Stephanie Hall

The day paramedics saved my nan’s life is the day my life changed too. They were called out after my nan had taken very ill. The situation was very scary, but as soon as they walked in, I was struck by how calm and professional they were.

The way the paramedics made us feel, and the care they gave my nan, made such an impact on me. It just hit me in that moment that being a paramedic was what I wanted to do. A couple of years ago I didn’t know I wanted to be a paramedic, now I can’t imagine doing anything else.

People often think of paramedics as just first aiders. They’ve got no idea how much depth we go into on this course. I’ve learnt so much about the body, as well as about illnesses and medications.

It’s not like it looks on the TV. In my first year I said to my mum, ‘I feel like I’m training to be a doctor,’ it’s mentally and physically hard work, but so rewarding.

The first time I attended a cardiac arrest, and we saved the person’s life, was the most incredible moment. If I could bottle that feeling I’d share it with the world.

At the age of 30, I was diagnosed with dyslexia. I failed my exams at school, so I was very nervous about starting a degree. After my first assignment, my tutor called me in and said, ‘I think you’re dyslexic’. I got sent for a referral and was identified as dyslexic. Coming to university has been a series of discoveries for me.

Edge Hill’s support for my dyslexia has been amazing. They put things in place for me, like extra time in exams, and I haven’t failed anything since. Once I got the diagnosis all the failures suddenly made sense. I would have carried on struggling for the rest of my life without Edge Hill.

I’ve discovered a confidence I didn’t know I had. I was very shy when I joined the course and would never speak up or volunteer in practical lessons, but now I’m the first up. I feel like a completely different person.