3rd Dec International Day of Persons with Disabilities
‘Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing Social Progress’
Blog by Rebecca
Hi, my name is Rebecca and teaching Lámh is my passion. I started to learn Lámh when I was 3 years old. Lámh is a sign language used by people with disabilities. It helps my friends to communicate their wants and needs. As I got older and better at it, I decided I wanted to teach it. I practice it all the time to make sure I am up to date with new words.
My Keyworker and my family are a great support. I teach my classes at the Midleton Community Hub and in Carrig with the help of the staff. The staff in the Hub have helped me to teach outside of Horizons also. I have done classes in St. Mary’s School Midleton, Gaelscoil De Heide in Fermoy and with some of the local businesses in my community.
It feels good to give people with disabilities a voice. So many of us struggle to be listened to and I like to help people to have their say.
I was so lucky to be asked to join The Advocacy Working Group in Horizons. The group is made up of staff and people supported by Horizons. We meet to discuss the things that matter to us, any issues that are happening and changes that need to be made and we work to make them happen. It is extra special because I am their Lámh expert. It gives me a better chance to help people to have a voice and to really make a difference in people’s lives.
I love helping people and I love to teach what I have learned to my friends and others. I have so much fun doing it. I love to see my friends at the Hub and do activities like the gym and Zumba. I love my Lámh classes too.
I teach people words that they would use every day. I teach them their names and for fun we learn songs in Lámh. The Greatest Showman “This is me” is my favourite song to teach. I think teaching people how to spell their name is really important and helps them to feel seen. These are also my favorite signs to teach!
Learning Lámh gives people a voice and some confidence to talk to people. It makes people aware of the difficulties that we face and what they can do to help us overcome them.
My goal is to teach as many people as possible! I think everyone deserves to have a voice and I want to help them have theirs.
I hope in the future that people with disabilities will be included in everything, for their voices to matter. I want to be a part of that!
‘Rebecca is an amazing advocate for her peers and for all individuals who face difficulties in their every day lives. She is showing the greater community that everyone has a voice. No matter what the obstacle, Rebecca strives to include everyone she can in her teachings and she works so hard at improving her own skills to ensure she delivers the very best. Rebecca is breaking down barriers each and every day and we couldn’t be prouder of her.’
– Keyworker