Sean finds a new voice

Sean has always found ways to connect with the world around him. Earlier this year, with his support team and family alongside him, he gained a new way to communicate that has opened up more spontaneous conversations, clearer choices, and more everyday connection.

Sean’s way of connecting

I grew up with my brother Sean. He has always been full of energy, and he has always had a strong desire to connect with the people around him.

Sean is unable to hear or speak and he has limited vision. None of that has ever stopped him from trying to communicate. He would sign at Olympic speed. When someone didn’t understand sign, he would write key words and draw intricate pictures to get his message across. Sean’s drive to interact with the world has always been there.

Over time, Sean’s physical abilities have changed. After life-saving spinal surgery in 2014, he lost his mobility. More recently, he also lost the strength in his one remaining hand that he used for signing.

What stayed the same was Sean’s determination to be understood and to be part of his community. So the focus became clear: we needed to find a new way for Sean to communicate spontaneously, in the moment, with the people around him.

A team effort, built around Sean

This kind of change doesn’t happen because of one person. It takes a team, shared patience, and a lot of listening.

The staff in Sean’s home, along with the Assistive Communication team and Speech and Language Therapy team, worked collaboratively with Sean and me to build something that fit him. Together, we created a bespoke set of icons and key words that would form the basis of his Think SmartBox screens.

It was a long journey. Like so many things, the pandemic made progress harder at times, with delays and obstacles along the way. But the outcome has been truly worth it.

At EveryStory, we talk about being family-like and relatable in how we show up, and this is exactly what that looks like in practice: people working alongside someone, taking time, staying steady, and building something around the person rather than forcing the person to fit the tool.

What is a Think SmartBox?

Sean now uses a Think SmartBox communication device. In simple terms, it’s a tablet designed to help someone communicate through icons and text that can be turned into speech.

Sean uses a scanning option. That means the device moves through choices on the screen, and when the right one appears, Sean activates a switch. The device then speaks the selected word or phrase out loud.

At first, Sean was able to click with a button using his hand. As his dexterity changed, his team adapted the setup again, and he now uses a switch positioned at head height.

Sean is still getting used to the technology, but what matters most is what it gives him: a way to express himself clearly, in the moment, with the people around him.

The moment Sean’s voice was heard

Sean’s face lit up like a firework the first time he realised what was happening. People around him, including those who couldn’t sign, could instantly hear what he was choosing on the screen.

From my perspective, it was incredibly moving to hear, for the very first time, a “voice” attached to what Sean was selecting.

Sean’s excitement was immediate and very Sean. He accidentally selected the same icon a few times in a row, and the device clearly repeated that he wanted a McDonald’s cheeseburger for lunch.

From that point on, there was no doubt what this meant. Sean had a voice that could be heard by everyone around him, whenever he wanted.

What this opens up

This isn’t just about a piece of technology. It’s about connection, independence, and dignity.

When someone has more ways to communicate, they have more ways to take part. They can express preferences, share opinions, join conversations, ask for what they need, and be understood by a wider circle of people.

At EveryStory, we believe people should be recognised for who they are, and supported to live lives shaped by their own personality, interests and choices. Supporting communication is a vital part of that.

A note for other families and support teams

I wrote this in collaboration with Sean because we hope it encourages others to explore what’s possible.

Someone may not need a device like this today, but knowing what’s available can help you plan for the future. It can also open up conversations earlier, so support is in place when it’s needed.

If you support someone who is finding communication harder, or you’re noticing changes over time, it may be worth asking: what tools could help them express themselves more easily, and stay connected to the people around them?

From EveryStory

Sean’s story is a powerful example of what becomes possible when support is shaped around the person, when people keep listening, and when the focus stays on helping someone share what they want and take part in the world around them.

At EveryStory, our purpose is simple: providing a place where who you are matters most. Communication support plays a big part in that, because being heard helps people make choices, build relationships, and shape a life that feels like their own.