Bonnie Stevenson, 16, of Queen Street, Southminster, achieved ten GCSEs, made more remarkable by the fact she was extremely ill during the year.
Bonnie suffered granulomatosis with polyangiitis – a serious condition involving the swelling of the blood vessels affecting the nose, sinuses, ears, lungs and kidneys.
The condition can spread to other organs as well, including the brain, nerves and heart and can lead to tissue damage.
Bonnie said: “I thought it was sinusitis, but it wasn’t, so we have been in Great Ormond Street Hospital this summer.
“It’s been very stressful, I would go into my exams crying because I have been in so much pain, but to have got these achievements is fantastic.
“I thought I would get these grades not being ill, to get them when I was ill is amazing."
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