There I was, sitting in a speech session in the middle of the week. \u00a0It was a monotonous day, one that looked a lot like the few days\/weeks\/months before it. \u00a0But then something happened, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. \u00a0Tears began to fill my eyes and I literally had to stop my thoughts in their tracks to keep myself from losing it right then and there. \u00a0An on-looker might be confused about why I was suddenly a teary eyed bawl baby – as it looked like an ordinary day. \u00a0But I knew I had just witnessed a MIRACLE. \u00a0My client, a five year old severely apraxic little boy had looked up at me in the middle of our session together and with a little bit of a smirk on his face had verbally requested a toy he wanted to play with. \u00a0“What’s the big deal?” – you ask. \u00a0Well. \u00a0I understood him. \u00a0Every sound, syllable, and word in the sentence were said correctly. \u00a0They were said naturally and easily, as if he wasn’t even thinking about how to get the words to come out. \u00a0He SPOKE and I heard his VOICE. \u00a0He had a voice, and I had heard it. \u00a0I heard his pitch, his tone, his intonation, his resonance. \u00a0I heard him. \u00a0And it was beautiful.<\/p>\n
You see… When I begin working with a severely delayed client I often dream about them. \u00a0I dream that I am speaking with them and communicating with them, and they are communicating with me. \u00a0In my dreams it is always natural and easy. \u00a0They don’t have to work at it. \u00a0It just comes out. \u00a0When I wake up from one of these dreams I am always hit with such mixed emotions. \u00a0Happiness because I heard them speaking, but sadness because I know it was not real. \u00a0Hope because I am then driven to make it a reality, and a little bit of fear that it will not be possible.<\/p>\n
But on this day, my dream came true. \u00a0I heard his voice and it was beautiful. \u00a0And it took me by such surprise – because even though I had often dreamed of it – the reality was so much more beautiful than the dream.<\/p>\n
On this day, after hours and days and months of practice and drills and models and techniques – it all came together. \u00a0He spoke. \u00a0Now don’t get me wrong. \u00a0He had communicated before, but always with aid and force and fatigue. \u00a0But not on that day. \u00a0That day it was natural. \u00a0That day it was beautiful. \u00a0And that day gave me the motivation to push forward because I knew he could do it.<\/p>\n
Today, that sweet little boy is like a parrot. \u00a0He literally imitates every word, sound, or sentence that comes out of my mouth. \u00a0As we climb into our chairs each afternoon to work I always begin by saying “Are you ready to work?” and I always hear his little echo “Are you ready to work?”. \u00a0He is amazing. \u00a0He used to be scared of his voice. \u00a0And tired of trying. \u00a0But now he has learned that his voice has power, and with practice and work he can make it do whatever he wants it to.<\/p>\n
His mother informed me that last night he said a prayer, and she cried through it because she understood it. \u00a0She is getting to meet her child for what seems like the first time. \u00a0Because he is unlocking what was always locked inside.<\/p>\n
This is the reason I do what I do. \u00a0He is the reason. \u00a0There is no greater job than helping a child find his voice. \u00a0I wouldn’t trade it for anything.<\/p>\n
He gives me motivation to continue with each client I work with. \u00a0And because of him I am reminded to never give up.<\/p>\n
Here is an inspiring message to help you remember to never give up as well…<\/p>\n