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Two young students with disabilities are able to realise their dreams with a UWA scholarship.The Dr Louisa Alessandri Memorial Fund has been won by two rural students: Albany student Eleanor Beidatsch and Edward Kammann, originally from Manjimup. They were selected from more than 1,000 applicants for funding to help with fees, equipment, support, interpreters, transport or any service that can enable students with disabilities to achieve their educational goals.

Eleanor is currently enrolled in the Albany Centre's UWA Smart Start program, for prospective students who may not have completed Year 12. She has been scoring top marks and plans to begin a Bachelor of Science in the future.

Eleanor has a severe muscle wasting condition known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy and she needs a scribe to assist with note-taking and a carer to help with her daily living. But she is determined to follow her passion for biological sciences and palaeontology.

Edward is already a student at UWA. He was accepted into the prestigious Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours) program and plans to do a PhD in Chemistry. He had always planned to work as an industrial chemist, but is being encouraged by his teachers to consider a career in research.

Edward, or Woody, lives at Trinity, as his family is from Manjimup, so he needs financial help with the cost of accommodation. The accommodation on campus enables him to attend University and live independently while always having somebody to help him when necessary.

Eleanor and Edward's scholarships are made possible by the family of Dr Louisa Alessandri who set up a memorial fund in her name.

Dr Alessandri was one of the first students with a disability to study at UWA. Despite her Muscular Dystrophy, she completed a PhD in medicine. She died in 1977 at the age of 34 but her legacy continues with students like Eleanor and Woody.