London ( CNN ) -- Lee Ridley staggers onto the stage at London 's Soho Theatre and squints into the darkness at the sell-out crowd . It 's the first paid gig in his short career as a stand-up comedian . The microphone stands in the spotlight in the centre of the stage but Lee does n't approach it . He does n't need to because he has no voice . Under the stage name `` Lost Voice Guy , '' Lee is fast becoming the talk of the town . Born with cerebral palsy he has been unable to speak since birth . Off-stage he uses a somewhat cumbersome machine which resembles an electric typewriter to convert his words to speech . On stage he uses an iPad with a text-to-voice app . Lost Voice Guy thanks the audience for their warm welcome and adds : `` I have n't felt this important since the doctors said I was going to be a special child . '' Encouraged by the laughter he continues , referring to his difficulty walking . `` I know what you were thinking when I walked on . It 's OK I 'm used to it . '' Having apparently played on the sympathy of the audience he switches the joke . `` You thought 'here comes another ****** with an iPad . ' Well I 'm not . I 'm a disabled ****** with an iPad -- the difference being I paid for mine with my benefit [ welfare ] money . '' Do n't tell David Cameron . He still thinks I can not walk , can barely see and have a problem with my bladder . Unfortunately for those closest to the stage -- one of those facts is actually true . '' He 's into his stride now and has the crowd on his side . `` In case you were in any doubt I really am disabled . It 's not just really good acting and I 'm definitely not just in it for the parking space . `` When I realized I would never be able to talk again I was speechless . '' Ridley continues , talking about his synthesized voice , a mature male English accent which he refers to as a `` posh version of Robocop '' and demonstrates the limited alternatives he had to choose from including a woman 's voice , American accents and a German translation . But just when things are proceeding smoothly , disaster strikes and technology kicks him in the seat of his pants . After an uncomfortable silence Ridley recovers with a little improvisation . `` Sorry Ladies and gentlemen , my iPad has just crashed . Where the **** is Steve Jobs when you need him ? '' As the laughter continues he 's up and running once more . `` I am not related to Steven Hawking in any way . However I do hate the way people take the *** out of the way he speaks . I can really synthesize with him ! `` People have often asked me why I want to put myself in a position where everyone can look and stare at me . The truth is that it happens to me every day any way . At least this way there 's a scheduled time and place for it . '' He finishes his set with an account of his audition for Simon Cowell 's `` X-Factor '' with a dead-pan spoken-word version of `` I believe I can fly '' leaving the producers unsure how to handle him . With that he thanks his audience and lurches off the stage with loud cheers ringing in his ears . Just as Ridley thinks the night can not get any better he bumps into one of his heroes -- not a comedian but the manager of his favorite football team , Newcastle United . Manager Alan Pardew is warm in his admiration . `` Let 's be honest -- it takes incredible bravery to do what he 's doing . More bravery than me or any of my players show to do what he 's trying to do . So all I can say is that I wish him all the best in a very tough business . Our business is tough but his is tougher so I wish him all the best . '' I suggest to Ridley that his act creates a dilemma for audiences : in normal circumstances it would be offensive for people to laugh at someone 's disability but Lost Voice Guy invites his audience to laugh along with him at his own disability . Ridley begins typing and about a minute later his machine gives voice to his thoughts . `` I 've also thought that any subject can be joked about if handled correctly . I think I can get away with more because it 's essentially about me . I 'd like to think the audience go away with a more positive view about disability . '' The bookings have begun to roll in -- Ridley has been hired to perform at the prestigious Edinburgh Festival Fringe , attended by many a talent booker in search of the next comedy breakthrough act .
Born with cerebral palsy , Lee Ridley has been unable to speak since birth . On stage he uses an iPad with a text-to-voice app . The manager of Ridley 's favorite football team praises his bravery . Lost Voice Guy invites his audience to laugh along with him at his own disability .