After a lot of setbacks, Lyle is now fully trained in therapeutic Swedish massage and is back working.

Since losing his sight, Lyle has lost the ability to do some things but has gained an ability to do many other things he never thought of when he had his sight.

“When you lose your sight your other senses become amplified, including touch. When a person with all their senses touches something they don’t feel the same things I can, and that is a bonus when it comes to therapeutic massage, I can identify problem areas in someone’s muscles just by feeling them.”

Before losing his sight, Lyle was a successful businessman for 24 years in the building industry and said he had a real need to get back into the workforce.

“I am only in my early fifties and want to feel like I am a part of society again. Running my own business was a big part of my life and I can’t wait to get started again and hopefully expand Letitia’s business and feel worthwhile again.”

With the help of Wendy Tom at Network Employment, Lyle spent many months approaching different businesses and organisations with the goal of gaining employment, but he was knocked back each time.

“It frustrates me that people cannot see past Lyle’s disability, he has many wonderful gifts that are not changed by his lack of sight,” Ms Tom said.

“Letitia Kennedy at Your World massage clinic has given Lyle a great opportunity, and is letting him set up therapeutic massage in her premises.”

Wendy said Lyle and herself want to spread the word that disabled people have many skills to offer the community, but they need employers to have faith in them first.

“We hit so many brick walls trying to secure employment for Lyle, it was very disheartening but Lyle took it in his stride,” Wendy said.

“People don’t seem to understand that us people who have lost their sight can do almost anything, granted I won’t be piloting jets or driving buses, but we can do most other things as long as we are taught what to do and given certain equipment,” said Lyle.

Today marks the end of National Disabilities Week and Wendy said one of the week’s slogans was an important message for everyone to remember.

“We always say to clients and prospective employers ‘don’t dis my ability’ we should all remember that message.”