See My Ability: Just because you can't speak doesn't mean that you have nothing to say
Kelsey Ferrill | CBC News | Posted: November 13, 2019 1:00 PM | Last Updated: November 19, 2019
Lucas Durfey shares his story about what it is like to be non-verbal when you have so much to say
CBC Calgary is featuring different Calgarians to showcase the diversity that lies within our city. The campaign is called See My Ability and aims to create awareness and bring disability to the forefront where it usually isn't. You can also follow along on our Instagram and with the hashtag #seemyabilityyyc.
These are the lives of real people with real, compelling stories to tell. We hope these stories shine light on the diverse faces that make up Calgary and highlight that there is lots to be learned. Read the first story in the series below.
Thank you to everyone who shared their story. Your story matters.
We went to visit Lucas at his home in south Calgary. Lucas is non-verbal as a result of a misdiagnosis and using a communication app on his phone, he told us his story.
Lucas, 25
Hometown: Cardston, Alta.
I was involved in a car accident in 2016 and as a result of a misdiagnosis - not the accident itself - I suffered a non-traumatic brain injury and have been non-verbal since.
Although I have physical impairments, communication is definitely my biggest obstacle day-to-day.
For me, I can communicate quite well if you know how I work.
A lot of people assume that because of my physical disabilities I have a cognitive deficiency and can't live on my own. Because of my disabilities, people initially think it's impossible. It's far from ideal but it's definitely doable and for me independence is crucial for my mental health.
I live on my own with the aid of a few public services, but communication remains my biggest obstacle and keeps me from being able to enjoy many of the activities I would like to be involved in.
No matter how 'different' or 'special' someone may be, everyone just wants to be involved and feel like their opinion is taken into consideration.- Lucas Durfey
I think people first notice my physical impairments and I think that's quite common for the general public but I wish my personality was easier to display.
I really admire the British neurologist Oliver Sacks. Along with being a neurologist he was also a naturalist, historian of science, and a writer. A lot of his writing has really resonated with me after sustaining my particular injuries.
Communicating in the general public is definitely the biggest obstacle as noisy and busy areas make it even harder than normal. If people take the time to understand me it makes it much easier for both of us.
I like visiting the Foothills hospital because I have spent a lot of time there as a patient and on the whole, people are educated about people with different communication strategies.
One thing that really improves my quality of life here is a place called Synaptic. They don't focus on communication like my speech therapists but they are an amazing community of people that help a ton of different people with a huge variety of injuries. I come for physio and it's unreal how excited I can be just to come exercise!
They are a huge contributor to me being able to stay healthy both mentally and physically.
With my particular injuries, there are services I need that are not provided in other cities and if they are provided they are not nearly as accessible or financially viable to people facing similar obstacles.
I think my biggest accomplishment has been regaining some independence following my injury. I was a fourth year electrician and also had my own business as a farrier.
I love expressing myself, it's just a little difficult for me to do in the general public. I have made great progress, but still don't have a voice. In spite of my physical disabilities, communication is by far my biggest hurdle.
No matter how "different" or "special" someone may be, everyone just wants to be involved and feel like their opinion is taken into consideration. For people who don't have a great communication strategy, just because they can't speak or equivalent, it doesn't mean they have nothing to say.
See My Ability is a campaign that champions diversity and inclusion. Do you have a story about what it is like to live with a disability in Calgary? Please email kelsey.ferrill@cbc.ca to share your story.