Mohammed Patel was named the Man of the Year at the 2017 Fusion Awards.

Winners of the annual awards were announced at a glittering ceremony on Saturday May 13 at King George’s Hall, Blackburn.

The Man of the Year award was sponsored by ClearTwo.

Asian Image:
 
Known as the ‘The Blind Journalist’ Mohammed Patel has built up an impressive background and has worked across online, radio and broadcast platforms.  He is currently working at BBC Radio 5 live.

Mohammed has retinitis pigmentosa, which has slowly reduced his vision since he was born, causing him to be registered as legally blind aged just nine. He now has only slight vision in his right eye.

He runs a blog and a YouTube channel under the same name, where he talks about his own struggles with his disability and how he overcame them. Patel sees the blogs as a platform to inspire others. 

Whilst Mohammed never doubted his ability to be a journalist, he says he had faced obstacles when initially applying for specific courses. But in the past year he graduated with a first class degree from UCLan and has continued on his dream career.

Mohammed said, “I am extremely happy and humbled to be the Fusion Awards Man of the Year for 2017.

"I want to thank many people including my dad. 

“Keep doing what you like doing and you'll break barriers and achieve what you want to."