Help to make BSL freely Available to learn for anyone and everyone, not as price charged luxury education. Communication and understanding is a basic human right.

Here's my story...

Imagine, one day after a life time of being able to communicate verbally with everyone and anyone around you, not ever having a thought of the possibility or worry of what would happen if you would lose the ability to communicate by voice, completely, temporarily or permanently. This was me. 

At the age of nearly 31 years old a stress induced brain injury has taken my voice. You're probably thinking 'But that would never be me', 'im never stressed, I'm so chilled' and I assure you... that was exactly me. I have never until now experienced such isolation caused by having my voice taken from me and could have never imagined the struggle in daily life, especially as a mother, that this could cause. Although I'm luckily confident somewhat in British Sign Language which I had learned through my job role, it has proven useless to even those closest to me such as friends and family when they have no understanding of BSL themselves. 

I, as well as those around me could have never pre-empted the importance of learning communication through BSL as it had not yet directly affected them. This has left us frustrated and struggling to help escape from this muted isolation. Imagine only being able to answer with a nod of the head for a yes or no where your mind is racing with answers and Information on the inside bursting to get out.

I appreciate my luck that this is my first experience in having difficulty to communicate. I've only a snap shot of the small social circles available to communicate with when mute or hard of hearing, specific to only those who have knowledge of BSL. As a country we are taught the hearing English language and the importance of communication with a divide of little to no recognition to be able to communicate with those whom have the only ability to communicate through BSL. 

Knowing this could happen to YOU just as It had affected me and more so, many others currently isolated in silence. NOW is the time to begin to unite those of the English spoken Language and British Sign language. Merging opportunities to communicate amongst us all and broadening our communication skills. Schools are encouraged to teach languages from all around the world but have missed the opportunity of importance in learning to include those closest to our home. 

I'm petitioning for it to become mandatory for all schools in all lessons to teach BSL to the best of the teachers ability through demonstrating BSL alongside their voice when speaking. This naturally, in time, will become fluent knowledge to everyone from the continuous practice and learning of British Sign language. By beginning this practice, although it may for some be challenging and slow to learn at first it could provide children over the years and generations to come, the ability to communicate with those that would otherwise be overlooked. 

Let's break down communication barriers and release those whom are trapped in their silence. It's far more common that you could ever think and it could very well directly impact your life. 

Make BSL freely Available to learn for anyone and everyone, not as price charged luxury education. Communication and understanding is a basic human right.