Early Challenges and Determination
"Doedd arbenigwyr ddim yn disgwyl i mi gyflawni rhyw lawer ac roedd mam yn benderfynol o'u profi nhw'n anghywir."
These words encapsulate the childhood of linguist and author Ant Evans, originally from Harlech and now residing in Caernarfon.
Ant recently published his autobiography titled Llyfr Agored.
Living with the neurological condition hydrocephalus, Ant underwent brain surgery at just five weeks old.
Despite these challenges, he progressed through education and college, though it was a continuous struggle.
The book combines Ant’s life story with reflections on his mother’s experience raising a disabled child.
Manon Steffan Ros interviewed Ant Evans on her program Llwyfan on BBC Radio Cymru.
Feeling Relief
Although Ant had never considered writing an autobiography, once he decided to do so, he felt compelled to record both the positive and negative aspects together.
A conversation over drinks with author John Gower in a Caernarfon pub inspired Ant to take on the project, transforming from book reviewer to author.
"Nes i benderfynu os dwi am sgwennu hunangofiant, does dim pwynt i gadw pethau yn ôl, does dim pwynt i mi guddio pethau. Dwi'n mynd i sgwennu pob dim lawr felly. Roedd 'na rannau o'r gyfrol oedd yn anoddach i sgwennu nag eraill,"he explained.
Writing the book brought Ant a sense of relief and he described the process as therapeutic, helping him to get everything "out of his system."
"Unwaith yr oedd o allan mewn du a gwyn ro'n i'n teimlo'n brafiach ac yn meddwl, 'reit, dwi wedi cael y teimladau 'ma allan rŵan er bod yr atgofion dal yno'."
The volume expresses much love and hope when discussing his mother, but also describes the difficult relationship Ant had with his father.
Ant describes his relationship with his father as "frustrating." He changed his surname to avoid sharing the same name but emphasizes that he does not hate him.
"Pan mae'n dod at drafod fy nhad, roedd hynny yn anodd achos mae o dal yn fyw. Dwi ddim yn ei gasáu o gwbl a hynny'n bennaf oherwydd roedd Mam yn ei garu. Felly oedd Mam yn caru rhywun, fedrwn i ddim eu casáu nhw,"he said.
Struggles and Advocacy
Struggle is a key theme throughout the book, not only Ant’s fight against health challenges but also his battle with authorities to secure fair educational rights as a child.
His mother played a crucial role in this fight and is extensively featured in the autobiography.
Ant began primary school in 1994 at age six, a year late due to his disabilities.
"Oherwydd yr hydroseffalws, y nam golwg, a'r gwendid i lawr ochr dde'r corff doedd yna'r un ysgol yn y dalgylch yn fodlon fy nerbyn i.
Roedd yna dipyn o ddadlau, rhwng Mam a'r awdurdodau addysg yn mynnu bod gen i'r un hawl ag unrhyw blentyn arall i gael addysg a'r ysgolion lleol yn dadlau i'r gwrthwyneb."
The Disability Discrimination Act was passed in 1995, a year after he started school.
"Roedd Mam mor bendant, ac mor awyddus i mi dderbyn addysg. Doedd hi ddim yn fodlon i mi beidio â mynd i'r ysgol.
Yr awdurdod wnaeth ildio yn y diwedd ac fe gafodd un ysgol, Ysgol Tanycastell, eu gorfodi i bob pwrpas i fy nerbyn fel disgybl,"Ant recalled.
Homelessness and Hardship
Further hardships came after his parents’ divorce in 2009 and the death of his mother from cancer.
Following the divorce, the family home was sold and the proceeds split between his mother and father, marking the start of a difficult period.
The financial downturn meant little interest in the bungalow. Ant went to college while he and his mother had to move home, and later he cared for her after her cancer diagnosis.
After his mother’s death, 24-year-old Ant had to find a home for himself and his younger brother.
"Yn anffodus, ro'n i'n profi cymaint o rwystrau fel rhywun sy'n ddi-waith ac yn fyfyriwr, aoedd yn chwilio am dŷ,"he said.
No one wanted tenants on benefits with pets, and his father pressured him to give up the house to get the money.
"Yn anffodus, mi wnaeth 22 Rhagfyr 2013 gyrraedd a doedden ni heb ddod o hyd i unlle i fyw, a'r tŷ wedi gwerthu, a dyma'r cwpwl oedd wedi prynu'r lle yn glanio ar stepen drws yn barod i symud fewn."
His younger brother stayed with relatives in Harlech, but no one could accommodate Ant due to his dog and cat. He stayed with half-brother and stepsister in Liverpool for six months, sleeping on a sofa.
"Yn amlwg ro'n i yn wynebu'r un rhwystrau o ran dod o hyd i rywle i fyw."
Could he turn to his father for help? Ant said no.
"Fo oedd wedi bod yn cwffio am werthiant y tŷ, ac mi wnaeth o briodi ei feistres ryw saith mis wedi marwolaeth Mam.
Doedd 'na fawr o Gymraeg rhyngon ni ar y pryd. Yn dilyn cyfarwyddiadau gan Mam, 'dw i'n gwrtais efo fo bob tro 'dw i'n ei weld o, ond 'dw i ddim yn meddwl byddai neb yn dweud bod gynnon ni berthynas tad a mab gonfensiynol."
Current Life and Future Plans
Ant Evans is now an Assistant Language Officer with Gwynedd Council. In 2024, he was appointed as a Welsh book reviewer for the website Nation.cymru. He has been an avid reader since about age four.
Having developed a taste for writing, he hopes to publish more books in the future.
"Mae gen i syniadau ar gyfer llyfrau ffeithiol. Dwi ddim eisiau i bobl fy ngosod i mewn blwch straeon ffeithiol, dwi hefyd eisiau arbrofi mwy efo sgwennu ffuglen yn benodol - straeon byr neu hyd yn oed nofelau, felly dwi'n edrych ymlaen yn fawr at arbrofi gyda hynny."
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