Yesterday, I attended the launch of the APPG report 'Condemned to Silence'. Here is my speech:
"Hello, I am Sarah Ezekiel and I was diagnosed with motor neurone disease
in 2000, at the age of 34. I’m really pleased to join you all at this important
event. Most people with MND don’t live as long as me, and I’m here today,
partly, to give a voice to all those who can’t be here.
I first noticed something was wrong when my speech became slurred and I
had weakness in my limbs. I was pregnant with my second child and my diagnosis
was devastating for my family and me. My marriage collapsed and I was given
custody of our children, which I manage with 24 hour care.
I’m now the secretary of the North West London MND branch and on the
board of a charity called Movement for Hope. I’m also a digital artist. I
wouldn’t be able to do any of my work without the eyegaze technology I’m using
now.
Losing my voice has been the most difficult part of my journey with MND.
I used to be very talkative and I miss easy conversation. I feel that
I've lost part of my identity forever. I also struggled to get funding for
communication aids from day one. I feel very lucky to have the technology that I need now, but had to
wait a long time for funding. Being able to communicate again gave my life back
to me, and makes living with MND much easier.
Having the ability to communicate is a basic human right and I don't
think that there should be a postcode lottery for this essential equipment. I
welcome the All-Party Group report and hope that it will lead to improved
services for people with MND, so that no one will die without a voice. We have
the technology, so why should people with MND suffer?
On diagnosis of MND, because it has
such a poor prognosis, it’s easy to feel as if you have been written off.
Doctors can’t offer much, only a drug called Riluzole, which might extend life
by a few months. With technology like mine, severely disabled people can
contribute and be valuable members of society.
I can email people, shop and bank
online, use social media, read, run my online art shop and express myself
creatively. I can also control my environment, including my TV, front door and
curtains. I can do everything that able bodied people can do online and feel
much more independent. I feel very fortunate and hope that everyone with MND
will have the opportunity to be in my position soon.
Thank you."
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| With MND Campaign Champions |
