Page 7 - Real Rochdale Issue 22 Summer 2024

LORENZA PYE: “I was devastated; I’m not ashamed to admit

there were a few tears. I’d never met anyone
Deaf before having Eliza; I’d never really had
WOMAN of rochdale 2024 any experience of people with disabilities in

general. She was the first person I met with
complex needs who is Deaf.”

Whilst Eliza still has regular medical
appointments and relies on a feeding tube, she
now uses BSL to communicate and currently
attends a mainstream school with one-to-one
support.

Lorenza and her family were advised to learn
sign language, with Eliza proving to be “a
natural signer” after taking to it quickly, but
it quickly became apparent that support was
limited.

Lorenza began learning BSL from a Deaf native
user of the language, which she said “has been
really helpful for me to understand.”

BSL has its own grammar and is structured
differently to English. It was first recognised
as a language in 2003 and only became a legal
Photos : Ken Rowlatt official British language in 2022. Lorenza with last year’s winner, Jenny Kennedy
Lorenza with her mum Michelle and eldest daughter Mya
Lorenza said: “Learning sign language is but want to make it more inclusive for children
expensive and it’s not accessible. We need to who do, which is a fantastic reason to learn.
Mum of two Lorenza Pye, 37, was crowned this year’s Woman of shout more about keeping BSL alive. It can be

Rochdale for her tireless work in making British Sign Language adapted to anyone, and you don’t have to use it “We’re all in it together, and that’s a huge part
more accessible to hundreds of Deaf and non-verbal children in the forever.” of my job and why people have connected with
Eliza Says. It’s not only the sign language, I’m
Rochdale borough. It was from this that the first iteration of Eliza living the same life, I’ve got the same
Says was created during lockdown, a free app experience. They love to meet Eliza and she’s
that teaches 100 BSL words, which made an inspiration to other families to show
Having previously worked in banking, Lorenza Eliza spent the first 10 weeks of her life in Lorenza realise “that’s what I wanted to do.” children can achieve with disabilities.
– who holds a level six qualification in British hospital, undergoing a tracheostomy when she
Sign Language (BSL) – set up her own free app was just seven weeks old to help her breathe The first Eliza Says sessions took place at Little “There is a lot of negativity, especially around
and now runs the Eliza Says Rhyme and Sign She was non-verbal for the first few years of Hens in Milnrow, and now Lorenza teaches disabilities, hearing loss and being deaf, so it’s
classes, where she teaches a “very basic” her life with Lorenza saying “she couldn’t make more sing and sign sessions across the really good to share the positive things. I’m
version of BSL to “break down barriers any sound and I didn’t hear her laugh or cry for borough, having branched out to teach children really big on inclusion and celebrating how
between SEN [Special Education Needs] and maybe four years.” with SEN, schools, nurseries and SEN schools. unique we all are, which I’m always trying to
mainstream.” She also volunteers her time using sign say to my children.
“We didn’t know there were any complications language to help support Deaf adults with
Lorenza, of Milnrow, initially began until after she was born and it was a bit of a cancer and wellbeing groups. “That’s what makes us wonderful.”
learning British Sign Language after her whirlwind,” Lorenza said. “We found out she
youngest daughter, Eliza, seven, was born with was deaf at around two months old and we’d She added: “Everyone’s learning at the same You can find out more about Eliza Says via the
CHARGE syndrome – a complex genetic just come home from hospital. Eliza had fought time. Lots of families are trying to learn ‘Elizasays’ Facebook page.
condition named after some of its symptoms – really hard to be alive for those 10 weeks and because the child needs it but sometimes, we
which affects her breathing, eating and hearing. we’d overcome a lot. do meet families who don’t have those needs, The Eliza Says app is free to download for iOS.

REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2024 6 7 REAL ROCHDALE - SUMMER 2024