Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness launched the anniversary exhibition of My Journey My Voice at the Millennium Forum, Derry-Londonderry on 5 October and spoke passionately about the need to support individuals living with a communication disability. The Minister spent time meeting several of our participants who attended the event - Ryan, Molly, Clodagh, Christine and Neill - and warmly supported them as they spoke about their experiences of living with a communication disability.
Deputy First Minister recounts his own experiences with family and friends who have experienced communication difficulties in his opening speech at the Millennium Forum.
Molly chats to Martin McGuinness about her experience of taking part in My Journey My Voice.
The Deputy First Minister was joined at our anniversary event by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock, and local MLA Gary Middleton. We were also delighted that our partners Kevin Doherty, CEO, Disability Action and representatives from the Health and Social Care Board were also able to join us to mark a fantastic first year for My Journey My Voice.
Guests were able to experience the full exhibition and hear moving speeches by Clodagh Dunlop, Neill Birnie and Christine Birney about the ways in which their communication disabilities have impacted their lives. In his closing remarks the Deputy First Minister said:
“I congratulate the people involved and the organisers of this exhibition who are celebrating one year on the road by coming to the Millennium Forum in Derry. Having walked around the innovative and moving exhibition you can’t help but be gripped by the personal stories and journeys all the participants have been on. By raising awareness, ‘My Journey My Voice’ ensures people with a communication disability have a very personal and powerful way of raising awareness of the nature and impact of communication disabilities.”
My Journey My Voice can be viewed by the public at the Millennium Forum until 27 October 2016.