Stage set for Curtis to overcome disability

HE may need help when it comes to getting to auditions on time, but Curtis Desire is not letting his condition stand in his way.

The 18-year-old is looking towards a career in the theatre after securing his dream college place and building up a portfolio of TV and stage roles.

Curtis, from Leith, suffers from a condition called dyscalculia, a learning disability which makes it difficult to understand numbers.

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He often gets confused over timings when it comes to making arrangements, but says it is just another hurdle he has to overcome to pursue his dream of making a name for himself in musical theatre.

The former Leith Academy pupil is part of an Enable Scotland programme designed to get young people with learning disabilities into employment.

He is using Learning Disability Week, which runs until Sunday, to reach out to other young people with conditions similar to his own.

He said: "Despite having a learning disability, I believe anything is possible if you are motivated.

"Don't let it hold you back - you are entitled to the same opportunities as other young people your age."

After registering with a casting agency just a year ago, Curtis has already made his TV debut. He has appeared in two episodes of River City and an episode of BBC Three comedy How Not To Live Your Life.

He has also followed in the footsteps of his idols by treading the boards of the Playhouse when he was a member of the chorus of Fame and Oliver! with The Edinburgh Playhouse Stage Experience.

He said: "I hope to go into musical theatre and acting.

"I know it will be difficult but I'm prepared for it. I don't see my disability as an obstacle."

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In September Curtis will be taking up his place at Glasgow Academy Musical Theatre Arts where he will begin an HNC in Musical Theatre.

His mum Ruth Desire, 43, said: "He has loved performing since he was about two-and-a-half. He would go and see things like the Singing Kettle and come home and recreate absolutely everything."

It is estimated that 86 per cent of people in Scotland? with a learning disability are unemployed, compared with 8.6 per cent of the general population.

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