A Dalry man has finally found his voice after being denied the chance to speak by cerebral palsy.
David Ramsey’s condition meant he endured years of silent frustration as a non-verbal communicator.
But now he has a new-found freedom – thanks to specially-tailored computer software and a dedicated support team.
The breakthrough came through a partnership between The IT Centre at Castle Douglas and the council.
Centre manager Jackie Williams said: “David has been coming along to the centre to work with our trainer Allan Smith every two weeks for the last six months.
“Allan has been providing tuition on how to use the software which gives a voice to David. Together they have customised the software – called proloquo2go – to better meet David’s own requirements.
“The software is AAC – alternative and augmentative communication – and David has been making great progress.
“He continues to attend The IT Centre to develop his skills.”
Community learning and development worker Lindsay Callander has also been helping David.
Now he’s finding out what’s going on in his local community – and even how he can become a volunteer.
Jackie said: “David’s mum and auntie got in touch with Lindsay to ask about support for him.
“Lindsay then got in touch with ourselves to see if we could help. Soon she was taking him into the community shop in New Galloway – and he was able to ask for things using his iPad.
“He would not have had the confidence to do that before.”
Jackie added: “David can sign as well and uses that a lot with members of his family.
“But this has definitely deepened his interaction with other people.”
Allan said: “David’s confidence has really increased and his speed in using it is getting better.
“This piece of software is quite complicated but now he’s able to dive into it – and that has been quite an upturn.”
The software is also compatible with other devices – giving David the chance to use his voice in different ways.
“David’s asking about an iPhone now to give him more flexibility,” Allan said.
“The phone would be strapped to his bad arm and and would use his good arm to operate it.
“I think he asking his family if he could have one as a Christmas present.”
Using his new software to speak, David said: “I find it easy to communicate with people.
“I have enjoyed my new iPad. I don’t get frustrated.
“I can take it out with me to communicate with people while I’m shopping.”
The Barfil Charitable Trust donated the funds for the new iPad and software package.
