Apraxia Awareness Day . 2013

Tuesday, May 14th is the first annual Apraxia Awareness Day.

As you know, Apraxia affects our family greatly.  As this day approaches, many of the pages I "like" on Facebook are a buzz about the day.  Getting it signed into official congressional record.  Attempting to get each state to recognize the day.  Selling awareness items - clothing, jewelry, mugs, hats.

Yet, I feel conflicted.  

I want the world to understand Apraxia.  I want to stop receiving the hurtful comment of "See, if you would have just been patient, Ryder would have eventually talked.  It just takes time".  IT DOES NOT JUST TAKE TIME.  It has taken over 4,000 minutes.  FOUR THOUSAND MINUTES. of Early Intervention, Speech Therapy privately and at Preschool.  And, countless minutes more of practice at home.  It has consumed our thoughts, our routines, our activities at times.  It is always in the back of our mind.

I do not want Apraxia to define our son.

Our church is currently studying James.  At a recent Home Group (small group Bible Study), we talked about trials we have faced, and how it has affected our faith.  Apraxia is not my own struggle, but dealing with it is.  I am thankful that as Harvick & Jarrett stand at the start line of their own speech journey we can have hope, seeing the example of their big brother.  At the initial diagnosis, we were told Ryder would not reach developmentally appropriate (verbal) milestones until early Elementary.  He has defied the initial prognosis.  He truly encapsulates the word resilient   He has worked tirelessly to increase his verbal expression.  And, he now joins Patrick & I to help his brothers.

Harvick & Jarrett are working with Early Intervention, and Patrick & I have made the decision to start them in private therapy with Ryder's amazing SLP.

We will beat this thing.

The Childhood Apraxia of Speech Association of North America (CASANA) is encouraging people to wear blue & white on Tuesday, May 14th to bring awareness to Apraxia.  We'd love for you to join or family in this show of support.

We will beat this thing.

Inspired by many others on Facebook, I created this cover photo to encourage others to join us on May 14th.
How perfect is it that the boys are wearing blue & white in the photo?!

One-step-at-a-time.