By Kgalema Madupi
Edited by Tasmiyah Randeree & Imaan Moosa
“Today a reader, tomorrow a leader” — Margaret Fuller. Speech therapist and audiologist Rumaanah Bham empowers children and adults who suffer from learning and cognitive disabilities to become fully-fledged future leaders.
Education is power. In the pursuit of truth, one cannot ignore the importance of knowledge. The essentials of navigation require an open mind and a passionate heart. It also requires guidance and light.
Rumaana Bham, a speech therapist and audiologist is a luminary who emanates compassion and paves the way to posterity for others.
The future is determined by our present, and her present is embedded in her determination to develop and treat communication disorders. For those who live in what is understood as the ‘normal’ world, the surreal complexities of not being able to communicate are foreign.
Bham knows the real world, and for her, the disadvantages cannot be dismissed or go unassisted.
Everyone deserves a voice.
Bham believes this truth. She has worked tirelessly to assist people who do not have this opportunity.
She started her own Speech Therapy and Audiology practice, based in Houghton Estate, Johannesburg, called Rumaana Bham Speech Therapy and Audiology. The practice specializes in aid and support services to adults and children who have learning and education difficulties due to speech and audio abnormalities.
Speech therapists and audiologists are integral to the instruments and processes of learning, with aspirations of developing a society that advances and helps those others turn away from.
“I wouldn’t change you for the world, but I will change the world for you.”
Her character speaks through her. “I felt as though this profession complimented my personality and purpose best.”
Working towards change, Bham is sensitive and patient, resourceful and creative, and willing to share her treasures. Her empathetic nature and extended care for others have been the fuel to ignite hope, giving her patients an opportunity to define themselves through their capabilities.
“We need to make a conscious effort to be more inclusive and respectful to everyone, regardless of our abilities. We also need to remind ourselves and others that there are often support systems available for both adults and children with learning difficulties. Creating awareness by sharing this information with our communities is imperative to create more positive dialogue around this topic.”
Communication and educational disability is an understated conversation. The passion to learn is in everyone but others suffer tremendously to unlock it because of the disadvantages they are burdened with.
Bham’s work is necessary because, as a speech therapist and audiologist, she sees the discouragement patients face as they are weakened by the societal idea that they cannot perform basic communication and cognitive tasks; that society degrades them and marginalizes them as lost causes.
There are boundaries that limit their cognitive abilities and communication: a wall between them and a world of possibilities.
Bham explains this: “In 2019, the illiteracy rate for children aged 15-19 in South Africa was 5.9%. My concern is that not all children are receiving or retaining information adequately in the classroom. Lacking basic reading skills decreases their chances to sustain a living through decent employment. This further jeopardizes social inclusion, cohesion, and stability.”
“There are numerous areas of this field that could benefit from research and government intervention. I have a special interest in risk-based screening. I would therefore advocate and encourage policymakers to consider developmental screening as a requirement by law for the high-risk population in both the public and private sector. The Parents’ Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) can be viewed as a coordinated and cost-effective measure for developmental screening.”
Mastering in her field in 2019 at the University of Witwatersrand, Bham wrote her thesis on ‘The Development Outcome of Children Previously Enrolled in a Risk-Based Hearing Screening Programme’.
In addition, her accomplishments include the Golden Key Award and runner-up for AB Clemons Award for Best Honours Research in Speech Therapy (2016).
The journey of writing my thesis was filled with highs and lows. The highs included constant learning, development of skills, learning from other researchers, and learning new things about myself.
The lows include hours spent in planning, analysing and writing which can possibly lead to burnout. The hard work definitely pays off though when you are able to conclude with exciting new findings.
In her thesis, she explains her research outcomes: “Findings from the study suggest that all children considered high-risk should be continuously monitored across all developmental domains. Emphasis should be placed on children who received bilirubin treatment and ototoxic medication as they were found to present with a higher risk of developmental delays. Audiologists are encouraged to monitor certain risk factors more closely than others in an overburdened healthcare context.”
From working at private practices like Kerry-Lee Galliard Speech Therapy and Audiology, Calligaro and King Inc. and Bheki Mlangeni District Hospital in Soweto, her actions speak louder than words. She fondly recalls the people she has surrounded herself with; a community is needed to uplift others and working together is pivotal to empowerment.
“In both [public and private] settings I had to learn the basics of different languages in order to provide appropriate speech therapy and audiology services. You are also exposed to a variety of cases within the speech therapy and audiology profession. I am grateful to have worked in both sectors as it develops your skills in different domains. It is only the added responsibility of running your own practice which differs.”
She finds her inspiration in the potential and dreams that people have.
I hope to see increased efforts towards education accessibility and quality, especially in less resourced areas. I also hope to see an increase in our literacy rates, and greater employment aspects.
The most influential people, she praises, are the people she works with at her own practice. Her admiration for their enthusiasm, persistence, and dedication to participate in their children’s therapy sessions and individuals who embrace themselves at their best despite their difficulties.
Her courage to be a part of the solution has elevated many out of their own problems by creating a chain reaction of good and positive action.
“Caregivers are often given the responsibility of monitoring their children’s hearing ability and communicative development, and to visit appropriate professions if a concern arises. However, caregivers often present with poor knowledge associated with hearing impairment and speech developmental milestones. This can create late identification of speech and hearing difficulties.”
Bham has attempted to overcome this challenge by performing speech and hearing screenings at preschools and informing caregivers and teachers of appropriate developmental milestones for children during the early childhood development period (0 to 8 years).
Many caregivers may also not have the funds to purchase educational toys to encourage learning for their children. This has been overcome by creating low-cost toys from recycled materials.
Bham also creates affordable handmade playdough sensory kits, ‘Peachy Speech’ kits to encourage language learning.
Bham says that her philosophy is “…holistic in the sense that I work with other multidisciplinary professionals and the family involved. ‘Open-minded’ as it is important to attempt and be open to different approaches to see what works best for each individual to reach their full potential.”
If you desire to make a difference in the world, you must be different from the world.
When she is not working, she still lives her life through her passion. She enjoys creative tasks and makes handmade dough sensory kits, such as the Peachy Speech kits. She is also passionate about a healthy and loving lifestyle, spending time with family and friends and her humanitarian service to NPOs, and volunteering.
Rumaana’s teachable moment: “Your intention rules your life and determines the outcome. So, keep your intentions clear, do your best, trust in the power greater than yourself and relax!”
For more information on the services, they provide and purchasing sensory kits, visit Rumaana Bham Speech Therapy and Audiology website and social pages. You can also contact them via phone and email.
Phone: +27 (0) 82 966 1315
Email: info@rbspeechaudiology.co.za
Website: https://rbspeechaudiology.co.za/
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