Student beats illness to walk at graduation

EZRA HAD TO REGAIN ABILITY TO USE HIS FEET ONCE AGAIN

A PLYMOUTH fashion graduate has learned to walk again so that he could collect an award at an emotional ceremony.

Ezra Riley collected his Arts University Plymouth graduation certificate on stage at Theatre Royal Plymouth, nine months after losing the ability to walk.

The 25-year-old, from Exeter, graduated from BA (Honours) Fashion at Arts University Plymouth in an emotional ceremony supported by friends and family.

Ezra studied Fashion at Arts University Plymouth from 2018 to 2022, completing his degree during an uncertain period of ill health and subsequent hospitalisation. He was due to graduate with his cohort early in 2023 but had to defer after a severe bleed on his brain.

Ezra completed the first year of a degree in International Tourism Management at the University of Plymouth before making the decision to transfer to Arts University Plymouth, motivated by his passions for Japanese fashion, culture, and equality.