Sister act: siblings graduate together

Kelly (left) and Amanda Nixon with ABDO president, Clive Marchant

Sisters Kelly and Amanda Nixon were among more than 300 graduands to receive their FBDO diploma from ABDO president, Clive Marchant, at the ABDO Graduation and Prize Giving Ceremony held last week (20 November) at Canterbury Cathedral.

Possibly the first siblings to ever graduate at the same time, Kelly began her career in optics slightly ahead of sister Amanda.

Kelly explained: “I first started out in optics aged 18 – working for a small independent practice in mid Wales. Amanda was 16 at the time, and studying health and social care at college. She needed some work experience so came to the practice I was working at – and never really left.”

After a move to Shropshire in 2005, where she worked for Dollond & Aitchison, Kelly then joined Jane Smellie Opticians in 2007.

“Amanda came to live in Shropshire in 2011 and also came to work for Jane. I started the FBDO course at ABDO College first, but for personal reasons deferred my final exams to 2017/2018. Amanda started the course in 2016 and passed her exams this summer.

“We both still work for Jane. I am now business manager for the group and Amanda is manager of the Chester practice. I’m also CET and education coordinator for Shropshire Local Optical Committee, while Amanda is looking into registering as an ABDO tutor.”

The sisters were joined at the special celebration for all FBDO graduates and prize winners by their family.

“It felt a little surreal – but very special to be graduating together,” added Kelly. “Amanda and I are not only sisters but the best of friends – and have spent most of our lives doing things together. It will certainly be a special memory and one for the family album.”

A full report of the 2019 ABDO Graduation and Prize Giving Ceremony will appear in the January 2020 issue of Dispensing Optics.