It is the day Alice Friedl has worked towards for almost ten years.

Tomorrow she will graduate from university with a first-class degree in the history of design, as well as receiving a special award for outstanding academic achievement.

It is a huge milestone for someone who, for almost 20 years, has battled against a disease most people associate with the elderly.

When Alice first fell ill at the age of ten, doctors thought she had flu.

When her joints became swollen Alice's mother went in search of a second opinion and another doctor confirmed she had the degenerative disease rheumatoid arthritis.

Alice, 29, of Craven Road, Brighton, said: "It was a shock to everyone, especially as there was no evidence of it in the family. I was diagnosed young so I've just accepted it now."

Her mother Sarah, 53, from Preston Circus, Brighton, said she knew it could not be flu.

She said: "I knew it must be more than that because she was in so much pain but I didn't know children could get arthritis."

In fact, 20,000 young people in the UK are affected by rheumatoid arthritis - inflammation in the lining of the joints or internal organs which causes stiffness, swelling, fatigue, weight loss and pain.

Alice initially had to spend eight months at a specialist hospital in London following a rigorous exercise programme.

Although doctors suggested she went into a residential home because of the severity of the disease, Sarah insisted she stay in mainstream education.

Alice has endured countless painful operations, including three hip and two knee replacements. Replacements only last about 15 years so she knows there will be more to come.

But the most difficult period came when she had to abandon a degree in the history of design at Brighton University.

Alice enrolled in 1995 but had to leave two years later.

Her movement had become so restricted she was unable to manage the journey to the classroom - a necessity most students take for granted.

She said: "I had to leave because I could not physically get up the stairs into the building. It was a listed building so they could not make any changes. Just getting there was painful and tiring so it detracted from my concentration. It was very disheartening."

However, thanks to her courage and perseverance, Alice has finally made the grade.

She transferred to an Open University course providing home-based study and accessible tutorials once a month.

She will graduate with a first and receive a special award, given to just two graduates, for outstanding academic achievement or achievement while experiencing difficult personal circumstances.

She said: "I can't believe I got a first. I thought I had just wasted my time so I was really happy when I found I could transfer. It suited me perfectly because I didn't have to go in every day."

She said she had now been offered office work on the strength of her degree.

Sarah said: "I've always been incredibly proud of her achievements - she's so determined and her perseverance is amazing."

Alice hopes her success will inspire other disabled people to follow their dreams.

She refuses to give in to her disability and can often be spotted in Brighton nightclubs. She has also been parasailing and quad biking.

She said: "I don't think of myself as a disabled person and I like to think people just see me for who I am."