Every year during the month of October, ISAAC engages people around the world to shine a light on the stories of people who use AAC. The 2018 theme of AAC Awareness Month is “Dare to Lead” and in that spirit we’ve reached out to Beth Moulam (UK) to find out her perspective on “What leadership means to me.”

For Beth, participation in sports is an exciting a way to advance her skills in leadership and team building. Beth, who has used AAC all her life to communicate, tells us her AAC story:

“Other people may identify me as an AAC user. It’s pretty hard not to when the first thing you see on meeting me is my power chair and Lightwriter. The world of AAC is important to me, it’s where I feel accepted for who I am. It’s where I can speak up, and out, and people wait to hear what I have to say. But AAC does not define me.

“I work hard at University studying social policy. I have come to realize I can achieve academically. It might take me longer but lots of students experience bumps in the road, I’m on track to realizing one of my dreams.

“Sport has changed my life. I am stronger, fitter and healthier. I am happier too, if someone could have told me before how much happier I would’ve been, I would have laughed at the thought of it. But I have to say that it’s true, I am all these things.

“Thanks for all the people in my life who have supported me in my journey, and continue to do so, let’s go onward and upwards. Here’s to the next few years!”

Beth co-presented a Pre-Conference Workshop at ISAAC Conference 2018 called Daring to Dream: Turning Your Dreams into Future Realities. In this video, Beth gives us a glimpse into the side of her character she tapped into in preparing for the workshop. She speaks of her dreams and how she has made them a reality, and the friends she’s made along the way.

Beth has many other insights, stories, and inspiring journeys documented on her website if you’re interested in reading more from this Leader.

To our blog readers: What is your AAC Story? We’d love to hear from you about the ways we all continue to come together as a community, not just this month, but all through the year.