by Robert Johnson

A DAD has praised the firm that gave his disabled son a chance in life after he'd been turned down for 170 jobs.

Twenty-three-year-old John Darbyshire of Lowton, who suffers from Diaplegic Cerebral palsy, had given up hope of ever finding work. In three years of job-hunting, he applied for 168 vacancies, but only had 22 interviews.

But last month his persistence finally paid-off when Atherton firm Sterling Financial Advice offered him a part-time post.

Wheelchair

The Market Place firm fitted a disabled toilet, installed ramps and bought an electric wheelchair with a hoist seat so John could reach the higher drawers on the filing cabinets.

His delighted dad, John, said: "The company are a credit and I wish others would follow their lead. The look on John's face when he came home from work that first day will stay with me forever.

"John was vegetating and getting demotivated because of the lack of work opportunities. As a parent it's heartbreaking, the system actually stinks.

"On more than one occasion when John has attended interviews his potential employer would read his CV and talk about how many athletics medals he had won and the cost of his wheelchair -- but nothing to do with the vacancy and his qualifications."

Sterling Finance Managing director Dr Mike Morris said they were delighted to give John the employment opportunity he "clearly deserved".

He said: "At his interview it became clear that John possessed a range of skills and qualities which could be utilised. He has settled into our team quickly and is using his IT abilities to establish an electronic database designed to give our employees fast and efficient access.

"Sterling Financial Advice looks forward to a long and mutually rewarding relationship with John."