NANTWICH woman Wendy Taylor has the world at her fingertips when it comes to communicating with people.

Wendy has just completed a written version of her life story, which she has put together using finger spelling at South Cheshire College in Crewe.

The 43-year-old is blind and unable to speak but despite these setbacks she is determined to help others follow in her footsteps.

Wendy, who first started attending the college six years go, has completed courses in computing, art and drama, though her main progress has been the development of her communication skills.

She spent some 18 months creating her story, Unspoken Words, which was recently published in Mencap Matters - a magazine for the mentally disabled and people with learning disabilities.

In the article she talks about an incredible life-long journey, which has seen her become South Cheshire Woman of The Year in 1994 and receive an MBE from the Queen for her fundraising efforts.

Enterprising Wendy has worked tirelessly for charities up and down the country, mingling with celebrities including Angela Rippon and comedian Brian Rix.

The computing courses at the college mean she can now use a word processor and the Internet, both of which have enhanced her communication skills.

Wendy said: "I've really enjoyed writing the story and being able to use finger spelling and the computers makes me feel much more independent.

"Because I'm not able to speak, trying to make people understand what I wanted was very frustrating but now I can communicate better it is so much easier.

"I've used the Deafblind Alphabet throughout the story but I've also learnt other signs from British Sign Language as I've gone along."

Wendy first started to put her story together with the help of former college worker Pauline Holland.

And she was helped to finish it by Jane Mitchell, the Crewe campus's co-ordinator for students with sensory impairments.

Jane said: "Wendy has worked really hard on her story and what she has achieved is quite remarkable.

"When you see what she has done in her life it is amazing and we are delighted that she has already had part of the story published in the spring edition of the magazine."

Wendy added: "I want to write something else in the future but for the moment I just want to keep practicing my finger spelling and sign language so I can carry on talking to people and letting them know my needs."