Everyone Has a Voice
Have you ever lost your voice for a day or more? How frustrated were you that you couldn’t voice your thoughts, tell people how you felt, or asked someone a simple question? I know for me losing my voice is a big deal. I can’t wait till I get a little bit of it back, even if it’s just a squeak. Finally, it’s back! I can talk again!
Unfortunately, many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities don’t have a voice. They will never get to experience what you and I do after losing our voice…that squeak. Imagine going through life not being able to communicate anything with anyone. Let’s put ourselves in their shoes. If we feel frustrated, imagine how they must feel? They will never be able to tell someone how they feel, if something hurts, ask a question, or tell a story or a joke.
As I turned on the TV one night, the show “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” was on. Typically, I would have changed the channel but the next act was coming on and it caught my attention. The act was called “Lost Voice Guy”. “Lost Voice Guy”, also known as Lee Ridley, is a British comedian who at the age of six months was diagnosed with a neurological form of Cerebral Palsy. This form of CP affected his movement and left him unable to speak. This disability made it difficult for him to communicate, until he was 8 years old. At the age of 8 he received his first communication device. By using a communication device he was able to complete his education, as well as go on to receive an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree. In 2012, Lee Ridley, began his career as a comedian doing standup performances. To put his acts together he uses an iPad voice synthesizer app called Speak It! This app allows him to pre-program sentences with the material he’s created, and also gives him the ability to improvise while he is onstage using the synthesizer. Using this synthesizer app, “Lost Voice Guy” appeared on “Britain’s Got Talent” in 2018 and won the show.
“Lost Voice Guy” is able to let the world hear his voice through his communication device. We as caretakers and supporters of those with IDD need to find ways to help the people we support find their voice. Maybe it’s through a communication device? Maybe it’s through sign language? Maybe it’s through some kind of music therapy or other therapy? Whatever the way, let’s make it our goal – because everyone has a voice!
