Thank 2008 for optimism in the year ahead

Share with me optimism for 2009 by looking back with gratitude to positive outcomes in 2008. Overall, I can say last year was a good year, despite some setbacks, and I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who has helped me in all of my business initiatives.

I can even look back on an unsuccessful business venture which failed, as I learnt so much about running a business. This "business failure" trait, shared by many highly successful entrepreneurs, bodes well for the future as I am now more experienced in understanding the pitfalls.

Perhaps others reading this running a struggling business can take something positive from my message and also look ahead more optimistically.

My philosophy on life, which I also apply in my business activities, is "Give and You Shall Get". As a result, it was a great honour for me to be short listed for the Person of the Year Award at the RADAR People of the Year Human Rights Awards event in December.

I was nominated for my "out of comfort zone" charity challenges and efforts to promote a better and more accessible life for disabled people.

The charity highlight this year was my Humber Parasail Challenge in July, which so far has raised over £1800 for The Sir Bobby Robson Foundation. The great man, who is fighting cancer for the fifth time, has already raised over £1 million in under 9 months to establish a cancer research centre on Tyneside. Click here to see a video, some photos and find out more about this event, which was a great thrill for me.

My disability highlight of the year was appearing on the BBC Politics Show reviewing accessibility in Newcastle. The film report showed there is still a lot to do to improve access in the World and to make the Disability Discrimination Act legislation more effective. You can see the film report and read more about the issues by clicking here. I'd then invite you to sign my e-petition asking the Government to amend the Act by enforcing a simple adjustment that every business can afford to implement by clicking here.

The year is ending with my WheelchairSteve business having more clarity on its direction for 2009 and beyond. This is to work with schools offering a positive attitude message to children of all ages through talks, coaching and events.

It has been my pleasure over the last 3 months to have worked in a special school for disabled children in South Shields on the Young Enterprise Scheme, where children learn in a practical way about setting up and running a business venture.

The kids at the school, who have a varying range of disabilities, so far have made money from a number of Halloween and Christmas related activities, but I'd like to pick out just one for special mention.

A fifteen year old boy (who, unfortunately, I don't have permission to name and publicly praise at this time) made money for their business "Something Bizarre" by wrapping Christmas presents. He did one for me and the quality of his work was excellent - much better than I could have done myself. This boy has no right hand at all and only short "stumps" for fingers on his left hand. He saw this as no barrier to him succeeding. I think this demonstrates a fantastically positive "can do" message, don't you agree?

I'm a fellow disabled person who has also come through special school education over 40 years ago. I'm inspired by his achievement, which has helped me define my mission for the future. This is to encourage and work with disabled people to build on their strengths and leverage the value they offer to society. I hope you will lend your support to me in the years ahead to support my aims.

This also highlights the Government's initiative to help people on Incapacity Benefit to focus on what they can do rather than what they can't when it comes to gaining meaningful employment, so hopefully this will help me benefit from grant funding to support my business ventures.

Finally, my key message for 2009 is "Put an ACE in Your Life". In support of my social enterprise initiative to help disabled children leaving full time education to financially gain from their skills, WheelchairSteve Ltd will be offering keynote speeches and training to business organisations and schools with this ACE message - Appreciate, Communicate and Educate.

Find out more at www.wheelchairsteve.com.

Best wishes for 2009.

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