A vision-impaired, intellectually disabled teenager has created a burgeoning beef jerky micro-business and his tasty treats could soon be sold nationwide.
Kai Loomes has a passion for music and dreams of being a radio announcer, but until that happens, he’s working on growing his business, ‘A Blind Man’s Jerky’.
Kai and his mother Kelly recently took his jerky to A Fair Day Out, a market at Eumundi that allowed people with different abilities the chance to showcase their creative endeavours.
“We were very busy,” Kelly said.
“Kai’s day was very successful and he sold 32 packs of jerky. We have also had a lot of interest from family and friends who want to purchase and some even want it posted interstate.”
The 18-year-old lives with a vision impairment, autism and an intellectual disability, and it was a NDIS-funded support worker who suggested he start his own micro-business.
“Kai is totally blind and came up with the name A Blind Man’s Jerky,” Kelly said.
“He’s also had a T-shirt designed and wants to make stubbie coolers with his logo on it. Kai had never had jerky before, but now he’s tried it, he loves it.
“He also has a great sense of humour, which is reflected in the flavour names of his jerky with each one having a different funny slogan. He also has some crazy ideas for different flavours, for example chilli chocolate jerky and burger ring jerky.”
The slogan for his teriyaki jerky is ‘teriyaki to stop your dad being narky’ and for the non-flavoured jerky it’s ‘no frills, ridgy didge’.
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Kai’s long-term goal for A Blind Man’s Jerky is to set up a website, where people across Australia can enjoy his treats, but in the interim, and with the help of his support workers, he’s selling his products through social media and by word of mouth.
Kai looked forward to growing his business but his main passion is music. He can play the keyboard by ear and is pitch perfect.
He also attends music therapy and has produced a song called “I like to jam with my friends”.
He bought a new keyboard with the money he made from selling his jerky at Eumundi.
“I love playing the keyboard and chilling out,” he said.
“Now, I have three keyboards and I can make more beats, more music. I want to have a million dollars and get 100 keyboards,” he said.
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Kai said while he enjoyed going to school, he also liked being in the real world and hanging out with his support workers and going horse riding every second Tuesday.
“I listen to the announcers on the radio and think I could do that,” Kai said.
Kelly said Kai’s dream job would be working as a radio host.
“He loves everything music and is very knowledgeable in music trivia,” she said.
“Kai loves telling jokes, so his support workers are looking into radio stations on the coast who might give him the opportunity to have a regular time slot to tell some jokes,” she said.”
Since accessing the NDIS, Kai has access to an occupational therapist, physiotherapist and an orientation and mobility instructor.
He’s recently started boxing, which Kelly said was great for his balance because previously he struggled to stand on one foot.
“The NDIS has made it possible for Kai to access therapists that we could not afford and this has been an amazing help,” Kelly said.
“They are teaching Kai life skills and helping him to become as independent as possible. They are also teaching us skills to help Kai at home.
“Kai is able to connect with friends and like-minded people through social groups and organised activities. He also has some amazing support workers who take him to his activities and programs and also provide respite for our family if needed.”
“Getting access to the NDIS really has been a great thing for our family, but especially for Kai because it’s given him so many more opportunities.”
Carers Queensland can support you to find out more about the NDIS, to apply for funding and to help you get started with the NDIS.
If you have a disability but are not eligible for the NDIS, Carers Queensland can help you identify and link to options for support in your community.
You can also contact Carers Queensland on 1300 999 636, cq.enquiries@ndis.gov.au, or sign up to the LAC Connect app.
