Lee Rigley won Britain’s Got Talent in June this year in an almost super human feat that surprised many. No comic act had every won the show before, but more than that Lee is a comedian without a voice. Known as ‘Lost Voice Guy’ he has to rely on a synthesizer to communicate – nevertheless he is able to overcome this huge hurdle in such a way that he literally has audiences in stitches. Now this month, as part of his prize he gets to perform for the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance….
“There are too many people praying for mountains of difficultly to be removed, when all they really need is the courage to climb them.” – Anonymous.
Lee is an inspiration to all of us to put aside the things that hold us back and embrace life to the full. It was in 2011 when I first heard of a local Newcastle man called Lee Rigley who was trying to break into the comedy circuit. I was amazed as I heard that Lee had been diagnosed with cerebral palsy as a baby which had affected his movement and rendered him totally unable to speak. I thought, “he wants to be a comedian, but can’t speak? I really must meet this guy!”
After making some inquiries I found out that Lee was working as the Online Content Manager for the city of Sunderland and I duly contacted him, and he kindly invited me to his home for an interview. Arriving at Lee’s home a couple of days later I watched intrigued as he moved slowly around the house, gave me tea and biscuits and I felt blessed by his warm welcome.
Lee explained that because of his disability he had suffered loneliness as a child and had no friends at school, but added that his childhood was made easier by attending a school for disabled children. From an early age he was fascinated by comedy and wondered whether, in spite of his disability, he could maybe one day become a comedian and follow his dream. He purchased an iPad voice synthesizer that allowed him to communicate with people and later he began to use pre-programmed sound clips for his comedy routine.
After much dogged determination, hard work, and some disappointments he moved slowly up the comedy circuit and success followed by an appearance at the Edinburgh Festival and a starring role on Radio 4 sitcom ‘Ability.’ (Ability! Irony, stretched a little. Ah what). Then in June 2018 I saw that Lee had made it through the audition stages of Britain’s Got Talent! And to crown it all he won the 12th series of the popular show on ITV, which is ultimately decided by a public vote.
During his audition and subsequent broadcasts Lee’s comedy, humility, and winsome personality greatly changed the public’s perception of people with a disability. (Or should that be ability). His prize for winning was £250,000 and the honour of performing at the annual Royal Variety Performance on 19th November 2018. So later this month, Lee will perform in front of senior members of the royal family, which will be televised and watched by millions around the world.
Don’t give up, try and try again
Lee Rigley is a great example that your disabilities do not define you. Others that readily come to mind are Helen Keller, Stephen Hawking and Joni Eareckson Tada. Like ‘Lost Voice Guy’ they have all overcome their disabilities and life’s challenges with perseverance, determination, and resolve, thus encouraging other people facing life’s disappointments to ‘not give up, but to try, and try again.’
- Helen Keller was stricken by a severe illness when she was a child, and grew up unable to hear or see. She became a celebrated author, speaker and activist for deaf, blind, children, and adults.
- Stephen Hawking was the celebrated physicist, writer, and television personality who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease when he was only 21 years of age. Like Lee Rigley he used a voice synthesizer.
- Joni Eareckson Tada suffered a diving accident in 1967 as a teenage girl that rendered her a quadriplegic and she has had to use a wheelchair for over 50 years. Today Joni leads an international Christian ministry, advocates for people with disabilities, is a sought after speaker, bestselling author, and radio host.
One can hardly imagine how hard it was for Stephen Hawking to handle his disability as an atheist, and how much faith helped Helen Keller and Joni Eareckson Tada. For those of us who are believers we know that it is our belief in God that inspires us during our darkest days and our life experiences help shape us into the people we are today. As people we are called to move forward with hard work and dedication that will hopefully inspire others to do the same.
“Success is measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he/she has overcome while trying to succeed.” – Booker T Washington.
Watch the video below from ITV News that captures a little of Lee’s story. Thank you Lee and your friends for showing us that disability can become ability.
https://youtu.be/JqqAMBxI-I8
Credit: ITV – Photo Lost Voice Guy on Twitter
