Profile of Success - Louise Elizabeth Jones
Hello
everyone,
My name is Louise Elizabeth Jones. I have cerebral palsy. I live in a village called Roos, in East Yorkshire (United Kingdom).
I am 10 and I attend Keyingham Junior School. It's a mainstream school and I am in year five. I live with my mum (Ann), dad (Richard), sister Emma (15), my brother Liam(18) who is in the R.A.F. He messes about with weapons. Bit dangerous if you ask me! I have two dogs Meg and Sam; two rats (in a cage, of course); a rabbit called Pom; two goldfish; and a pony called Prince. I go to riding lessons but I mostly just enjoy riding Prince. I like to groom him, but I'm not too keen on the mucking out [stable cleaning] bit! Yuck!
I enjoy going to the pub, going to watch Grimsby Town with my dad, and being with my friends. My best friends are Emma and Sophie. I think Sophie is to get a communication aid soon. That will be good. We can have some great chats -probably get into trouble, too! I like to read Jacqueline Wilson books. My speech therapist told me about the worry website. There's a story about Natasha. She uses a communication aid and is in a wheelchair just like me. Well done Jacqueline Wilson [writer of children's books], it's a great story.
Having cerebral palsy means that I don't walk and I don't talk (That is, with my mouth. I still have plenty to say!). I can do this by using my Pathfinder. I did use a DeltaTalker, but with help from the CAP Research Program, I have been able to get my new Pathfinder. It's been a good swap. I haven't had a lot of new things to learn because I still use Minspeak®, and anyway, I really like the other things - the Activity Row, the Notebook, and I really like being able to store things myself!
Everyone says how much the Pathfinder helps me communicate, I feel more confident, and join in lessons much more than I did before. I am quite good at learning things myself, but I get lots of help from other people, like Mum, my support assistant, and my speech therapist, who is great with communication aids. I am very lucky to get this help. With it, I'm learning to get the best from my Pathfinder.
Before I had a communication aid, I had to rely on other people understanding me. This meant I didn't go far on my own. I felt a bit scared, but not now I can do and say what I like. I feel good about myself. I'm seen as really clever by other people, I'm good at something even my friends can't do!
My Pathfinder is really important to me. I didn't like using a communication aid at first, but I do now. It's good that I can show people that you do think like everyone else and have as much to say. Even if I do it in a different way.
By Louise Jones
(Louise prepared this herself; this is what she chose to say. Her family is exceptionally proud of what she has achieved. She is an inspiration to all who meet her. She will reach her goals through her own determination, her fantastic character and remarkable sense of humour!)