A London based businessman has demonstrated that people with disabilities should not be dissuaded from attempting to make a success of themselves in the catering industry.

Mr John Charles, who is 37 years old, tragically lost his sight over the space of three weeks back in 1996. He had just graduated from the University of East London at the time, when he suddenly began to experience excruciating headaches, which led to the complete deterioration of his eyesight.

Nevertheless, Mr Charles was determined to utilise the business degree for which he had worked so hard, to set-up his own catering company. However, in an experience that mirrors that of thousands of other people, after managing to arrange several meetings with leading high-street banks, he was turned down by them all.

The charity, Action for Blind became involved and helped Mr Charles to source the funding to get Catering2Order up and running. The charity itself specialises in assisting those with visual impairments in setting up their own businesses through the project Future Visions.

Mr Charles still maintains contact with the charity, which refers clients that contact their organisation to him.

When speaking about the role of disabled people in the industry, Mr Charles said: “A lot of people with disabilities are put off working in catering but there’s no reason they can’t do it”.

Catering2Order has recently been valued at over £1 million and is a shining example of triumph in the face of adversity.

Posted by Matt on the 31st March 2010