Navigating Life's Storms: Seaman Earns Psychology Degree While Caring for Mother with Dementia

Seaman, William Graham, has shown dedication and resilience to successfully complete a psychology and counselling degree while balancing the demands of his career at sea and caring for his mother with Dementia and Lewy Bodies.  William, 56, balanced the demanding responsibilities of work offshore and academic studies while embracing the role of a full-time carer for his mother while on land.

William’s journey with The Open University (OU) started because of his family, and it opened his eyes to a way of learning that has changed his life “I tried several times to complete a course over the years and failed. I was talked into it again by my wife and kids after aiding people for years with problems on board ships.”

“I studied to enhance my problem-solving abilities as well as considering a final career change to come ashore permanently in the near future.”

Studying offshore presented unique challenges though and over the years he’s often found himself fighting against the elements, alongside poor signal, to get assignments submitted.

“Life at sea for 4 months a time allows for study while off duty, but connectivity was awful. Many times, I was stood on deck with mobile lofted high attempting to send my TMA. Catch up was usually the next 3 months at home during which I would work on anything I fell behind on along with that current months’ work.”

While the signal may have been better, returning to shore offered its own set of challenges as both William and his wife became his mother’s full-time carers.

“During my study I have become my mother’s full-time carer when not at sea.”

“So many times, I would be struggling with lack of sleep especially while at home and attempting to complete TMAs, almost asleep. During these times it was a matter of sitting there at the laptop until almost midnight to finish any work. Then just getting up next morning and having a day off to allow my brain to rest before attempting to push forward again.”

Looking ahead, William is already seeing the benefit of having finished his degree, particularly in his planning for a possible career in counselling or mental health so he can move closer to his family.

“I am more relaxed than I used to be and find insights occur to me regarding mental health or my mother’s condition than I would have had in the past.”

“My confidence levels have risen exponentially, and I feel as though I have many more options than previously.”

William’s journey is one that could have only happened with the flexibility of the OU but despite this, it’s his personal resilience and perseverance that really shines through.

“I’ve had many failed attempts at study then I forgot about it for over a decade. I am so pleased I took the bull by the horns finally and achieved the degree. You feel far stronger if you can just push through that barrier, whatever it is. The OU will give you plenty of scope to achieve it. Keep in touch and enable them to help you.”

When asked what his proudest achievement was, he told us, “Actually receiving my degree, alongside being accepted on a Masters programme. Something I never considered until a couple of months ago as I never thought I could do it.”

"I ran into a friend a few weeks ago from one of my ships and he said he thought I had already left in order to teach!”

“Who knows?”