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Hi to everyone. My name is Beth!

Living life to the full, celebrating cerebral palsy, speech and hearing impairments and using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC)

This website was originally created in 2008, when I was 14. The aim was to share my personal views, experiences and opinions with specific spotlight areas relating to my lived experience of cerebral palsy (CP), dysarthria which creates speech and eating challenges, and my hearing impairment.

My journey to this point in life has made me what I am today. My focus is on my lived experiences with a spotlight on 3 broad areas: communication, well-being and life skills, with a specific section for sharing practical resources and details of events I think you might like to know about.

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Useful Links

Role Models

Role models come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. It would be impossible to mention the many who have influenced my AAC journey.

Toby Hewson became a friend and role model nearly 20 years ago, he runs disability awareness-raising events https://justdifferent.org/

Mel Smith has been a firm friend for over 15 years. She is amazingly creative and a mentor who lives in Australia https://melindasmithcreative.com/?fbclid=IwAR0PkYTf9QoCe0wlBi–WVlXOby7SavCBbUE-46BGXWwV76zEepBrgj9jmo

I met Martin Pistorious (and his now wife Johanna) in 2008. Martin is a father, writer, freelance web designer, wheelchair racer, and a best selling author https://www.martinpistorius.com

Another long-term role model is Meredith Allan. Another amazing Australian woman who I first met in Dusseldorf when I was 12. I was blown away listening to her talk about identity as an AAC user and she inspired me to start to learn to drive when I was 18. After retiring from full-time work she continues to lead the way as past President of ISAAC, Masters student, and a dear friend.

Annalu Waller is Professor and Chair of Computing Science working on AAC systems at Dundee University. We first met in 2006 and our friendship as sustained time. Her hard work, pragmatic approach and determination to facilitate those people who use AAC continues to inspire me https://aac.computing.dundee.ac.uk/people

Last but certainly not least Caroline Baird (nee Innes) the Scottish Paralympic sprinter who has inspired my sporting journey every day since I was 6. I watched her run and win medals in Sydney in 2000, and then be interviewed by the press. After writing to Caroline care of the postman in her home town she replied and the rest is history, friends for life.

Organisations

1 Voice Communicating Together run activities and workshops for children and young people who use AAC, along with their families. There are always role models at their events http://www.1voice.info/

Communication Matters is the UK branch of ISAAC (see below) and run conferences, study days and roadshows about AAC http://www.communicationmatters.org.uk

ISAAC is the International Society for Alternative and Augmentative Communication and run a biennial international conference https://isaac-online.org/english/home/

(UKBF) the Governing body for Boccia in the UK UK Boccia Federation

Boccia England the national governing body for Boccia in England Boccia England