|
Su
Chard admits to being terrified when it came to all things technical.
The Chards, a Quaker family, did not even have a television in their
home.
But
when daughter Rose started secondary school, Su, from Cam, realised
she would have to think again.
My whole attitude to life has changed. I can do anything.
 |
| Outstanding
Adult Learner award nominee Su Chard. |
"I
was a complete Luddite when it came to technology," she says.
"I
hated the idea of televisions – and computers. But eventually we
realised Rose’s schoolwork might be affected and we got a computer
– but I refused to go near it.
"Then
I gradually saw what amazing things Rose was able to do with it
and I became intrigued – I suddenly wanted to learn more."
When
41-year-old Su eventually gave in and went on a college course,
little did she know that those first steps back into learning would
open the floodgates.
"After
learning some IT techniques, I realised I wanted to do something
new and exciting." she says.
"By
chance, our local community radio station, Cam FM, was launched
at the same time, giving me the opportunities I needed."
Su
was one of a team of about 50 people who ran the station which broadcast
to 30,000 people for four days last year.
She
learned how to prepare and present radio programmes, both live and
recorded, and she helped with the studio admin and programme scheduling.
She
discovered a skill she never knew she had - so much so that she
won a regional BBC Talent Award for her radio journalism which she
hopes will lead to freelance broadcasting work.
Su
suffers from a long-term neurological illness which means she cannot
work full time, but she now regards her disability as a challenge
rather than a problem.
"My
whole attitude to life has changed. I can do anything – I’m even
learning to play the piano!"
|
