This week saw thousands of students receive their Junior Cert results but for one young woman, the day was extra special.

Nicole Norton, a Clare teenager who suffers from cerebral palsy collected with pride, her results from St Flannan’s College in Ennis – she achieved five honours.

Speaking to the Clare Champion, Nicole’s mom Ann said that she was “so proud” of her daughter.

“People told us that they couldn’t see a day when Nicole would sit a State exam and now she has three As and two Bs.”

Ann told the newspaper, that Nicole is completely reliant on other people and has very little movement. Her right side is slightly better than her left but she doesn’t have much control of her own body.

The Clare teenager uses a laptop to work and types with one hand, she’s visually impaired and has a speech impediment.

The 16-year-old was supported during the Junior Cert by a Special Needs Assistant and a scribe who wrote down her answers.

She did five subjects in the exams because due to medical reasons she had to miss a lot of school. Nicole went through five surgeries in third year.

Her mom admitted that she was nervous about the State exams, but was astonished at the positive outlook her daughter had.

“The amazing part about it was that Nicole kept saying ‘I have the work done, I will be fine’” said Ann. “I am the proudest mom.”

“Regardless of the situation you are in, disability should not stop you from achieving your goals” concluded her mom.

Congratulations Nicole - What an achievement!

Pic via Clare Champion