A thrilled teenager earned fiver A-grade Highers while battling a rare and incurable illness.
Zainab Alani endured intensive surgery as she studied for her English, Maths, French, Human Biolgy and Chemistry qualifications.
The 17-year-old is over the moon at landing the top results after being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis - an autoimmune illness that affects just 15 in every 100,000 people.
The condition causes muscle weakness and fatigue and the Newton Mearns schoolgirl underwent surgery in December to remove the thymus - which controls her immune system.
But despite the challenges, Zainab - who is a pupil at St Ninian's in Giffnock - worked extra hand to get good results in her prelims and prepare fully ahead of her the exams that were cancelled as a result of lockdown.
The delighted teenager, who aims to study medicine at university, explained: "When I was diagnosed with the condition it was quite frightening and then as part of my management plan I had to go in for surgery.
"I was in the hospital for five days after the operation and it took me a long time to recover from it, but as soon as I was able I wanted to get back to school so that I could get some normality back in my life.
"Having the support of my family throughout has been amazing and the school have given me a lot of support too – I can’t thank all the teachers enough.
"Now I want to pursue a career in medicine to give back to all the amazing nurses and doctors who have cared for me throughout this difficult time."
Zainab will study Advanced Highers in Biology, Chemistry and Maths when she returns to school next week for her 6th year.
She added: "I’m so delighted that I’ve got the results now which will hopefully help me go in the direction that I want to.
"When the exams were first cancelled it was a real shock because it has never happened before – not even during the War. So even though this pandemic has turned our lives upside down, I’m delighted that all the hard work I’ve put in has been recognised.
"It’s been a really difficult year and I’ve had so many things to deal with but I’ve stayed positive and am delighted with my results.”
