Simon

My name is Simon Stevens, I am currently 36 and I have cerebral palsy. I live in Coventry and I am self employed as an experienced independent disability consultant and trainer. My work includes talking to social workers and social work students about my experience of employing personal assistants and how to work with ‘service users’.

I have a speech impairment and I can be mostly understood although my personal assistants help translate what I am saying. I had realised my speech is getting more difficult when I was on my own and last year my local health service supplied me with a Lightwriter^® SL40.

This has been very useful when I am training my new personal assistants. I have live in Community Service Volunteers who come from Germany and other countries, understanding English when they start is difficult enough without my speech difficulty!

I also love going on holiday on my own and I find my Lightwriter^® extremely helpful in making this easier. Last year I went to Benidorm and used my Lightwriter^® to argue with the local government officers over my right to use their swimming pool on my own! It was great to say long and complex words I would not normally try to say as no one would understand me.

This month I am going to Lanzarote and I know that my Lightwriter^® is going to make it a lot easier. I especially like how it predicts my words and save phrases. I also adore the fact it sends and receive texts, which makes me feel safer when I travel alone.

I know my Lightwriter^® will be useful in other situations when communication is important like going to hospital or dealing with the police. I can finally ensure I can demonstrate my intelligence and sense of humour wherever I am!

To visit Simon's website, click here.   

Read Simon's excellent talk at our Open Day, click here.