Each and every one of us all is different in many ways. But sometimes we forget it and end up in judging, discriminating and rejecting others.
A person with a disability lives a hard life as they have to face many challenges in their life on a daily basis. Some of the challenges they are facing is employment, house, public transport, and attitudes.
But, you can overcome the challenges and pursue your dreams even if you are suffering from a disability. One of the great examples of this is Michael Coyne.
This person is a Special Olympics athlete. He lives with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and bipolar disorder.
Once he turns 21, he applied for many jobs and he always turned down.
He has applied for many places with his qualifications of completing a program in the hospitality field and gained the skills required by the foodservice industry. But, no one wanted to hire him.
This was really hard for his mother too. Sheila said:
“It’s not easy for parents to watch your kid sit around the kitchen table while everyone else is enjoying life and coworkers, and talking about their day.”
Michael was very dedicated and determined to succeed. He doesn’t let negativity discourage him. He stopped finding a business willing to hire him and decided to create his own business
He took business classes, and soon opened his coffeehouse, “Red, White & Brew Coffeehouse”, in North Smithfield, Rhode Island.
The ‘About’ section of the Facebook page reads:
“We are a family-owned coffee shop serving up more than a cup of coffee. We employ people with developmental disabilities, encourage community engagement, and change the way the world sees those with disabilities.
We are a specialty coffeehouse, selling locally roasted coffee beans. We also sell muffins, pastries, and calzones. We share our home with The Budding Violet, a unique gift shop filled with items from local artists.”
He gave the opportunity for people with disabilities to show their talent and turn a profit on their wares. This also brought hope to families in a similar situation.
Even though Michael initially feared that he would hate the job, he enjoyed it a lot.
He explained that his restaurant is “a beacon of hope for people with disabilities.”
His mother added:
“We’ve had parents come in with tears in their eyes with the hope that their young children will eventually be accepted into the community.”