A Dundee University student and the man who saved her life on the day she was born have been officially reunited after more than 30 years.
Sarah Beattie was born 14 weeks premature and weighing just 1lb 5oz on February 4 1986 when Naren Patel was the consultant obstetrician at Ninewells Hospital.
Now aged 31, she has received her Diploma in Legal Practice from the veteran medical professional, who is now Lord Naren and chancellor of Dundee University.
It comes a year after she formally received her degree in law from him, which is when Ms Beattie’s mum, Morag Beattie, made the connection.
Ahead of officially receiving her qualification at the graduation ceremony in Dundee’s Caird Hall, the trio were reunited face-to-face in the neighbouring City Chambers.
And Lord Naren – who worked at the hospital for 40 years – humbly played down his part in Ms Beattie’s birth, claiming her “marvellous” survival was down to the hospital’s special care baby unit.
He said: “I think my role in this has magnified. I just happened to be there and assist, in a small way, Morag to do the delivery. (I) happened to be there at the right time.
“These days fortunately things have changed, but in those days the weight that Sarah was and the premature she was, it wasn’t likely to be a good outcome.
“But you see her here today, getting a second degree. It is marvellous.”
Dundonian Morag, 52, said she wasn’t allowed to hold her new-born daughter for two weeks after she was put in an incubator following the delivery.
She added Sarah was even baptised the day after her birth as she was “expected not to make it”.
“When I brought Sarah up to the ward for the weekend, as you did then before you take the baby home, he (Lord Naren) was so nice, and he came into the room,” she said.
“I had her in my arms thinking ‘oh, I’ll get into trouble’ and all this but he said ‘no, you cherish your child’. He was lovely. I will always remember that.
“Because I was a single parent my dad was a father figure in her life. Sadly he passed away but it is through his kindness and encouragement to Sarah to give her the belief she could do it.”
Sarah, who now hopes to secure a traineeship and become a lawyer, said she was “so thankful” to Lord Naren.
She said: “I think it’s amazing, I mean last year I didn’t realise the connection when I graduated but then to meet him this year is just surreal to be honest.”
Sarah’s brother, Billy Douglas, was also there to witness the touching encounter on Thursday.
