OUR FEARLESS FILM STARS PROVE THAT ANYONE CAN BE FEARLESS, REGARDLESS OF AGE OR ABILITY. BOLD, DARING, AND EXTRAORDINARY, THESE PEOPLE SMASH ALL DISABILITY STEREOTYPES. THEIR FILMS ASPIRE TO CHALLENGE TRADITIONAL VIEWS AROUND THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY. 

Nate Quinell is a fully trained chef. He also happens to be legally deaf and blind, but that’s never stopped him chasing his culinary dreams and becoming an inspiration to many in the process.

Read his Q&A below!

Describe yourself in 5 words:

1. Happy
2. Approachable
3. Organised
4. Fearless
5. Smart

How would your family or friends describe you?

Inspirational.

What makes you unique?

Willingness to help people, not scared to give anything a try regardless of my abilities. Positivity despite my abilities - no excuses.

What do you really love doing?

Cooking is my passion, being an inspiration towards anyone, fishing, walking my guide dog. Listening to different types of music. Being active.

What makes you the happiest?

People, regardless of who they are. Understanding, caring, being outgoing towards people regardless of their abilities. Getting together with family and friends. New opportunities. Being able to promote my cookbook. Having a happy guide dog. Receiving great comments about recipes from my cookbook. Being told I am an inspiration and that I have "able-itated" people.

What upsets you?

Negativity towards people regardless of their ability, e.g. workplaces not willing to employ people or an employer discriminating or not hiring simply because someone has a disability. Cruelty and carelessness towards animals and children regardless of abilities and age.

What would you say are your strengths?

Willing to have a go at anything. Not scared of crowds, going on TV and being in front of people regardless of my ability. Having a never, ever give up attitude. Being able to get out and about thanks to my guide dog.

What would you say are your weaknesses?

Visual impairment, and I sometimes try too hard to achieve things.

What are you most proud of?

Being a chef, putting out a cookbook, becoming a trainer regardless of my abilities.

What are the top three things you want to achieve in life?

1. Employment
2. Earn enough money to one day achieve living an everyday life
3. Hoping one day there will be medical advances with diabetes allowing us to not have to continually check insulin levels. For example, in my case, I can’t actually see the levels on the monitor, so an independent insulin pump would be amazing.

What is important to you in life?

Being alive and having a positive outlook every day. Getting out and about, taking part in community groups and projects. Not letting yourself down by doing nothing.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?

Many employers love the Hurricane chef story, and have wished me well, but reluctant to give me a shot. Being able to still be a chef and using knives and training others regardless of my ability.

If you could change one thing in your life what would it be?

Everyone’s outlook towards anyone with a disability, not just myself. If people with a disability could have an everyday life like everyone else. A driver-less car would be nice!

What are your biggest fears for the future?

Not being able to get a job.

What is your greatest dream in life?

To become as big as Jamie Oliver – restaurants, TV shows, training centres.

How do you feel about having a disability?

Regardless of my ability, I'm not scared to get out and about.

How would you describe your disability and how it impacts you to someone who doesn’t know anything about it?

Being blind and deaf - if there was a bowl of chocolate sitting on the table next to me I would not even know it was there unless someone told me.

What is the hardest thing about having a disability?

From the employment side of things, just trying to get an employer to overlook the restrictions, and focus on the many positives. Lack of public awareness and people being scared and not sure of people with a disability.