Andy Higgins has locked in syndrome. He cannot move and communicates through a computer system.

After suffering a stroke in 2003, the father-of-two's life completely changed overnight. Locked in Syndrome is a rare neurological condition which leads to almost complete paralysis of the muscles.

But while the diagnosis creates significant physical problems, Andy's brain has not been affected.

"People who know me realise what I can do." he says. "I had a normal council scheme upbringing and I did well when I left school. People that I know remember this. I have also trained people in the areas of engineering and computing. They understand I have full mental capacity."

Before the stroke at aged 32, Andy was a successful engineer and had hoped to continue in this field when he left hospital.

His willingness to continue working and his required computer skill were unhindered by his condition, but the Lanarkshire man was advised by staff at the Job Centre that he was not fit for full-time employment.

"I am very skilled. I am a modern manager. I am far more skilled and adaptable, I understand people better, I understand people's needs," he explains.

He left hospital and immediately became angered by the discrimination that disabled people in Scotland face on a daily basis.

He said: "Most public transport was not accessible by wheelchair. A small handful of busses had ramps fitted but around 70% of the time bus drivers refused to take me because my wheelchair is electric: total nonsense!"

His previous job had given him experience in catering for the needs of those with physical disabilities, and he says since then major leaps have been made.

"Before my stroke at the age of 32 I was a national engineering manager. At the time in 2003, my main clients was one of the big national supermarkets.

"I was on the design team to prepare my clients nationally located premises to comply with the new Disability Act. I spent much time then looking at things such as accessibility, like toilets, lowered counters etc. I can see the major leaps that have been made."

Andy lives independently with help from a carer, and is on the board of a charity (SPAEN) fighting for a change in attitudes towards disabled people in work.

But he think views towards those with disabilities still need to move forward, and believes people judge him by his physical limits rather than his mental capacity.

"People who don't know me generally act as if I don't exist and talk to my carer. If people didn't know Stephen Hawking, he would just be another invisible man."

Andy has continued to learn and research on disability issues since being "cast to the scrapheap", and has become a qualified bookkeeper. He works as a project manager one day a week, but if he earns over £115.50 he will lose his disability support allowance.

The blame for the problems in the disability care system lies with government cuts, Andy claims, but he says all he wants to do is contribute to society through his expertise.

"My life experience before and after my stroke can never be gained through a university degree. I work as hard as my peers.

"Money isn't a driving factor, being valued and being allowed to achieve my potential means everything to me."