IT and family help Ryan to be heard

IT and family help Ryan to be heard

25 November 2015

RYAN Walsh is someone who doesn’t always get his voice heard. The Downpatrick man has had a learning disability from birth and a severe communication impairment affecting all aspects of his daily life. 

His ability to speak, learn new skills and cope independently have all been affected in what can be a frustrating and isolating condition.

Through the support of his family, and the help of new technology, a happy and sociable Ryan is understood by those who know him best. However, communication isn’t always easy with those outside his everyday circle.

To raise awareness of communication disability a multimedia portraits and stories exhibition called ‘My Journey My Voice’ has been launched at Stormont and Ryan is among those taking part.

The exhibition features nine interactive portraits by local photographer Laurence Gibson.

Visitors to Stormont can view their portraits and listen to their voices as they each recount a memorable journey they have taken. Their stories will resonate with many. They include a once in a lifetime holiday, the first day of a new job and a sunny day at the beach with an ice cream.

For Ryan, with the help of his speech therapist and dad Noel Walsh, the story he tells relates to a trip to Portadown to pick up new pup Ben.

Noel explained that through the use of Makaton sign language, which uses signs and symbols alongside speech, and his high tech Lightwriter communication aid, Ryan (32) is able to successfully engage with others.

Noel added that they were happy to raise a greater awareness of Ryan’s sound world.

“We are trying to get the Makaton sign language more widely known,” he said. “People would not be as overwhelmed then if somebody, for example, went into a shop using it.

“Ryan has had the Lightwriter now for 14 years, it is great. It’s like a typewriter which then vocalises the words.

“If it was 30, 40 years ago there is no way I would be able to communicate as well with him.”

Ryan attended Knockevin Special School in Downpatrick between the ages of five and 18 and now attends a day centre.

Lack of oxygen at birth affected development and made communication particularly difficult in the early years.

“He would get a bit frustrated when he could not speak about what he wanted,” said Noel. “As I am talking now, Ryan understands everything.

“He is very good at that and he’s on Facebook all the time.”

Noel said that Ryan was excited to be taking part in the exhibition as were his family and friends from his day centre.

“They all know Ryan,” he said. “If you give Ryan a voice, he will talk to anybody. He is a very sociable person.”

Noel and his wife Jacinta are Ryan’s main carers and the project has come at a good time for Ryan. Ryan’s brother, Rory, sadly passed away 18 months ago at the age of 29.

“It really hit Ryan,” said Noel.

He added: “I think if they would set aside half-an-hour in schools, to teach Makaton, to teach sign language, it would make a big difference to people like Ryan, helping them mix with other young people.”

My Journey My Voice was commissioned by The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) as part of its Giving Voice campaign and is supported by Disability Action and the Northern Ireland Health and Social Care Board. 

The exhibition was launched by Junior Ministers Emma Pengelly and Jennifer McCann. South Down MLA Sean Rodgers also supported the event.

To read more about Ryan’s contribution to the exhibition visit: http://www.myjourneymyvoice.org/ryan