This is the story of a young woman with cerebral palsy who is unable to speak, and so cannot communicate what she is thinking and feeling to the very people who might help her. She feels isolated and unhappy.

 

Similarly, her supporters and carers are frustrated in their attempts to understand or recognise her needs.

 

Michelle Finds a Voice illustrates what happens to Michelle and how she and her carers are helped to overcome these difficulties. Various solutions are explored, including the use of signing, symbol charts and electronic communication. Many people will be able to identify with Michelle. Her story is told through pictures alone to allow each reader to make his or her own interpretation. There is written text at the end of the book which provides one possible narrative for the pictures.

 

Both authors work with people who have cerebral palsy. Sheila Hollins is Professor of Psychiatry of Learning Disability at St George's Hospital Medical School, University of London; Sarah Barnett is Research Speech and Language Therapist at Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, University of London, and Chair of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Specific Interest Group in Cerebral Palsy. The artist works at St George's Hospital Medical School.

 

This book is a joint publication between the Royal College of Psychiatrists and St George's Hospital Medical School