Lost Voice Guy to make stand-up debut

A Newcastle man is aiming to become the first stand up comedian to use a communication aid tonight.

Lee Ridley, who has cerebral palsy, lost his voice as a child and has had to speak through his Lightwriter communication aid ever since.

Now though, after many prompts from friends, Lee is preparing for his first stand up set, appearing as Lost Voice Guy at Sunderland’s Stand Up For Mission.

Lee said: “I’ve always got a buzz out of making people laugh and I guess stand up comedy was always my dream job.

“Obviously I never seriously thought about it because of my disability. It was only when other people started to suggest it that it got me thinking. It hasn’t gone away since so I thought I might as well do something about it”

As well as taking a personal leap of faith, Lee is raising money for Scope, the leading UK disability charity for children and adults with cerebral palsy. Anyone wishing to sponsor him able to donate at his Just Giving page.

Performing with an artificial voice has thrown up unique logistical problems (such as how best to amplify Lee’s voice throughout the room), but, with the help advice of other comedians, he is ready to face the challenge.

He said:“My main concern is that no one will be able to understand me and I’ll just be talking to myself. A bit like Wayne Rooney. It’ll either go really well or it’ll be a disaster, I know. There’s nothing to be lost from trying though.”

• Lee will be performing as Lost Voice Guy at Mission, Sunderland on Saturday Feb 4^th. For more details on this event, view their Facebook page.
• Keep up with Lee’s progress on his blog, Lost Voice Guy.
• To sponsor Lee, visit his Just Giving page or donate £5 by texting ‘SUFL99 £5′ to 70070.