Young Mom Who Got Pregnant At 14, Promises “To Work Non Stop” For Her Child, Finishes University At 21
This hardworking young mother is proof that nobody stands in your way of success except for yourself. She became pregnant at a very young age, gave up her education and was bullied for being a teenage mother – but Rachel went against all odds as she knew that there are good things waiting for her out there, she just had to work for them.
Rachel Campey – a 21-year-old from Leeds, UK – recently gained her counseling psychology degree at Leeds Trinity University – with her smiling six-year-old daughter by her side. Her inspiring story went viral, encouraging people not to give up on themselves, no matter how hard the path you’re walking sometimes may seem.
More info: Twitter
Rachel Campey got her degree in counseling psychology while holding her daughter’s hand
Image credits: Rachel Campey
Rachel, who got pregnant at just 14, shared adorable photos of herself graduating from university with her now six-year-old daughter by her side. This week, she got a degree in Counseling Psychology and told the media that it was ‘overwhelming’ to achieve academic success after being kicked out of school at 15.
Rachel told the media that the ceremony was ‘really emotional,’ as she was battling anxiety and the pressure of getting a degree, working and raising a daughter as a single mother. “I saw Lily-Rose’s face as I put my gown and my cap on when I was getting ready for the ceremony, and it just made it all feel so worthwhile,” she said. “I just felt a lot of completion throughout the day. I felt overwhelming love and pride from my family, and from myself, as well as my daughter.” She added that although tired, her 6-year-old was “smiling all day long.”
She took to Twitter to celebrate her achievement and the post went viral
Image credits: RachaelCampey
Rachel got pregnant at 14 and was forced to leave school due to lack of support
Image credits: Rachel Campey
Rachel Campey – a recent graduate who lives in Cross Gates, Leeds – said she had to leave her school months after she became pregnant at the age of 14, as they couldn’t support her. After, she went to various schools before eventually enrolling in York College and going to university from there.
The young mother told the media that her daughter was one of the main inspirations to get a degree: “If I hadn’t had Lily-Rose, because I was struggling with my mental health, I don’t think I would be here now. She changed my whole perception. I was on a very dark path before I had her, and she brightened it all up. I had so many moments in the first year where I didn’t think I could do it, I was walking down the hall crying my eyes out going to drop out of university, thinking ‘this is such a mess, why have I put myself in this situation,” she said.
But her daughter inspired her to move forward while Rachel is inspiring others
Image credits: Rachel Campey
“When I was writing my dissertation, she was doing homework at the side of me, so she gets how long a process it has been,” talking about her adorable 6-year-old, Rachel revealed to the media.
“They accidentally pronounced my surname wrong when I went onto the stage to collect my degree, and I heard her correct them and say ‘that’s my mummy.”
Rachel has been nominated for the inspiration individual award at the 2020 Yorkshire Choice awards and is hoping to continue her education or becoming a public speaker. The young mom is also an ambassador for MindMate, a National Health Service (NHS) organization, that supports young people and professionals.
“If you’re a young parent and you’ve suffered with mental health issues, it doesn’t mean the end of your goals. You can still work towards them whenever you’re ready. Just because somebody says you can’t do it doesn’t mean you can’t actually do it, because you can if you really want to.”
Here’s how people online reacted
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This goes to show that not all teen moms are out there looking for MTV fame. Some are out there busting their butts trying to make things better for their children. I hope you have a good life and wonderful career Rachel.
Understandably you should be proud of your accomplishments. I can just scarcely imagine how much of a whirlwind your life has been in the 6 years you've had your daughter. The life you made for yourself is an amazing one. Congrats on your astounding success and many more years of happiness I hope for you and your daughter.
Congratulations to Rachel! When you set a goal and are determined to see it through, not much can stop you.
Congratulations on your perseverance and hard work, and for assuring a loving and bright future for your daughter! (And to anyone who judges this young woman- shame on you. You don’t know her full story.)
A pregnant 14 year old isn't a bad kid. She's a flipping victim. I'm happy she hasn't let that stop her. Talk about making lemonade.
I wouldn't quite say victim, since there was no mention of rape. Seems like this was her decision. But I'm still glad that she pulled through despite the lack of support, I hope more teen moms and dads learn from her :)
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Wow! I had my boys around 15 years after graduating and i still questioned myself every step of the Way! I have no idea how you managed that- you are truly brilliant, a super mum and an inspiration, i hope -to many! The road to today must have been horribly hard especially dealing with being in your teens on top of everything else. I wish you and your beautiful daughter all the love and luck in the world from this point onwards. I think you have proved that you can do anything you put your mind too but if and when you doubt that please believe in yourself (or message me!) lots of love even though I don't know you and keep aiming high!- you 2 have got this xx
All admiration for this young mom's success and the work it took her to get there. Kudos should and must also be given to her parents or whoever made it possible, by providing free childcare and/or a free place to live and raise her child while working toward her degree.
Great job, but still children shouldn't be having or raising children.
You are an amazing young woman! Congratulations to you for not letting anyone knock you down. You have proven to be an outstanding role model for your daughter. Remember, you did this all by yourself, best wishes for you in the future!!!!
Yay! Look at me, I'm a s**t who does the same thing heaps of normal people do. But I'm a s**t so I deserve more credit! F**k off ho.
If you're going to be as ugly as you, you best try to be nice.
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Better an awful tatoo than no brain and no empathy, like you. A bad tattoo has a solution, being an assh*** is forever.
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This goes to show that not all teen moms are out there looking for MTV fame. Some are out there busting their butts trying to make things better for their children. I hope you have a good life and wonderful career Rachel.
Understandably you should be proud of your accomplishments. I can just scarcely imagine how much of a whirlwind your life has been in the 6 years you've had your daughter. The life you made for yourself is an amazing one. Congrats on your astounding success and many more years of happiness I hope for you and your daughter.
Congratulations to Rachel! When you set a goal and are determined to see it through, not much can stop you.
Congratulations on your perseverance and hard work, and for assuring a loving and bright future for your daughter! (And to anyone who judges this young woman- shame on you. You don’t know her full story.)
A pregnant 14 year old isn't a bad kid. She's a flipping victim. I'm happy she hasn't let that stop her. Talk about making lemonade.
I wouldn't quite say victim, since there was no mention of rape. Seems like this was her decision. But I'm still glad that she pulled through despite the lack of support, I hope more teen moms and dads learn from her :)
Load More Replies... Wow! I had my boys around 15 years after graduating and i still questioned myself every step of the Way! I have no idea how you managed that- you are truly brilliant, a super mum and an inspiration, i hope -to many! The road to today must have been horribly hard especially dealing with being in your teens on top of everything else. I wish you and your beautiful daughter all the love and luck in the world from this point onwards. I think you have proved that you can do anything you put your mind too but if and when you doubt that please believe in yourself (or message me!) lots of love even though I don't know you and keep aiming high!- you 2 have got this xx
All admiration for this young mom's success and the work it took her to get there. Kudos should and must also be given to her parents or whoever made it possible, by providing free childcare and/or a free place to live and raise her child while working toward her degree.
Great job, but still children shouldn't be having or raising children.
You are an amazing young woman! Congratulations to you for not letting anyone knock you down. You have proven to be an outstanding role model for your daughter. Remember, you did this all by yourself, best wishes for you in the future!!!!
Yay! Look at me, I'm a s**t who does the same thing heaps of normal people do. But I'm a s**t so I deserve more credit! F**k off ho.
If you're going to be as ugly as you, you best try to be nice.
Load More Replies... Better an awful tatoo than no brain and no empathy, like you. A bad tattoo has a solution, being an assh*** is forever.
Load More Replies...
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