96-Year-Old Woman Brought To Tears, Speaks Welsh For The First Time In 40 Years
May 18, 2020
An elderly Welsh woman who lives in the US has spoken Welsh for the first time in 40 years after a social media appeal.
Keith and Ray / BBC Wales
Ray McDermott has lived in the US for 70 years and was worried she would never speak Welsh again.
The mother-of-two has not spoken Welsh since her mother died nearly four decades ago and recently told her son Keith, "I don't think I'll ever have a chance to speak Welsh again."
Keith, 70, who lives in New York City, said he was desperate to help his mother speak her native tongue as she has started to suffer short-term memory loss.
So he put a request on Facebook and within 30 minutes, he was inundated with responses.
"She was shocked, he told the BBC. "I read each comment to her and she was very responsive when people included what part of Wales they are from."
Melisa Annis, a director and playwright originally from Wales but living in New York, even gave Ray a call.
Ray said it was lovely to speak to someone who had visited the same places as her when she was a child and that speaking Welsh again was a very special moment.
"I didn't think I would get to speak Welsh again," she said. "It actually brought tears to my eyes. I don't cry very often. It was lovely, it really was."
Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz
A Husky Was Lost. Owners Found Him With A Drone - Hanging Out With Bears
NBA Player Invites Old High School Coach To Live With Him After His Wife Passes
Friendly Donkey Serves As A Guide For A Blind Horse
Cat's Face Shows Opposite Of Gratitude After Being Rescued
Dog Completely Changes From Black To White
A First Birthday Reunion Party For The Whole Litter, Mama Pup Included
Can't Stop Laughing: Woman Screams, Runs From Angry Honking Geese
Mom With Cancer Shows Off Her New Wig, Husband's Reaction Has Everyone Laughing
Man And Dog Left Stunned After Cat FLIES Across The Room
Stuff Mothers Say: Magician Sings Song About All The Sayings We Never Forget
The Enchanted Cave Is The Largest Amethyst Cave In The World