A TALENTED artist gained his university degree last week, despite a daily battle with pain and disability.

Colin Pethick, who suffers from a debilitating spinal disease, graduated with a 2:1 honours degree in Fine Art from the University of Plymouth?s art faculty in Exeter.

He was accompanied by his wife Yolande and daughter Emma to the graduation ceremony in Exeter Cathedral last Thursday.

Colin, who lives in Delaware, was diagnosed seven years ago with spondyotheasis, a degenerative

condition of the soft spinal tissue.

He was forced to give up his job as a self-employed builder when the pain in his lower back, legs and hips became too much.

He now relies on a wheelchair most of the time as walking and standing causes chronic discomfort.

Colin said: ?Having to give up my self-employed business and come to terms with the condition caused me to suffer depression, so I focussed on my love of painting, deciding to expand on my self-taught roots.

On the advice of the careers office, he took an access course at Estover Community College, which led to a grade ?A? A-level in Art and Design in 1999.

?Then I gained a place at the same college during the following year on the diploma foundation course,? said Colin. ?I passed that with distinction.?

From there, Colin took a two-year HND course at Plymouth College of Art and Design where he controlled his severe pain with medication.

He passed the HND with another distinction, and then had the choice of topping it up to a BA at the Exeter campus.

He said: ?This was a huge decision as the only place I could do this was at Exeter, Plymouth?s partner college. This meant a drive of 53 miles there and back daily, causing severe discomfort, not to mention the strength of the pain relief I was taking which recommends you don?t drive.

?Again I dug deep and mustered up enough drive and ambition to go ahead after the brilliant support of my close family and friends.

?My wife Yolande and my mother Pauline and father Mervyn all rallied around and helped me through the deepest despair, the times when I could not face anything and the battle against severe pain nearly overcame me.?

Colin?s final piece of coursework earned him the Rupert Lionel Acott award for outstanding achievement in figure painting.

He is registered self-employed again, hoping to paint from his home studio, supplying galleries and private commissions. He also gives one-to-one tuition in oil painting.

Colin?s work, which has featured in exhibitions in London and Birmingham by invitation, is on view until tomorrow (Friday) at Plymouth Art College?s View Point Gallery.

He said: ?Overall, I have climbed that mountain and earned self-respect, contributing to society.

?At the age of 42, it was not too late to change, adapt and make something that is a handicap into a positive experience.?