Man With CP Fundraises For AAC Technology After ITV News Report

Kind-hearted viewers of ITV Granada Reports have helped raise enough funds for a life-changing piece of technology that will allow a Liverpool fan with cerebral palsy to communicate like never before.

Ryan Edwards, from Wallasey, has required round the clock care and a breathing machine his entire life, but his family say that’s never stopped the “bright and funny” 32-year-old from being the happy person he is.

His younger sister, Samantha Edwards, said: “He’s got the most gorgeous smile. People say they wish they could just bottle up his laugh and it could be given out to everyone. He’s got such an aura about him that everyone deserves to see.”

Ryan is non-verbal and his family rely on visual cues to understand what he needs, but that all changed when he took part in a trial for a communication device that allowed him to control a computer with his eyes and have it speak aloud for him.

Samantha said: “In that time it was fantastic. He was able to tell us he loves us, he was able to tell us what he wanted to do, even things like watch TV. We were absolutely amazed.”

But after the three week trial, Ryan’s family were told he doesn’t meet the criteria for funding to keep the equipment permanently.

Samantha said: “It’s really frustrating… but we woke up one day and just thought you know what? We’re going to get it. We’re going to fight for it.”

Ryan’s family set up a fundraiser to secure the £12,000 they need to pay for a permanent Smartbox eye gaze communication device.

Hundreds of people donated money, exceeding the target by more than £5,000 after Ryan’s story aired on Tuesday evening.

Reacting to the news, Samantha said: “We are over the moon. We didn’t honestly expect anything near what’s happened, it’s amazing.

“We’ve been crying for the past hour, not knowing what to do, shaking. Honestly we couldn’t thank people enough, everyone’s been so generous.”

Samantha has dedicated herself to helping Ryan as a member of his 24 hour care team, and says the device will change everything.

Samantha said: “It will open his world completely. Just being able to communicate as any 32 year old adult would. He’s got so much in his brain that needs to get out, but he can’t without this technology.

“There’s such an opportunity to express his thoughts. Being able to know the littlest things will change everything for him.”

Ryan’s family now hope they will be able to buy the device to allow him to share his happy personality with even more people.

“We never thought it would happen,” Samantha added. “It doesn’t feel real.”

And she had a special message for viewers: “You’ve made Ryan’s Christmas. For Christmas he’s going to have his voice. Thank you so much.

“We’re absolutely flabbergasted.”