Speak Easy is a support group for those with Head & Neck Cancers.
Ann Muir told us, “We are a unique group in Lanarkshire. This group has been running for aprox 30 years, with myself being involved for the last 28 years. When I became a laryngectomee – someone whose voice box had to be removed due to cancer, I found that many people lived in isolation with this awful condition. I also found out that most did not get any disability benefits – due in part to those who decided who qualified for benefits didn’t understand the condition. “
Ann continued, “I didn’t know who to contact, & wrote to Queen Elizabeth who arranged for the then Minister for Health to visit Tom Clarke MP at that time, & a good supporter of our group, to meet with me & some others.”
“There I highlighted the difficulties faced. I then had to visit Benefit offices to demonstrate how we could or not communicate. I had made a full list of all the problems I & many many others faced in our daily lives. The result was that we then qualified for benefits. There were also a number of stories in the papers regarding life as a laryngectomee. “
The small charity hasn’t had much funding in all these years. Funds raised by members doing sponsored walks have kept them going.
To create some awareness for anybody with head and neck cancers, this wonderful group shares information on benefits, appliances, holiday insurance, tips & cookery books on eating well, & personal alarms.
They openly welcome family members/carers in a friendly, understanding environment to attend their meetings held every 1st Wednesday of the month in
Pather Community Centre,
Caledonian Road,
Wishaw from 1-3pm.
They often have NHS staff join them when they can & have guest speakers on occasion. Come along, make new friends, get information & share a tea /coffee/biscuits & talk if possible, & if not don’t worry…..they’re all good at lip reading!
