My greatest day since being able to communicate, was SpellX 2020.
I have always dreamed of making my words be heard over the world so that people can hear what I have to say about my most beautiful words and the way my body and my disruptive ways are my prison. My words are now set free to fly all over the world. To explain how that makes me feel, is like trying to put spilled water in a glass with only one finger to help: it is impossible!
I am overjoyed.
I am not only happy for myself, but also for ALL the other presenters and also for Stephanie and Zekwande, my friends from South Africa, who were such great hosts.
My moment of greatest joy was when I saw someone commenting on my presentation that my words is the reason why they will keep on fighting for all non-speakers to be heard. That is all that I want to do. I want other non-speakers to have the same privilege I have.
To be able to communicate, is the most important thing in life. Without communication, I had no hope, no joy, no life.
Thank you to I-ASC, the sponsors and every one who made this event possible.
Non – speaking joy My silence No speaking No communication No sharing opinions No requests No “ I love you”s No “please” and “ thank you” s is not me My body, Perfect and beautiful Unreliable Uncooperative Stupid Aggressive is not me My disruptive ways Pulling Pushing Noises Socially unacceptable behaviour is not me My words are who I am My words My heart My soul My life My love My faithful companions My long hidden treasure My reason not to give up My most greatest joy I love my words I love sharing my words I love bringing hope to others with my words I love loving my family and friends with my words I love studying because of my words I love saying what I feel because of my words I love being noticed because of my words I love making my biggest dreams come true because of my words My words are who I am Listen to my words, Do not look at my silence, my body or my disruptive ways MY WORDS ARE WHO I AM MY WORDS ARE WHO I AM
This is the original version of the poem ” Non-speaking joy” written by Nicolaas Paulsen for and presented at SpellX 2020.
my silent voice/ my stil stem 
Nicholas ek admireer jou.
Jy is n voorbeeld vir miljoene mense.
N vegter
N doelgerigte ambisieuse jongman.
Ek weet net:
Dit wie en wat jy is, is vanaf ons Hemelse Vader.
Hy het vir jou geseen met n Godgegewe gawe om met jou wyse van kommunikasie, ander mense te kan aanraak.
Maar ook mense se harte aan te raak.
Jys fenominaal my seun.
Ek loof en prys my Jesus Christus vir wat Hy my wys deur jou.
Sukses vir jou.
Voorspoed
Sprei jou vlerke na hoer hoogtes.
Jy is wie jy is!!!
Pragtig!!
N koningskind!
Liefde tannie Michele Holhoed
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Sien my kommentaar
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So trots op jou Nicolaas! Dit was so ‘n inspirase om jou Saterdagaand op die Spell-x te sien. Jou woorde is kragtig en ek is saam met jou so bly dat dit nou daar buite is vir die hele wereld om te sien. Hou so aan!
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Wow, that is so beautiful Nicolaas! My son and I are also working together to give him his voice. He is 14 just like you. Thank you for your advocacy. Nobody should ever be without a means to communicate. More power to you!
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Wow Nicolaas jy verbaas my elke keer .!!Ek is so dankbaar dat ek kon paaie kruis met jou.Ek het so baie by jou geleer oor outisme.En nou hierdie mooi gevoelvolle gedig!Jy beskryf so raak hoe jy die vaardigheid om te kommunikeer beleef.Die mooiste is dat jy hierdie diep begeerte om te kan kommunikeer vir al jou maats “met die stilstemme” wens.Doen so voort seun!Ek salueer jou en jou ma wat jou so mooi bly ondersteun.
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