Today is Apraxia Awareness Day. Today I raise my voice to advocate for Jackson and all the other kids with Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Today I educate other's about the speech disorder that steals the voices of so many kiddos; our little guy included. We've been on this journey since Jackson started speech therapy at 18-months-old. I've definitely learned a few things along the way; both beautiful and gut-wrenching lessons. This journey has been filled with joy and pain; hope and Continue Reading
Raise Your Voice & Wear Blue
There's a verse in 2 Timothy that reminds me of the amazing thing I’ve been entrusted with. A little boy who has Childhood Apraxia of Speech. 2 Timothy 1:14 says, Guard that good thing entrusted to you. Each day God reminds me that I’m Jackson’s biggest advocate. Jackson is determined and he’s working hard to find his voice; but until he finds it, John and I are called to speak on his behalf. Our job is to fight for our son. We are the only ones who will be his voice until he Continue Reading
Why Our Adoption Talk Has Been Delayed
Tomorrow we celebrate Jackson's fifth Gotcha Day - the day we legally became a Forever Family. It's a day to celebrate adoption, to remember his birth mother and to look back on the amazing story God has written for our family. Tomorrow I should be sharing age appropriate parts of Jackson's story with him. I should be talking about the anticipation we had driving to the hospital on that foggy, rainy Wednesday. I should be telling him how I listened to his heart beat all night long - scared Continue Reading
Seven Things I Learned In April
1. All about AAC, ABA and IEP A few years ago I had no idea what these acronyms stood for, but then I became the mama of a kiddo with Childhood Apraxia of Speech and Sensory Processing Disorder. This month I've learned all about Individualized Education Plans, Applied Behavior Analysis and Augmentative and Alternative Communication devices. The special needs journey is all about educating myself so that I can be the best advocate for Jackson. 2. My Favorite Etsy Shop has Speech Therapy Continue Reading
A Spilled Soda and the State of My Heart
Last week I lost it over spilled Dr Pepper. As the dark fizz ran from the kitchen table, making a puddle on the tile floor, I could feel my temper rising. I had just told Jackson to be careful. To not spill his drink. Yes, I was irritated by the mess, but it wasn't until he started splashing in the sticky brown liquid that I lost my cool! As Dr Pepper flew through the air, harsh words flew out my mouth. And the moment those words escaped my lips, shame covered me. I stood in the Continue Reading