Daniel travelling down the write path
Despite being legally blind with Type 1 diabetes and a rare form of dwarfism, Daniel Younghusband has achieved many things.
Now he can add author to his list of accomplishments.
His autobiography A Man Makes His Own Luck was launched in Auckland last month.
Younghusband said he started the book three years ago at a time when he wasn’t strong enough to work and was looking for something to do.
‘‘My granny prompted me to write a book so eventually I listened and started writing.’’
Equipped with an iPad, he said he was ‘‘quite happy’’ after completing two pages and ‘‘went on from there’’.
One dollar from every book sold goes to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an organisation close to his heart and one he wanted to become more involved with. The foundation grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Younghusband said he hoped the book motivated people to challenge their disability.
‘‘One of my dream goals is to inspire people to overcome disabilities and not give up and look at their strengths.’’
Younghusband has faced issues with declining physical strength in recent years. But a diet change helped him ditch his walking stick and at 32 he is ready to share his positive outlook.
He said he had chosen not to see his disabilities as obstacles and instead focus on his achievements.
In 2011, he completed his black belt in Seido karate, something which many able-bodied people would struggle with. His improving strength meant he was resuming training and hoped to do his next grading, he said.
Since his book launch, Younghusband has been able to focus on his jewellery microbusiness using paua and silver. It was a step encouraged by Imagine Better, an organisation which supports disabled people.
He was also keen to get into motivational speaking, with his first appearance being in Christchurch at the end of March.
The presentation will be at a workshop to show agencies and parents of young people with disabilities that running a microbusiness was within the capabilities of most ‘‘disabled’’ people.