About Tom
Tom Ryan-Elliott from London, currently 34
Keen Photographer/Videographer and Disability Ambassador
Disabled since a TBI back in 2014 when in Sales
Looking for new ways to adapt in society now being disabled
Understanding Aphasia with Tom
Aphasia is the medical term for full loss of language
I have aphasia and it’s more simply known as a Speech and Language difficulty.
I have difficulty with:
Reading
Writing
Speaking
It doesn't affect intelligence as people with aphasia still think in the same way but are unable to communicate their thoughts easily.
Why Do I Have Aphasia?
In 2014, I fell down 51 steps and cracked a large section of my skull.
The neurosurgeons were forced to remove that section with fear I was going to die. I was on a life support machine because of the TBI.
I spent 28 weeks in multiple Hospitals around London for rehab and recovery, and I now have both aphasia and epilepsy.
My epilepsy is now under more control with this medication so I only have short simple focal seizures every 5 or 6 months.
What Aphasia means for me
Input - Communicating with me
I prefer communicating via email rather than on the phone, I use tools to help me ensure my language is correct. It gives me the time to prepare a proper and well structured answer
If we are speaking via voice, please turn video on as it makes me feel more at ease
Please speak slowly
I prefer 1:1 meetings, I feel more in control
A 1:1 shared document is helpful because it takes the pressure off having to speak
I prefer sending a document in advance of the conversation so that you can see everything I am planning to say in the meeting. If I don’t say it, the person I am speaking with can always look at the document and help me address my agenda points
Please give me space to think and reply. Please be patient with me.
Output - Communicating to others
I use images or share the screen to better explain my thoughts
Expect written mistakes (I try and use tools to cover these mistakes as much as I can)
I prefer writing over speaking when I need to explain complex issues (eg, this presentation)
It’s difficult to think when several people are speaking at the same time
Some moments along the way
A bit about Tom and his interests
Photography
Photography has always been my true passion, even before the injury
Having the time out of work post has pushed my photography even further forward and enhanced my skills
I studied Photography within the RHACC in Richmond, London. This involved, portrait, landscape and various different types of photography, including the use of film and SLR. I’ve now received many UAL Level Certificates in Photography and Videography.
It’s helped me move forward from just using the automatic settings in the camera to now always changing settings depending on the location / time / condition.
Photography is never a quick process and it’s taken me over 8 years to get to the position where I am now which includes 7 years of studying.
Videography
Time-Lapses and Hyperlapses have become my new favourite form of photography
I use Premiere Pro, After Effects, LRTimeLapse and BlackBox to push my content out to others
Am currently using a Manfrotto Super Clamp to remove the need of always having to carry a tripod as well as a SLYPOD PRO when a Hyperlapse is needed
How I Helped other Businesses
Active Inclusion: Storyteller, sharing insights on how businesses can include staff with disabilities to better engage with customers and ensure their products and services are accessible.
One Place East: Served as a videographer for a local charity, creating videos that showcase people with disabilities in their area https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wggk5F_TgM&t=37s.
Purple Tuesday: Collaborated with organizations like Canary Wharf and Boots to raise awareness about the importance of considering people with disabilities as potential customers, representing a significant market share of 20% https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs7phujVoAo .
Disability Expo: Participated in an event at the London Excel during Disability Pride Month, showcasing businesses and promoting disability inclusion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k7MCnCxJK0.
Epilepsy Society: Made a YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/user/epilepsysociety) that highlights how epilepsy can impact someone's life.
Neurodiversity In Business: Provided videography and editing services, creating videos to represent the needs of neurodiverse people to organizations like the UK Parliament, advocating for inclusion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-vvHPiEx8o&t=2s.
Plans To Move Forward
With it being over 10 years being unable to work because of aphasia, I’m looking for an organisation that fully understands and accepts the skills that are beneath people who have disabilities.
Social Media is now the connection that every business should be using to connect to their clients. I want to use my skills to help companies to get onto these large platforms.
Since supporting the likes of Epilepsy Society and Neurodiversity in Business, I’d like to use those skills into some form of role.
Currently, my actual employer has no form of relationship towards disability inclusion and has hidden me away through insurance since 2014
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