Deafblind Broughton teenager shortlisted for national charity award

A deafblind Broughton teenager has received a Young Person of the Year nomination at the Sense Awards.

Ava Jolliffe, 15, is deafblind and a wheelchair user and was shortlisted for the award by the national disability charity, Sense, recognising her achievements as a young artist and advocate for deafblind people.

Ava creates digital artworks using her tablet computer and raises awareness about deafblindness through her social media channels.

Ava said: “I am so very proud and happy to have been nominated for this award.

“I have worked very hard in advocating for my deafblind and disabled peers by showcasing my abilities to challenge perceptions and to improve understanding of complex needs artists and people. I have so many goals I want to achieve, and I want to show the world that disability does not stop you dreaming big.”

Ava’s recent artistic achievements include winning the public vote at the Harris Art Gallery Open Competition 2021 and running a successful solo art exhibition in Preston. She has many projects coming up, including commissions from Ocado Life magazine.

Ava is clinically extremely vulnerable. She was told she would not live past age seven due to the rare disorder Brown-Vialetto-Van Laere syndrome.

The pandemic was isolating for her as she had to spend lengthy periods at home. Despite being frustrated by the limits to what she could do, Ava was determined to focus on her art and continue being creative and raising deafblindness awareness.

Sense Chief Executive Richard Kramer said: “Ava is a brilliant young artist and advocate, as well as being a wonderful role model for young people who are deafblind.

“We are delighted to shortlist her as our 2021 Young Person of the Year and wish her all the best with her artistic ambitions.”

The Sense Awards recognise the achievements of people with complex disabilities and the staff, carers, family members, volunteers and fundraisers who support them.

Winners will be announced on 25 November.

For more information, visit – www.sense.org.uk/sense-awards

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