A Maldon father of nine is celebrating after being chosen as one of three Essex winners of an individual award during Adult Learners Week.
Anthony Whitehead, 52, became unable to work four years ago after suffering 15 per cent burns.
A car hit his mobile catering business while he was serving, covering him in boiling liquid.
Anthony Whitehead
He started art classes at East Essex Adult Community College as a form of therapy, then decided to learn Italian two years ago.
While studying, Mr Whitehead, of Woodfield Cottages, lost the sight of his right eye through Hodgkin's disease.
He has recently finished a course of chemotherapy and has begun undergoing radiography.
At a ceremony in London last week, Mr Whitehead picked up his winner's certificate and £200-worth of learning vouchers.
"It is all about keeping going and giving yourself something to focus on," he said.
"There was a traumatic side to the accident that I didn't realise. "Art was therapeutic, but Italian was ideal.
"Sometimes you need to tax the brain more than is necessary."
Mr Whitehead was nominated for the award by his tutor, Mrs Gina Wood-Hill.
It is given to people who have improved their own or someone else's lives or overcome difficult circumstances through learning.
Published Friday, May 23, 2003
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