Rebecca Turner, Continuous Improvement Manager EMEA at PQ Corporation, was inducted into The Manufacturer Top 100 in 2015, while she was working at Jaguar Land Rover.
She started her career as an apprentice in BAE / Airbus and qualified as an engineer in the early 1990s. She was named in the Top 100 ten years ago for her dedication to inspire future generations to consider engineering as a career path of choice and strives to promote engineering to young females as a practical and fulfilling career option.
However, back in 2023, Rebecca became extremely unwell at work. She was taken home with what appeared to be a severe migraine, however, her pain intensified and on being admitted to hospital, she suffered a catastrophic stroke and was placed into an induced coma.
She spent days in ICU while doctors worked to stabilise her. When Becky finally woke over a month later she was unable to move or speak. She had developed Locked-In Syndrome, a condition that l eaves individuals fully aware but unable to communicate without specialised technology.
Since then, Becky has spent over a year in and out of hospital, battling infections, constant pain, and the immense physical and emotional challenge of rehabilitation. She now communicates letter-by-letter via eye movement – a 45-minute conversation can be totally exhausting.
Despite all of this, Becky is determined to speak again, eat normally, cook, regain her independence, and be fully present for her children.
To support these goals, the campaign #HelpBeckySpeak has been launched to raise awareness, share updates and help secure the communication technology Becky needs.
Unfortunately, existing NHS options have not provided a workable solution. So we’re reaching out beyond traditional pathways and into the incredibly innovative manufacturing community for new ideas, technologies and global expertise.
If you work in, or know anyone working in:
* Assistive technology
* Eye-tracking solutions
* Brain-computer interfaces
* AAC (augmentative and alternative communication)
* Neuro-rehabilitation
* Human-computer interaction… or if you can amplify this message, we would be deeply grateful.
Please share Becky’s story or reach out if you have contacts who can help. A single introduction could change her life.
📌 Important: Becky cannot read or reply to any messages on LinkedIn or her other accounts.
Please direct all messages, support, or enquiries to:
LinkedIn Page
Instagram: HelpBeckySpeak
Twitter: @HelpBeckySpeak
Website www.HelpBeckySpeak.com
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