Marsie’s medal for making a difference
Some 26 years ago a mum thought it would be great to learn sign language - because a profoundly deaf mum came to her mother and toddler group in Troon.
The baby was the same age as Marsie Stuart’s daughter Emma - and Marsie managed to break down that barrier.
Marsie, 64, has since become a cheerleader for communication with those who cannot hear.
Where else would she receive her British Empire Medal than St Meddan’s Church Hall where she got her inspiration from that toddler group.
Family and friends gathered on Friday night for the presentation of her BEM for her services to British Sign Language ( BSL) education.
The mum- of- four and grandmother is the founder of Sign and Be Heard where she offers many voluntary hours throughout the year in order to raise the importance of deafness.
She managed to bring up her family after the sudden death of her husband Gavin when Emma was just four.
Marsie was one of the few Ayrshire people mentioned by Her Majesty in the New Year Honours List.
The widow learned to sign by attending night classes at Prestwick Academy back in 1994.
She then went on to teach at Kilmarnock College for 12 years and James Watt College in Kilwinning for a further eight years, before forming Sign and Be Heard in 2009.
And Marsie said: “If you have a deaf child you come to me because you don’t pay anything - I can’t take money for anybody who’s got a deaf child.
“I don’t feel they should have to pay to learn to communicate with their child.”
She has taught more than 60 parents to level 2 free of charge.
Her commitment to promoting the benefits of BSL led her to the honour of the Royal medal.
Receiving the news of her BEM, Marsie said her late husband Gavin would have been “over the moon” with her achievement.
She said: “He would’ve been very proud of everything I’ve done.
“I’m very honoured to say the least and privileged.
“I just feel it’s making a difference to the communities - I didn’t expect such a claim to be honest.”