Nothing could stop Patrick May, 22, from chasing his dream.
The young man from Barden Ridge has secured his first paid job at The Intersection Tavern, Ramsgate, as part of an education-to-career pathways program.
Mr May has a moderate intellectual disability, but that has not stood in his way, proving he is more than willing and able to do the job with the same passion as his colleagues.
He works daytime hours at the pub, and travels to and from work by public transport.
Mr May was a client of Jobsupport as a school-leaver, and spent some time in its transition program where he completed work experience at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, mainly working in the kitchen and food distribution areas.
He was initially placed and trained at Hogs Breath Cafe, Brighton-Le-Sands. Unfortunately the business closed, and Mr May was retrenched.
Along came The Marlow Group, which employs seven people with disabilities including Mr May.
The Intersection is part of the hotel group - a family-owned business with a few venues across Sydney.
Marlow Group's executive chef Tim Oates says he liked the idea of the Jobsupport program, and was willing to give someone with a disability a go.
He employed Mr May to work in the kitchen area doing food preparation tasks and kitchen hand duties.
"Patrick has grown in confidence since he started working at the Intersection and his role has also changed from when he started," Mr Oates said.
"He has taken on more duties and is now involved with setting up of areas within the facility."
Mr May says he enjoys working at the venue, where he meets new people each day.
"I love everything about my job. The best part is the customers and the friendly co-workers," he said.
"I spend my wages going to music concert. I'm seeing Little Mix next."
