Here is Louise’s story in her own words: “I was a radio presenter, I was an academic, I was an audio describer. I was non-disabled. I was 50.
I was giving a talk at a conference. Someone asked, “Do they audio describe opera?” I said “Yes.” They said “Why?”
I was speechless.
Fuming, I tried to formulate an answer, my tongue was too heavy to move. I mumbled something and sat down. I put my arm on a desk. It fell off under its own weight. I felt like I was underwater. I was having a stroke. I was not frightened. I was curious. I was thinking “So, this is what it’s like.” I was thinking, “Why now?” I was thinking, “Please, not now.” I was thinking “Someone call an ambulance, and quickly.”
In the hospital they said, “How are you today?” I said, “Not great. I’m having a stroke.” They said, can you climb onto the bed of this scanner?” I said, “No, I’m…”
At least, that’s what I think I said. Much later, I learned that I was just making noises.
Things happened of which I have no memory. Clothes were cut off. Tubes attached. My family was called. My husband and my daughter came. I’ll be all right now, I thought. I was wrong. I slipped seamlessly from one group to another. From non-disabled to disabled.
Two weeks in hospital then 8 weeks in a rehabilitation unit. I learned to talk again, I learned to mobilise rather than walk. I practiced symmetrical snarling. Some lessons were too hard. I spent an afternoon trying to unclench the fingers of my left hand. Nine years on I still haven’t mastered it.
I have mastered single-handed typing. I have written a couple of books and countless papers about AD. I have trained audio describers and given talks and presentations all over the world.
People say – you do so much despite being disabled (although not using those actual words).
I think, I do so much because I am disabled. Losing my job on the radio has given me time to do other things. Becoming disabled has brought opportunities to work with a greater diversity of people. I’d like to think becoming disabled has enabled me to appreciate the huge amount of talent overlooked because the person blessed with it is labelled disabled.
I am still an academic, I am still an audio describer. I am disabled. I am 60. “
Watercolour on watercolour paper (22.9 x 30.5 cm) Unframed
Price £454 ($565US) plus package and postage
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ID: Painting of beautiful, middle aged, white woman with short, mid brown hair and a long fringe swept to one side She is wearing an orange/yellow silk scarf, over a pink silk shirt, she has a relaxed smile. In the background are bright colours merging together, blue, pink, purple, orange and yellow,. Down the right hand side of the page are musical notes painted in a slightly darker hue in the background colours.
