RADIO 4 APPEAL

by Sir Derek Jacobi

Broadcast on 9 February 2003


Imagine, for a moment, what it would be like not being able to hold a conversation with a friend, or not being able to understand what somebody is saying to you. Imagine the frustration and isolation you would feel.

I am appealing to you today on behalf of over one million children and young people across the UK who have a speech and language impairment. That's right, over one million children and young people who find it hard to communicate or understand language; at least one in every school class.

They are as bright and clever as other children but the problems they have communicating leave them isolated and frustrated. Without specialist help they may never make a friend, succeed at school, find a job, or have a family of their own.

The charity Afasic works with the families of these children to get the specialist help they need so that they can overcome this hidden disability and achieve their potential. It does this through its telephone helpline service, publications and information leaflets, and a network of field officers and parent support groups across the UK.

Afasic helps children like Sam. Sam is a bright and lively 6 year old, but he couldn't make friends and the children at school wouldn't play with him because they couldn't understand what he said. Then his mum heard about Afasic and with their help she got the specialist speech and language therapy Sam needed.

He has been working with the therapist once a week to improve his speech problems and develop his social skills. Sam's speech is getting better now; he has more confidence and has made some new friends. For families like Sam's, Afasic is the only place they can turn to find real understanding and practical help.

Afasic responds to thousands of requests for help every year, but there are still many more thousands of children who are not receiving help and whose parents have not even heard of Afasic.

Afasic needs your support.

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