CP Woman Wants to Be Heard

A woman with cerebral palsy has been denied the right to speak for nearly six months because nobody will pay to replace her speech machine.

Tanya Backhouse, 31, from London, is desperate for a new speech machine because her current one is broken. Her cerebral palsy affects her muscle and body movement, but with a speech machine she is able to communicate normally. However, now Ms. Backhouse must communicate with eye movements--which is making her feel quite isolated and lonely.

Ms. Backhouse's support worker, Debbie Barr, has fought since last year for the new computer, but no agency will take responsibility for buying it.

Mrs Barr, who has known Ms Backhouse since she was 12 said: "It's completely inhumane to leave somebody with no means of communication. She has no muscle control, all she can do is say yes or no by moving her eyes up or down. She feels vulnerable and it's lonely when she can't talk with anyone. There seems to be a real void in who is responsible for paying for the new machine. When we tell people about her situation, they are amazed that this can happen in England"

Last Saturday, a group of eight people walked the seven bridges of London to raise awareness of Ms Backhouse's situation and they have also made a petition to send to Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

For more information, contact Debbie Barr at debrabrr@aol.com.

Did you know that cerebral palsy can be the result of medical malpractice? If you suspect your child's cerebral palsy may be the result of medical error, contact a cerebral palsy attorney by calling 1 800 ATTORNEY today.