A GRAPHIC artist who feared his brain injury would spell the end of his career before it had even begun said working as a consultant designer during the Olympic Games has transformed his life.

Byron Konizi, 28, of Blackhorse Road in Walthamstow, fell off his bike as a child and hit his head, but it was only when he was 19 and studying art and design that he was diagnosed with cognitive disabilities, affecting his concentration and short-term memory.

Mr Konizi, who attended Chingford Foundation School in Nevin Drive, the same school at which Apple designer Sir Jonathan Ive was a pupil, said: "It shocked me off my course in life. I have a high IQ so I was always performing quite well [at school] but at the same time I was in trouble, with teachers saying I wasn't trying hard.

"It was a weight off my mind to find out why but it made me think 'What can I do with my life?'"

He thought it would be impossible to become a professional designer but someone put him in touch with David Morris, Boris Johnson's advisor on disability, who took him under his wing.

The freelance consultant said he went on to help design the Olympic mascot as well as a tube map for people with physical and mental disabilities.

Mr Konizi said: "I've been asked for my input on lots of things, like whether it's offensive for the mascots to have one eye, and to help provide routes for disabled people to the Olympic venues.

"The Olympics have given me real hope. It made me realise that with my brain injury I could still be working on huge projects like the Games. It's helped me turn a disadvantage into an advantage."

The designer added that he helped propose ideas for quiet spots in London's parks where autistic people can get away from crowded areas.

He also designed ponchos with countries' flags printed on which can be worn by patriotic wheelchair users.

Mr Konizi said the design was met with acclaim but could not be used due to an exclusive sponsorship deal with Adidas.

He is now hoping to help launch a government organisation to deal with accessibility issues on a nationwide basis.

"We're now talking about the landscape of London at meetings and you say something that affects the overall design, it's incredible," he said.

The Guardian is awaiting comment from Locog, the Olympic organising committee.

Click here to follow the Chingford Guardian on Twitter

Click here to follow the Waltham Forest Guardian on Twitter