A TEENAGER has battled a chronic condition to achieve top results in her A-levels.

Sophie Ainsworth, from Nelson and Colne College, achieved A*, A and B and will study English Literature at Durham University.

The 18-year-old, from West Bradford, was diagnosed with Lupus in 2014 and endured hospital stays and chemotherapy treatment during her two years at college.

She was diagnosed with the condition in 2014 and her joint pain was often so severe she struggled to walk, breathing was painful, she suffered severe fatigue, dramatic weight loss and hair loss.

Despite that she also founded and runs her own non-profit organisation called RAiISE, which aims to raise awareness of invisible illnesses in schools and education, for which she won a research award.

Sophie said she was absolutely delighted with her results. She said: “I have an ambition to be a film director and my qualifications have given me a variety of skills in subjects which complement each other and my future career.”

Sophie has sourced all the funding for RAiISE so far and has led the organisation and delivery of workshops with children and young people all suffering with various illnesses, their families, charity representatives and healthcare professionals to find out what would be useful to make illness during education easier to deal with.

Sophie faced accusations of laziness when her Lupus has been at its worst and that has been her drive to change perceptions.

Sophie said: “The stories that have come out from meeting with these young people and their families only shows what a widespread problem this is and that something needs to be done to change things for the better.”