A deaf woman has claimed she will soon be a millionaire after setting up a sign language school from her own home.
Katie Redstar, from Leeds, Yorkshire, became deaf after meningitis at the age of three and struggled to find work as an adult.
She hit rock bottom when Job Centre advisers said she would never be employed.
But refusing to live life without any ambitions, she set up a business in 2017, and has now signed contracts with six-figure companies, she said.
The entrepreneur, who has been visually impaired since birth and will soon be blind, has also signed a book deal.
Katie Redstar, from Leeds, Yorkshire, claims Job Centre advisers said she would never be employed because she is deaf and has impaired vision
Ms Redstar set up her own business from home, offering sign language training to companies
She said she has now signed contracts with six-figure companies, and is therefore set to become a millionaire by April
Among those who survive meningitis, approximately one in five will have permanent disabilities, such as brain damage, hearing loss, loss of kidney function or limb amputations, with hearing loss being the most common.
Ms Redstar has also suffered from a rare degenerative disease that impairs her sight from birth, but said it is not clear what this disease is.
Ms Redstar claims in 2017 Job Centre advisers told her she couldn't work and would have to stay on Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for the rest of her life.
She said: 'I was working in a charity shop, but I didn't feel appreciated.
'I told the Job Centre I wanted to work but they told me I couldn't because of my disabilities.
'A friend asked me if I was prepared to accept that, and I said no.
'I had a vision for companies around the world to be accessible for deaf people.'
After learning sign language at four years old, Ms Redstar said the special form of communication became one of her passions.
Ms Redstar set up her own business from home, offering sign language training to companies including EE, in a bid to tear down barriers for other deaf people needing employment.
At first the business, Ignite Your Inner Light, was slow to progress. So Ms Redstar began to write her book, due to be published in June.
After learning sign language at just four years old, Ms Redstar said the special form of communication became one of her passions. Pictured, with her service dog
Next year, Ms Redstar hopes to buy a big house in Portugal and hopes to set up a children's home for 'differently-abled youngsters'
Ms Redstar's pay check will be a far cry from the fortnightly £426 ESA that Ms Redstar has been receiving since December 2006
Health problems after meningitis may be temporary or permanent, physical or emotional.
Physical disabilities may be obvious, however neurological and emotional problems may not be immediately apparent but can also cause a wide range of challenges.
After effects most likely to be caused by meningitis are:
Memory loss/lack of concentration/difficulty retaining informationClumsiness/co-ordination problemsDeafness/hearing problems/tinnitus/dizziness/loss of
