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2 Nov 2006 09:26:11
A
photographer who survived a heart attack at the age of 27 graduated in Bedford on Friday (27 Oct)
after completing a teacher training qualification.
Paul
Dowker, of Grassholme Drive,
Loughborough, needed to change his stressful lifestyle after the attack he
suffered two years ago whilst playing football. He decided to give up running
his own photography firm and become a teacher to inspire young people.
Paul was
awarded a Post Compulsory Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE), to teach post-16 education, along with fellow
graduates who saw their hard work rewarded at the ceremony at Bedford Corn
Exchange.
De Montfort University’s Bedford campus merged with the University of Luton on 1 August to become the University of Bedfordshire, but this year’s cohort of students all graduated from DMU.
Paul’s
heart attack was caused by a variety of factors, including the fact his body
does not burn cholesterol very well, but working as a photographer was also a
contributing factor. He worked long hours, so didn’t get time to exercise
properly, had an unhealthy diet and was always on the go, travelling up and
down the country.
On top
of the eight tablets he has to take each day to thin his blood, Paul has also
changed his diet and cut out alcohol and fatty food. He has already landed a
job as an Education and Awarding Body Assistant at the Amateur Swimming
Association in Loughborough and now cycles to work to stay fit and healthy.
He is
keen to teach his students about the perils of leading an unhealthy lifestyle.
The 29-year-old said: “My heart attack came as a massive shock to me,
especially as there is no family history of heart problems and I was a non-smoker.
I want people to realise that it is not only older people who suffer heart
attacks and age is irrelevant. If you are eating the wrong foods and not exercising,
the damage is being done.
“By making a few changes to your lifestyle, you can take preventative measures and beat heart disease.”
Paul is currently working with the British Heart Foundation to raise awareness of the increase of heart disease in younger people and is helping to promote the charity’s cycle campaign, to encourage people to take part in one of the many bike rides taking place across the country.
Former Head of Ofsted and now Permanent Secretary of the Department of Education and Skills, David Bell, became an Honorary Doctor of Education at the graduation ceremony for the School of Education.
Latest news» 2006» Nov» Teacher inspires youngsters to live healthily
