21 Feb Only a Teenager – by Ava Walker
When I was two years old, my parents caught onto the fact that I couldn’t speak when most of my peers were saying simple words. They thought I would just talk late. But when I turned three, and I still couldn’t speak, they got concerned.
Thirteen years ago, there weren’t any speech clinics in Vermont, so the best solution was going to Massachusetts – driving four hours, for speech therapy five times a week. My family was told I had severe apraxia and that I may never be able to read, do math, or speak without using a board. Now, I’m currently enrolled in 2 AP math classes, and about to start a college English class as a junior in high school.
Slowly, I gained my voice, and less than a year later, I was Toto in the Wizard of Oz at my local opera house. For years following, I was in every theatrical production in my county. Because no one believed I could talk. Now, 13 years after my diagnosis of apraxia, I compete for Miss Vermont’s Teen in the Miss America Organization. My Community Service Initiative, or my platform, is “Finding My Voice, My Journey Through Apraxia of Speech.”
I participated in Apraxia Kids 2024 Walk for Apraxia in October and met such wonderful students and professors from the University of Vermont. There, I talked about my journey with Apraxia, the Miss Vermont Organization, and my HerStory – my speech that I wrote about Apraxia for all to hear on the Miss Vermont stage. I also work with the Special Olympics, which is such a great organization for teenagers to be a part of.
To all families out there, I am only a teenager, but I know how hard it can be to have a child with a speech disability. But children with disabilities are THE STRONGEST children I know. I fought the battle of apraxia for 4 years. It can be exhausting and gut-wrenching to see your child not be able to communicate with their peers like “normal.” But I know, you and your Apraxia star are wanting the same thing; find their voice. Your stars appreciate you so much, although they can’t tell you verbally, they love you. Believe that. I’m currently in 3 Advanced Placement courses, and about to start a college class. And the hardest work I ever put into learning is finding my voice.
Apraxia Kids is such an amazing organization, and I hope with my year in the Miss Vermont Organization, I can partner with Apraxia Kids soon.
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When I was two years old, my parents caught onto the fact that I couldn’t speak when most of my peers were saying simple words. They thought I would just talk late. But when I turned three, and I still couldn’t speak, they got concerned.
Thirteen years ago, there weren’t any speech clinics in Vermont, so the best solution was going to Massachusetts – driving four hours, for speech therapy five times a week. My family was told I had severe apraxia and that I may never be able to read, do math, or speak without using a board. Now, I’m currently enrolled in 2 AP math classes, and about to start a college English class as a junior in high school.
Slowly, I gained my voice, and less than a year later, I was Toto in the Wizard of Oz at my local opera house. For years following, I was in every theatrical production in my county. Because no one believed I could talk. Now, 13 years after my diagnosis of apraxia, I compete for Miss Vermont’s Teen in the Miss America Organization. My Community Service Initiative, or my platform, is “Finding My Voice, My Journey Through Apraxia of Speech.”
I participated in Apraxia Kids 2024 Walk for Apraxia in October and met such wonderful students and professors from the University of Vermont. There, I talked about my journey with Apraxia, the Miss Vermont Organization, and my HerStory – my speech that I wrote about Apraxia for all to hear on the Miss Vermont stage. I also work with the Special Olympics, which is such a great organization for teenagers to be a part of.
To all families out there, I am only a teenager, but I know how hard it can be to have a child with a speech disability. But children with disabilities are THE STRONGEST children I know. I fought the battle of apraxia for 4 years. It can be exhausting and gut-wrenching to see your child not be able to communicate with their peers like “normal.” But I know, you and your Apraxia star are wanting the same thing; find their voice. Your stars appreciate you so much, although they can’t tell you verbally, they love you. Believe that. I’m currently in 3 Advanced Placement courses, and about to start a college class. And the hardest work I ever put into learning is finding my voice.
Apraxia Kids is such an amazing organization, and I hope with my year in the Miss Vermont Organization, I can partner with Apraxia Kids soon.
Be inspired by more stories today and learn about how you can Give Hope!
Visit, FIND HOPE, GIVE HOPE
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