Read on to learn more about Pat Perkins, the President of SI Liverpool, and why it’s particularly important to Pat to support MSDP.

Hello, 

My name is Pat Perkins, President of SI Liverpool. 

I am delighted that SI Liverpool has chosen MSDP as one of the charities we wish to partner and hopefully raise some funds to benefit Liverpool Deaf people. 

I am also the proud sister of James (Jimmy) McLaughlin, a talented sculptor, well known within the Deaf community and Hearing World. 

My big brother, Jimmy, is 18 years older than me. 

As Jimmy’s “baby sister”, I have always been a support to him whilst appreciating the love and care he has given me as a child, teenager and adult!  

When Jimmy’s boss, Tyson Smith, passed away, clients, architects and business colleagues asked Jimmy to take over the business, continuing his work as a sculptor at Studio 49, Blue Coat Chambers. 

Pre mobile phones and texts, Jimmy relied on communicating with clients via fax and I acted as his unpaid personal assistant making phone calls. This role was later taken by Jimmy’s son, Mathew.  

Jimmy had a very successful career as a sculptor with lots of his work around Liverpool. From both cathedrals to museums and commercial premises, Jimmy’s work can still be seen today. 

Sadly, Jimmy at 86, nearly 87, is unable to live independently and is in a care home. Whilst other residents and staff are caring and friendly to Jimmy, communication is limited, a hearing world and only Jimmy profoundly deaf. This is a prime example of the inequality experienced by the Deaf Community. 

My observations over the years of health inequalities and inequality in education and employment opportunities experienced by the Deaf community is one of the reasons I am pleased SI Liverpool may be able to make a small difference in raising public awareness. 

During my career in the Department of Work and Pensions and latterly the NHS, I have been an advocate for deaf people, using Jimmy as an example to dispel assumptions made by some people.  

I hope that by working in partnership, improving people’s understanding and awareness of communication techniques, we can engage and support deaf people in Liverpool. If we can dispel some of the misconceptions and particularly address some health inequalities, working together, we will start to make a difference. 

I look forward to arranging a Deaf Awareness session for SI Liverpool members, family and friends. We are also introducing MSDP to LHCH CVD Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) Prevention Team to deliver a session to MSDP members and their families on heart health. 

If you would like to know more about Soroptimist International Liverpool and our wider organisation, please access the links below. 

Let’s be kind. 

Let’s make a difference. 

In friendship, 

Pat 

Find out more about SI Liverpool here: www.sigbi.org/liverpool