IT IS ten years since Julie McElroy first won the hearts and minds of Evening Times readers with her inspirational attitude to life.

She had just completed an arduous 250-mile trek through the Andes, battling blizzards, extreme heat and crocodile-infested rivers when we wrote about her in the newspaper.

It would have been a remarkable achievement for any young person, but Julie has cerebral palsy and is profoundly deaf.

Her story instantly won over our readers and she quickly became a champion for disability rights, taking on challenge after challenge, defying the odds and confounding expectations.

This week, the 31-year-old from Jordanhill will graduate with a PhD in assistive technology from the University of the West of Scotland.

Not bad for a child whose parents were told to ‘wait and see’ what would happen to their daughter, shortly after she was diagnosed.

“The doctors were vague about what would happen to me and they did say I’d probably end up in a wheelchair,” explains Julie.

“But I had a twin sister, and I wanted to do everything she did.”

She adds: “My late auntie Ann was influential in helping me to walk when I was three. But I really had a very normal childhood – my parents never wrapped me up in cotton wool.

“I went to mainstream Brownies and Guides. I was able to ride a two-wheeler bike by the aged of 10.”

Julie admits it has not always been easy.

“I have had to work to improve on everything I do, and that determination has developed from childhood,” she says.

“Even my mum can’t understand where I get my tenacity from. I have surpassed expectations and I think that’s because of my positive upbringing and staying buoyant through challenging situations.

Julie admits she doubted at times that she could achieve a PhD.

“It didn’t think it was going to be possible, as my language acquisition was poor in the early years of growing up,” she says. "Cerebral palsy also affects movement and mobility.

“I went to a special needs school where the emphasis was on vocational development and independence and less on academic ability.

“From the moment I moved into mainstream further education - first at Cardonald College, then Glasgow Clyde College and the UWS, I pushed my ability to succeed.

“I feel very fortunate to have met Dr Mark Stansfield, my PhD supervisor, who has supported me on this very challenging journey and inspired me to excel above and beyond.”

Julie's research is in the complex and rapidly developing area of assistive technology, which covers everything that helps disabled students to integrate into education.

“While there has been significant work to remove barriers to support students with disabilities into education, there is a lack of understanding around it, and often there are too many confusing and complicated processes involved in relation to securing funding," says Julie.

“It was my toughest mental challenge so far – a huge leap from an Honours year.

“But I’m glad I did it as I see how fierce the jobs market is. My only hope now is that employers see me as a ‘girl who can’ – someone who demonstrates that disability is no barrier to achieving success.”

Julie smiles when she recalls the first stories written about her in the Evening Times.

“Can you believe it has been ten years?” she laughs. “I am surprised by the way people were so interested in me – I am just Julie. I just wanted to have the same life aspirations as my able-bodied peers.

“We all face challenges, some more than others, but it is how you adapt and grow to face what life throws at you.”

She admits she was shocked to be nominated for Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year 2011.

“I thought it was incredibly crazy and bizarre to be in the top five of such a prestigious accolade,” she says.

“I was quite young too, compared to the other women. I feel like I still have lots to do before I can be recognised …”

In 2012, Julie took on the mammoth challenge of trying her hand at all of the Paralympic sports featuring in the forthcoming Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

She teamed up with a coach or athlete from all five - lawn bowls, athletics, track cycling, swimming and powerlifting – and spent two years learning how to compete.

It might seem easy to a woman who by this point had trekked through the Andes, climbed mountains and canoed Highland lochs, but it was a challenge which pushed her even further out of her comfort zone.

“It was a hard journey and pushed me beyond my capabilities," she says. "But the idea was to show that determination can get you there, whether you are a disabled athlete or Usain Bolt."

As she prepares for her graduation, Julie paid tribute to the university staff and her family who have helped her achieve it.

“I’m grateful to UWS, who fully embrace students with disabilities,” she says.

“The university has given me the best start.”

She smiles: “And my family have been the biggest support to me. My mum has been with me through my PhD every step of the way, every frustration.”

Julie says being considered a role model for young people - disabled and able-bodied – is a great honour.

“I’d say to them – apply a positive mindset and achieve what you want to achieve,” she says.

“I have finished this chapter of my life but it’s really just the beginning.

“I’m passionate about making a difference. There is plenty of scope to help change things for the better for people with disabilities in Glasgow and Scotland.”

She adds: “I think life is about having the guts to grasp opportunities and to see things through to the end, no matter how challenging they may be.”