When I received the invitation to Bishop Viv’s enthronement, I was surprised and honoured she wanted me there. So I went along assuming I was filling the last few places at the back. Instead, on arrival at the Cathedral we were escorted further and further down the building until we reached the second row… and no it wasn’t a mistake:

What a demonstration of God’s topsy-turvy kingdom values that two non-verbal people are sat alongside local dignitaries and in the row in front of Bishops’ wives; that scattered throughout the service are the voices of children reading parts of the liturgy; that one of the songs had the refrain ‘all are welcome’.

So as Bishop Viv starts her ministry among us we pray for her and look forward to building a church where all are accepted, all are accepted and all are welcome.

[photo ©Barbara Evripidou/FirstAvenuePhotography.com]

Yesterday, I was honoured to open the Christian Resources Exhibition, speaking alongside Sally Phillips expounding the churches for all message that true inclusion goes beyond accessibility to valuing everyone’s contribution to the body of Christ.

While I was at the exhibition I was able to meet lots of interesting people, sign my books with my stamp and be interviewed for local radio.

Here is a copy of my speech:

Throughout my life I have known Jesus with me, cradling me in pain, sheltering me from darkness and beckoning me forward. In my autobiography, Eye Can Write, I took the opportunity to tell of my faith in Jesus and my brief visit to Jesus’ garden, but not so much of the part church plays in my life.  With a secular publisher every mention of Jesus was argued, justified and fought over. But a personal faith is nurtured, fed and supported by the church; Christ uses His church as His expression of God’s kingdom on earth.

Therefore, it is wonderful that this year’s CRE has a focus on churches for all, because Jesus is for all. Jesus chooses the weak over the strong, chooses the poor over the rich, chooses the humble over the proud. God’s heart is for those on the margins of society, and his church needs to reflect this. Of course part of this is addressed in making our buildings accessible – wheelchair ramps so we can get in, hearing loops so we can hear, accessible content so we can follow the service. But true inclusion goes deeper than accessibility, true inclusion enables us to contribute as well as receive, true inclusion values us as part of the body of Christ.  And we each have a part to play in making God’s kingdom a reality here on earth.

Out of a desire for everyone to contribute, everyone’s voice to be heard I have started my charity Teach Us Too.  If everyone is going to be able to contribute, then it is important that everyone is given the same opportunities for a literacy education.  Did you know that non-verbal children like me are usually not taught to read and write in special school?  Teach Us Too aims to change this through challenging attitudes and assumptions based on labels, influencing educational practice, encouraging ambition and sharing expertise.  My proceeds from my book, Eye Can Write are going to Teach Us Too.  When non–verbal children are taught to read and write it unlocks their voice, enabling them to say exactly what they want to.  We stop being seen as mere recipients and start being valued as members of society.

Jesus gives us life in all its fullness.  As churches we have the chance to model a society where all are accepted, all are valued, all are enabled to contribute.

Communication is something most of you probably take for granted. So this month I have a challenge for you: can you choose an hour of family time to communicate in any way except spoken speech? If you want to make it a bit trickier, can you do this without using pen and paper?

For me, and hundreds like me, this is my reality.  This is AAC – Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

If you try my challenge in public, I can guarantee that people will view you differently.  If you are a child most people will assume you only have the understanding of a toddler, if you are an adult I expect most people avoid talking to you at all.

This month I am continuing to try to break down the assumptions that yoke non-verbal children.  Yesterday, I spoke to 300 trainee teachers at the University of the West of England, co-presenting with Sarah for Teach Us Too.  My prayer is that my book and Teach Us Too will make a difference so that all children are taught to read and write regardless of their label.

As you will have discovered if you did my challenge, literacy is the key to being able to say exactly what you want.  For non-verbal children literacy is the key to unlocking our voice.

In the comments below let me know how you got on with my challenge.

Yesterday, my sisters and I had the privilege of seeing our names in a book – and no, I haven’t written another book already!  Back in April this year Sir Michael Morpurgo wrote and asked if he could dedicate his book, Grandpa Christmas to the three of us – if that was ok with us.  Of all the questions I have been asked, this was the easiest to answer.  The unbridled joy as my sisters and I danced to the equal honour; not just for me with them tagging along, but all of us on the page sharing the moment together.

Today, my literary hero turns the grand age of 75.  I haven’t got a book to offer him, so instead I have written him this poem as a token of my love and admiration for my friend, who has taught me so much.

Happy birthday Sir Michael!

Sir Michael – the Master Storyteller

Painting with words on the canvas of my mind,

Scenes from your dreams become my visions alive,

Landscapes explored, travelling historical times,

Tales of animals’ gentle spirits released,

Horrors of war from the champion of peace,

My master of stories your friendship bequeathed.