Latest news with #JonathanBryan
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
TV star and campaigner who 'changed countless lives' dies aged 19
An "inspirational campaigner" for the rights of non-verbal children has died at the age 19, his family has Bryan, from Chippenham, Wiltshire, was born with severe cerebral palsy and failing kidneys. Unable to walk, hold a pen or communicate verbally, he was taught to read at the age of seven, communicating with his eyes using a special board covered with letters. During his lifetime, he starred in CBBC's My Life: Locked In Boy documentary and authored several books.A spokesperson for Jonathan's charity, Teach Us Too, said: "Jonathan was a remarkable young man whose voice and vision changed countless lives." Classed as having Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties (PMLD), his first school placed him on a sensory curriculum - which meant he was not being taught to read or his mother took him out of school and taught him using an alphabet then started campaigning for every non-verbal child to be taught to read and write. "Disabled children with communication issues are not being taught in special schools. They are being babysat," he previously petition, created in 2016, calling on the government to reform the special needs curriculum, so that all disabled children had the opportunity to access literacy, has more than 875,000 his campaigning for better educational opportunities for non-verbal children, he received the prestigious Diana Legacy award in 2017. 'He showed the world what is possible' He released his first book, Eye Can Write in 2018, in which he spoke about how he learned to read and the profound difference it made to his proceeds went to Jonathan's charity, Teach Us also communicated regularly through his blog, Eye Can Talk, with his final post appearing in December 2024, where he spoke of being accepted onto the Creative Writing course at Bath Spa University. Teach Us Too, paid further tribute to Mr Bryan, saying he was an "inspiration"."We are deeply saddened by the death of our founder."His courage, insight, and determination challenged perceptions and championed the rights of children who are too often overlooked."He showed the world what is possible when we presume competence and truly listen. As those who loved him and continue his vision, we are honoured to carry his light forward," a spokesperson said.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gladstone Commercial Announces Industrial Acquisition in Dallas/Fort Worth (D/FW) International Airport
MCLEAN, VA / / March 31, 2025 / Gladstone Commercial Corporation (Nasdaq:GOOD) ("Gladstone Commercial") is pleased to announce the acquisition of a newly constructed, 140,304 square-foot, Class A USDA food processing facility. This state-of-the-art facility, purchased for $44,000,000, features advanced cold storage capabilities and has been secured at a weighted average GAAP capitalization rate of 8.44%. The facility features extensive ammonia cold storage space, 40-foot clear heights, 15 dock doors, and a cross-dock configuration. The property was acquired through a third-party transaction and is under an 11.3-year absolute NNN lease. The property is 100% leased to Three Sons Holding Inc., DBA American Meat Companies ("AMC"), a third-generation, family-owned business. AMC was founded nearly 50 years ago in 1975 and has established a strong reputation for quality and safety in the meat processing industry. AMC produces high-quality steaks, hamburger patties, pork chops, poultry items, and custom-prepared products tailored to customer needs. This acquisition aligns with Gladstone Commercial's growth strategy of acquiring high-quality, mission critical assets leased to creditworthy tenants in robust industrial markets. The property was marketed by Jonathan Bryan of CBRE National Partners. Comments from Gladstone Commercial's Head of South-Central Region, Todd McDonald: "We are excited to add another functional, Class A building to our portfolio. We are also proud to add a high-quality tenant to our roster with a strong commitment to the building and a long-term net lease." Comments from Gladstone Commercial's President, Buzz Cooper: "We continue to focus on industrial assets, adhering to a disciplined acquisition process. This acquisition, involving a high-quality food processing facility, reflects our commitment to securing mission-critical assets in strong markets. This purchase demonstrates our dedication to partnering with leading tenants in competitive markets, enhancing our long-term growth strategy." About Gladstone Commercial (Nasdaq:GOOD) Gladstone Commercial is a real estate investment trust focused on acquiring, owning and operating net leased industrial and office properties across the United States. As of December 31, 2024, Gladstone Commercial's real estate portfolio consisted of 135 properties located in 27 states, totaling approximately 16.9 million square feet. For additional information, please visit For Broker Submittals: South Central: Midwest/West Todd Alan McDonald Ryan Carter Senior Vice President Executive Vice President (703) 287-5895 (571) 451-0019 Southeast/Northeast Nick Lindsay Vice President (703) 966-3864 Investor or Media Inquiries: Buzz Cooper Catherine Gerkis President Director of Investor Relations/ESG (703) 287-5815 (703) 287-5846 All statements contained in this press release, other than historical facts, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties as they relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans and strategies, anticipated events, or trends concerning matters that are not historical facts and may ultimately prove to be incorrect or false. Forward-looking statements include information about possible or assumed future events, including, without limitation, those relating to the discussion and analysis of Gladstone Commercial's business, financial condition, results of operations, and our strategic plans and objectives. Words such as "may," "might," "believe," "will," "anticipate," "future," "could," "growth," "plan," "intend," "expect," "should," "would," "if," "seek," "possible," "potential," "likely" and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, though not all forward-looking statements contain these words. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included within or contemplated by such statements, including, but not limited to, the description of risks and uncertainties in "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC on February 18, 2025, and certain other filings made with the SEC. Gladstone Commercial cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date made. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. For further information: Gladstone Commercial Corporation, (703) 287-5893 For Investor Relations inquiries related to any of the monthly dividend paying Gladstone funds, please visit SOURCE: Gladstone Commercial Corporation View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
Sky News
12-03-2025
- Health
- Sky News
Non-verbal teenager who wrote a book with his eyes says he's 'voice of the voiceless'
A teenager with severe cerebral palsy who wrote a book using his eyes has urged teachers not to underestimate their pupils. When Jonathan Bryan started school he was given the label PMLD, which stands for profound and multiple learning disabilities. It meant he was placed on a sensory curriculum - essentially early years education - but his mother took him out of school and taught him to read and write using an alphabet board. Mr Bryan told The UK Tonight With Sarah-Jane Mee he has become a "voice of the voiceless" over 10 years of campaigning to prevent people with complex needs and who are non-verbal from being overlooked. The 19-year-old is now a published author and is studying creative writing at the University of Bath. Asked if the school system was underestimating children with PMLD, he said the mistake was in thinking "it's something that's diagnosed" when it is "just an educational label given to children who look like me - usually in a wheelchair, with little or no means of communication". "Our cognition isn't tested before we get the label, but we are treated like we all have a profound intellectual disability," he said. "We're not taught to read or write because it's assumed we'll never learn. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy. We don't learn because we aren't taught." He said "people look at us and make assumptions about our capacity to learn". "When you don't speak out loud, people assume your intellect is the same as a pre-verbal toddler. Because we don't speak, it's easier to ignore us. It's why I speak up about this as a voice for the voiceless." After a decade of campaigning, Mr Bryan said there is "still a long way to go". "Until the government expects this cohort to be taught literacy, it's down to individuals and schools to raise their expectations," he said. ' Please don't underestimate your pupils' Asked what his life would have been like if his mother had not taught him to read and write using an alphabet board, he said: "I'd rather not think about it. I'd be left to my own thoughts and unable to communicate everything I can now. It's difficult imagining how lonely and boring that would be." Mr Bryan had a message for those who might underestimate people with similar needs. "If you are a teacher watching this, please don't underestimate your pupils," he said. "Anyone else, please remember, non-speaking is not the same as non-thinking." He encouraged people who are non-speaking and "have a story of how you learnt to read and write" to contact the charity he founded, Teach Us Too. A Department for Education spokesperson said: "We are determined to break down the barriers to opportunity to ensure all young people with SEND, like Jonathan, can achieve and thrive. This includes making sure every child has a strong foundation in reading and writing as part of our Plan for Change. "The system we've inherited has been failing to meet the needs of children and families for far too long and we are determined to improve inclusivity and expertise in mainstream schools, making sure special schools cater to children with the most complex needs."
