Teach Us Too

Well hello there, and welcome to update #141!

This is a personal response to the death of Jonathan Bryan.

I came across Jonathan in 2018 when his book ‘Eye can Write’ was published.

“Can you imagine not being able to speak or communicate? The silence, the loneliness, the pain. But, inside you disappear to magical places, and even meet your best friend there. However, most of the time you remain imprisoned within the isolation. Waiting, longing, hoping. Until someone realises your potential and discovers your key, so your unlocking can begin. Now you are free, flying like a wild bird in the open sky. A voice for the voiceless.”

It is some of the most exquisite prose I’ve ever read, and it had a big impression on me. When Jonathan wrote it, he was only 12.

We started exchanging ideas on X and then went on to online conversations with Jonathan and his mum Chantal. Jonathan was one of the wittiest, cleverest people I’ve ever encountered.

Jonathan made a massive dent in the world.

His charity ‘Teach Us Too’ believes that it is the right of every child to be taught to read and write, whatever their label or diagnosis. Here’s what Jonathan had to say:

‘When I was 12 I wrote a book about my experience of having the label PMLD and what it was like to become literate and be able to communicate using my own words. A world of opportunity was unveiled; it opened up doors for me that would have otherwise remained closed.

‘As a voice for the voiceless I am passionate about campaigning for other people labelled with PMLD to have the opportunity to speak for themselves. But so often they remain unheard. People talk about us and for us, whilst we remain silent.’

For more on Jonathan’s work there are his lovely websites: Eye Can Talk and Teach Us Too and we’re delighted to have his charity’s input ‘The importance of literacy education for all’ on Myatt & Co, free to access.

Going to finish with this. What a star

Until next time

Mary

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