A determined young Port man who suffers from a rare brain disease has defied the odds to secure his first job

Sean Devlin was rushed to hospital after suffering a major stroke while abroad on holiday when he was just five years old.

Luckily his quick thinking mum Theresa recognised the symptoms and took him straight to hospital where he received emergency care.

He was later diagnosed with moyamoya - a rare disease caused by the narrowing or blockage of the four main blood vessels in the brain which can cause strokes.

As a result of the stroke, Sean is unable to use his left hand but he has not let the condition hold him back and has just landed his first job, working at the new Inverkip Community Hub.

The 23-year-old said: "It's a good feeling to have a job.

"I hope to inspire other people to help out at the hub or inspire other people with disabilities to go out and find a job.

"I feel like I'm part of the team and I'm not treated any different.

"I'm very thankful for the opportunity."

Sean's parents Theresa and Patrick say they are so proud of their son.

Theresa said: "He's very determined.

"I have seen his confidence grow since he started at the hub and he's really enjoy it.

"He doesn't let anything hold him back.

"We're so grateful to Kevin at the hub for giving him the opportunity."

Theresa vividly remembers the frightening moment when Sean suffered his stroke in Greece.

She said: "I recognised the symptoms, his speech was slurred when he talked and his face sloped to one side and his arms and legs were hanging.

"I took him to hospital where they confirmed that he had a major stroke.

"As a result he was paralysed down his left side.

"When he came home he couldn't walk and he couldn't use his left arm at all so he had to get physiotherapy for months and months.

"But he was determined to walk again which he did.

"He just got on with it."

Sean was then diagnosed with his rare condition.

Theresa added: "Moyamoya is when there is a narrowing of arteries going to the brain.

"It can cause mini strokes, major strokes and it can cause brain haemorrhages.

"It's not a very nice disease.

"But Sean takes it all in his stride."

Sean attended St Michael's Primary and St Stephen's High before going on to study at West College Scotland.

Through a certificate for work readiness course, he gained work experience at Inverkip Community Hub.

Kevin Rodgers, manager at the hub, was so impressed by Sean that he took him on as a modern apprentice.

He said: "Sean is doing great.

"I have seen him come on leaps and bounds.

"He does a bit of everything - he's always willing to try things, he doesn't shy away from anything.

"He has a disability but it hasn't stopped him - he's pretty amazing."

Leeann Jenkinson, employability advisor at West College Scotland, says Sean is a terrific role model.

She said: "While Sean was on work experience at the hub Kevin saw his potential so we worked together to try and get Sean a modern apprenticeship in facilities management with funding from the Scottish Employer Recruitment Incentive.

"Kevin saw the skills and qualities Sean already had and has helped to nurture that."

Sean says he loves working at the hub where he carries out a range of important duties, including doing the fire drill, setting up the cinema, helping out in the library and at reception.

Kevin said: "This is Sean's first real job as he has been at college for the past six years.

"It's great for his CV as he now has employment history."

To celebrate his success, Sean recently gave a motivational speech in front of hundreds of people at the jobs fair in Greenock Town Hall, with Councillor David Wilson, who is the depute provost, describing him as 'an inspiration'.