Nintendo DS games, which she says they played “until mummy came up” and then stopped for her special moment. “I am very honoured that they stopped playing,” smiled Melanie.

Having now achieved her law degree, the young woman, whose results saw her finishing among top students in her years of study and who collected prizes during her studies, admitted that her degree was one of those things when you start it, ‘the end result seemed far away,’ but it came around.

“It’s just amazing; it opens up a whole new chapter,” believes Melanie, who regards it as “exciting too.” The young woman, who plans to become a solicitor, having always wanted to practise from when she started, will become qualified on completing her two years’ apprenticeship.

Those who have backed her along the way, including family and friends are appreciated by Melanie, who acknowledges them for “providing the support that made it possible.”