Talented deafblind writers and their families have been recognised and applauded by Harry Potter movie star Miriam Margolyes in Sense’s creative writing competition EXPRESS YOURSELF!
The goal of the competition is to give deafblind people and their families a voice and to showcase their talents to a wider audience.
The awards were presented by Miriam Margolyes in a moving ceremony at the Geffrye Museum, London on 18 March – with readings from all of the shortlisted writers. Here are the winners:
Best piece of writing by a deafblind child
Jack Hodgson
"Being Deafblind is not a disability
It’s an adventure
The unused path
Among so many
And only the best may take it
Being Deafblind is not a disability
It’s a rollercoaster
The windy ups and downs
Anger to get off
We do not like it, but we live it"
Best piece of writing by a deafblind adult
Nicole Dryburgh
"There are rules to reading this book
Do not give me pity – I don’t need it.
Do not feel sorry for me – because I’m not sorry.
Do not give me sympathy – I don’t want it.
Do not think poor girl – because I’m not.
Do not cry while reading this book – you’ll make the pages wet.
Stick to these rules and we will get along great!"
Best piece of writing by a family member of carer
Carly Kelbrick
"spring time
the birds are singing in the trees,
the buds and flowers are seen.
its springtime and the sun is out and everything is green.
its wonderful to feel the breeze,
smell the fragrance too!,
and see the trees so full of leaves and know the sky is blue."
Best piece by any writer on the subject of deafblindness
Sarah Hilary
"It’s the smell of timber which draws Jake to the yard, that and the drumming in the soles of his feet when he passes the turning for the dry dock. They’re
building in the yard, working with hammers; the earth shakes in the same spot every time. He feels the breeze beating on sailcloth, the fast flicking of flags and, when the men are cutting wood, the froth and fizz of the saw."
Read the excerpts (pdf, 97kb) from all the shortlisted writers.
View more photos on our flickr gallery.
