Giving Voice

Thursday 12 April 2012

How would you feel?

Where is the year going? I can’t believe we are well into April already. It isn’t long until the local elections on May 3rd – check out RCSLT website to see if your local council is holding elections. Many councillors do not know about the role of Speech and Language Therapists, and this is a great opportunity to raise their awareness. There are some new resources which will help you to engage your local councillors (here) – and they see at least fifty members and supporters sharing a story about how you started a conversation with a candidate about speech and language therapy!

I wrote this poem last year and uploaded onto youtube as a video. I just realised recently that I didn’t share it in writing on here so I thought I would post it now.
How would you feel?

How would you feel if you couldn’t talk and express your thoughts each day?
How would you feel if no one would listen to the things you have to say?
What would you do if you couldn’t speak to the people who love you?
What would you do if you couldn’t express all the things you knew?
How would you feel if you struggled to get your message out?
How would you feel if you couldn’t understand what people talk about?
What would you do if you couldn’t swallow the foods you like to eat?
What would you do if you couldn’t say hi to people that you meet?

Not everyone can communicate as easy as 1,2,3,
Some people need the support of speech and language therapy,
SLT’s are there to help, to listen and understand,
To help assess the problem and to give a helping hand,
From newborns through to elderly - people of all ages,
You never know what’s yet to come as you turn life’s pages.
One day you may need the support of a speech and language therapist,
A referral can be made, and you’ll be placed upon the list,
To get support with language, swallowing or speech,
To help you to achieve things which were previously out of reach,

Giving Voice highlights the importance of SLT’s and the work we do,
Please join the campaign and Give Voice too!
I used to write a lot of poetry and used it as a way to express myself. I’ve been reading a great poetry blog recently and thought you might like to take a look here. I think poetry (and indeed any form of writing) is a wonderful form of communication that makes up a huge part of my daily life (I write in a journal most days).  Amy’s poems are not related to speech and language therapy but they are brilliant and I think poetry is a great way to express one’s voice.
Don’t forget to write to your local councillors ahead of the elections on May 3rd! Check here  to see if your council are having elections.
Speech and Language Therapy Transforms Lives – keep spreading the word!