Honouring Jonathan Bryan

"It made a difference for that one."

The Star Thrower, Loren Eiseley

Today was the funeral of Jonathan Bryan, a truly extraordinary young man whose words, spirit, and unwavering determination changed lives and challenged perceptions. The service was incredibly moving. The images shown of Jonathan’s life were a reminder of how far he had come. It was a celebration of a life that continues to inspire long after it ended.

Jonathan’s message was clear and unwavering: every child and young person, regardless of physical ability or communication method, deserves access to literacy. It was a privilege to have known him and to support the work of Teach Us Too, the charity born from his vision. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched, and his influence continues to shape the work I do every day.

I encourage everyone reading this to explore Jonathan’s story through his blog and his book Eye Can Write, and to visit the Teach Us Too website, where you’ll find Transformational Tales from incredible young people whose lives have been changed by access to communication.

My logo reflects the heart of my work. Inspired by the story of The Star Thrower, the starfish symbol captures my belief that every small action matters, and that every child and young person deserves the chance to thrive. Making a small change each day makes a difference, no matter how small the action may seem. Jonathan created the image opposite for my book launch, saying that with my book I was changing the tide.

Thank you, Jonathan. You will not be forgotten.

Your legacy lives on, in the children now learning to read, in the educators rethinking their approach, and in the families who now see what’s possible.

Sarah x