One year ago, almost to the day, I found myself sitting in an unfamiliar room, with unfamiliar teachers, talking about an unfamiliar thing. . . sending my almost three year old to a disabled preschool. I was working on coming to terms with that word. He was going through test after frustrating test, trying to get to the bottom of his speech disorder. At 3 years old, I was trying to convince these new teachers that yes, he only said about 7 words and well, even that may be a stretch since only I understood them. They told me he would qualify to attend this new school 4 days a week, for 3 1/2 hours each day, riding the bus to and from. He was so little and I wasn't sure I was ready to let him go for all that time. We had to set goals for him to work towards for that first year, one of which was that he would work up to a 30 word vocabulary. I remember blinking back tears and thinking that it would take some sort of miracle to achieve such a simple goal.
Fast forward to today. . . just one year later. I was back in this same room, now very familiar, with teachers that I have grown to love because of their love for my child. We went over the initial goals set and I heard the words, "caught up to the level of a normal 4 year old." In that moment I realized that there was a time, not all that long ago, when I thought I would never hear such a thing.
Such a simple thing: speech. Something taken for granted when babies turn a certain age and pass through all of those talking milestones. Something desperately missed when it doesn't happen.
Today I am so grateful. Grateful for such a miracle to occur in our little world. Grateful to hear the thoughts in my little boys mind. To hear what he wants for Christmas. To hear him pray at night. Little things that I will not take for granted any time soon.
8 comments:
It is wonderful how far he has come. If you are like me, you probably wish you couldn't understand some of the things that come out of his mouth. Unfortunately, those are the things kids say the most clearly. Congratulations on the huge milestone!
Congratulations Miles- we think you're such a awesome little guy and we're so happy and proud of all that you accomplished this last year. We love Miles any way he comes 2 words or 2000! Congratulations to you to Katie,for being the kind of mother who is willing to do anything for her child ho matter how hard it is for you. We love you guys very much1
Just about crying right now. I know what you're saying about the miracle. We've come a long way with #2, but still waiting for, "reached the level of a normal 4 year old." I'm still at the point where I think it will take a miracle to make that happen. Reading your post gives me hope. Congratulations to Miles (and mom!).
I think I am a little too emotional lately, but yes I am crying. Congratulations Miles! Katie you are such a good mom.
Geez Kate, thanks for making me cry! You are so sweet and so is Miles. You have both come so far. You should be so proud! I know I am proud of you both. :)
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Katie
That is great that Miles has come this far! I work in SPED and I constantly work with speech pathologists. It's great to see improvement! I personally know its hard to have a speech problem because I had one for about 6 years of my life. Now,probably know one would even know that I had a speech disorder. I am glad your son is doing well! I need to see you sometime! Do you ever come down here? Hope all is well!
I am so happy for you both!! Tag talked late and we had a speech therapist come to our house a couple times a month, and I would hear 1 year olds saying more than my 2 year old, so I kinda know how you feel. It was crazy within a couple of weeks he just started talking!! I am so glad he is caught up and now he probably doesn't stop talking!!
Oh that just made me cry! How awesome he is and you're right, we do take for granted those little things way too often...Way to go Miles!!!!
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