May 2008 Edition - agosci

AAC, the arts & sportAAC, the arts & sportIt’s Not Rudeby Melinda SmithIn my workplace, I’ve learntTo step in, contribute to conversationsWithout feeling guiltyFor interrupting someone else –Though sometimes I feel badDeep down – it’s like I’m rudeAnd I need to beIf I want to keep up, toConversations around me.I’m passionate about communication,I love to listenI love to talk…My chances to talkHave never been natural, years of hard workYears of practiceTo make my voice.I’ve gone through the process of beingLeft behind,Judged for being too slow,Too quietToo polite…I’ve gone through enoughTo make me realize,It’s my voice and this is how I talkThis is how I participateI don’t need to wait for a breakTo speak and miss out,I want to engageI want to share small talkI want to be able to contributeMy viewMy opinion,Face to faceIn meetings, and cafesI only need a bit more time,Consideration,Even fairnessFrom my communication partners –To recognize it’s not because I’m rudeI’ve pressed the button,I need to speak too.Being a Leader in a Leader-less Worldby Melinda SmithAs an AAC user, it’s not natural to be a leader,In a world that speaks, there’s a lot to look up to.In a world that doesn’t speak, there’s a lot to learn from.By changing the regularity of ground rules to give someonemore timeMeans opening up the chance for an AAC userTo learn new skills for building confident and Self worth,To experiment what self expression is about.I used to feel intimidatedI used to feel powerlessI used to worry about my hearingI always said sorry to peopleI used to be bothered by slownessI used to get upset when people didn’t understandI used to not make the effort to tell people my thoughtsI used to make excuses for conversationsIn 2005 the leadership course shifted my thinkingEmpowered me to speak for myself,Took me on a different direction in my journeyAs an AAC userIn my workplaceThe leadership course was not just about meIt was about engaging with societyCommunicating with other communicatorsTurning my lifeAroundMaking me a participatorWith my talker.My struggles still exist, but not as personally demandingI know my feelings moreCrying for help when it gets too much,I’m not tough and I don’t let out anger much,But I know my voiceThrough learning to expressWho I am.39