Doing Business as a Disabled Person

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Hello,

It's an interesting topic. Disabled people are overlooked for employment and suffer from the highest unemployment or underemployment.

Here's what I did to overcome and NOT be a casualty.

#1. Once it had settled into my brain that yes, I am now a disabled person. The only thing to do was take an inventory of skills and decide WHERE to go with them.

#2. Being a red seal meant that my options were semi-okay. You see, before my disability, I made LOTS of money training cooks. That is no longer an option as I need to sit down every few hours. No one would hire me. Even though my skills are in abundance.

#3. It was more than skills, it boiled down to desire. What aspect of the culinary world really intrigued me? Chocolate. It simply fascinates me. You see, not only do I have my first disablity. They diagnosed me with Asperger's.

Once my mind was wrapped around the Asperger thing, it became easier to use it as the gift that it is. We learn fast and technology is a draw.

All of my graphics are created by myself. Heck, when I get bored, my task becomes calculating nutritional information. That's exciting for me! I LOVE numbers.

So, if you suffer from a disability, DO NOT allow ANYONE to hold you back or judge you. JUST GO FOR IT. My chocolate business did a sad few thousand in sales the first year. That was from my kitchen table. Now, it has its own government certified factory and we ship chocolates all over Western Canada.

If I can muddle my way through a business, so can you.

Regards
Andrew Harrison - Chef De Cusine
Canada
  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    I became officially disabled in 2007.
    Before that I was making pretty damn good money doing contract IT work.
    After that I had to live below poverty level for a good while.
    I am now in the process of getting back up in all areas of my life,but I can relate to what you have been there. One of the biggest things we have to do is keep a positive attitude.
    Stay Positive.
    Kim
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    • Profile picture of the author RedSealCanada
      Originally Posted by KimW View Post

      I became officially disabled in 2007.
      Before that I was making pretty damn good money doing contract IT work.
      After that I had to live below poverty level for a good while.
      I am now in the process of getting back up in all areas of my life,but I can relate to what you have been there. One of the biggest things we have to do is keep a positive attitude.
      Stay Positive.
      Kim
      It seems to be in the attitude and just going for the gusto. Those who are not disabled have a hard time understanding forever pain etc. . .
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    WHOA! You mean that Canada dos not automatically honor credentials across the country?

    Having to sit down every few hours doesn't seem like THAT much of a disability. I mean how long d you have to stand at a time to teach, or to even really cook. People should be willing to hire you with no real qualms.

    As for AS? For the most part the disability in most such professions is really overblown. AND, as you said, it can actually HELP! The primary negative feature is SOCIAL. And, as you said, it often has a few POSITIVE features.

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author RedSealCanada
      Originally Posted by seasoned View Post

      WHOA! You mean that Canada dos not automatically honor credentials across the country?

      Having to sit down every few hours doesn't seem like THAT much of a disability. I mean how long d you have to stand at a time to teach, or to even really cook. People should be willing to hire you with no real qualms.

      As for AS? For the most part the disability in most such professions is really overblown. AND, as you said, it can actually HELP! The primary negative feature is SOCIAL. And, as you said, it often has a few POSITIVE features.

      Steve
      Doesn't seem like much of a disablity? No kidding? Well my friend, I have two eye-implants, and my medication ate my leg muscles and my body does crazy stuff now. Bone pains, fingers stop working whenever they want. This is from my medication. Chefs, run a marathon all day. I also have Asperger's.

      My Asperger's is a true gift, (ONLY when I am working alone though) Being around people is just NOT fun for me.

      Those that have cooked at a professional level know that it's like an Olympic workout. Eveything is done in triple time and there is ZERO time for slow.
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      • Profile picture of the author seasoned
        Originally Posted by RedSealCanada View Post

        Doesn't seem like much of a disablity? No kidding? Well my friend, I have two eye-implants, and my medication ate my leg muscles and my body does crazy stuff now. Bone pains, fingers stop working whenever they want. This is from my medication. Chefs, run a marathon all day.
        I MEANT with regard to the job!! You didn't say what the disability was, other than to not being able to stand for more than a few hours.

        Originally Posted by RedSealCanada View Post

        I also have Asperger's.

        My Asperger's is a true gift, (ONLY when I am working alone though) Being around people is just NOT fun for me.
        Yep, I know about that, and mentioned that.

        Originally Posted by RedSealCanada View Post

        Those that have cooked at a professional level know that it's like an Olympic workout. Eveything is done in triple time and there is ZERO time for slow.
        You were talking about teaching though.

        I was trying to be POSITIVE about the whole thing to ENCOURAGE you, NOT to offend or belittle.

        Steve
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  • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
    Cool. Thanks for the inspiring post Andrew. : ) I love to read stories about Entrepreneurs succeeding against the odds.

    Cheers.
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    "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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    • Profile picture of the author RedSealCanada
      Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

      Cool. Thanks for the inspiring post Andrew. : ) I love to read stories about Entrepreneurs succeeding against the odds.

      Cheers.
      You are welcome, and now I have to make chocolates for 9,000 women. 8 - 9 days of work. Should be interesting.
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      • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
        Originally Posted by RedSealCanada View Post

        You are welcome, and now I have to make chocolates for 9,000 women. 8 - 9 days of work. Should be interesting.
        Sounds fun. : )
        Signature
        "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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  • Profile picture of the author laurencewins
    Instead of saying you're disabled, it's better to say you're a person with a disability. I too have numerous ailments so I am a person with disabilities but they don't run my life. I manage to do things anyway and will keep doing so.
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    Cheers, Laurence.
    Writer/Editor/Proofreader.

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