What it’s like to be non-speaking in

Repeatedly being called the wrong name and dismissed by medical professionals are just some of the things that happen when you are non-speaking and misunderstood in a verbal world.

Maqymseahe Ninces – whose first name is pronounced Mackenzie – was at a specialist appointment when the doctor kept referring to her as Kendrick.

After a while, Ninces corrected the doctor with her name and the doctor responded: ‘‘OK, Kendrick.’’

Ninces’ caregiver sat in on the appointment trying not to laugh, while she became more and more frustrated.

‘‘I felt if the doctor was too busy to listen to me and not willing to respect my identity, the doctor was probably too busy to give me the best medical advice,’’ said Ninces.

During another GP visit, she needed to get a transport exemption that would allow her caregiver to drive her despite being on a restricted driving licence.

The doctor was speaking to the caregiver, but when the caregiver told the doctor to ask Ninces about the requirements for the medical certificate, he replied: ‘‘She wouldn’t know.’’

Ninces had brain damage at birth which caused cerebral palsy. She said it ‘‘significantly impairs’’ her posture, body movement, coordination, swallowing and speech. She uses an augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) device to communicate.

She is also an ambassador for the TalkLink Trust, which is an organisation supporting disabled people to find communication solutions often through AAC.

Last year, TalkLink had 3000 people using its services and 1800 new referrals.

As part of her role as a TalkLink ambassador, Ninces does a lot of advocacy work for AAC users.

‘‘People with complex communication needs have the same needs as anybody else: to be heard when they speak and supported to be able to communicate using their chosen choice of communication,’’ she said.

AAC users come from all sorts