Little girls giggles and high pitched squeals. These were the sounds our days were made of …
Oh how I wanted her voice to be the soundtrack of my life, but it wasn’t happening. Why isn’t she talking? Is this normal? I have two teenagers and can’t remember what is normal. Is it because she’s our third child? Why isn’t our bribery and insistance working??
“Oh don’t worry, she’ll talk.” “Einstein didn’t talk until he was 5.” “Just wait ’til she won’t stop talking! Then you’ll be thankful for these days.”
Their words were meant to be encouraging. And sometimes they helped to stretch our patience as we waited for our little girl to say simple yet precious words like “Daddy” and “bye-bye”.
In October 2009, we adopted Aster from Ethiopia. In August 2011, as she was heading toward her 3-year-old birthday, Aster was diagnosed with a severe speech disorder called Apraxia.
In the midst my deep sorrow over my fathers’s death, the joy of my book release and the heart-shattering shock about my little girl, all I wanted to hear was the soothing sound of my daughter’s precious little voice.
But Aster could barely say five words, and those were very hard to understand. It was determined that she could understand almost everything, but Aster’s mental planning paths weren’t connecting between her brain and her mouth, and no one knew why.
We’ve scheduled countless assessments, a brain MRI, hearing tests and more. And now after 10 months of speech therapy two times each week, we are celebrating an amazing milestone. Look how far God has brought our sweet and beautiful girl!
Although Aster still has days where she hardly says a thing, when she is chatty, she can say at least 50 words now! And her whole alphabet. She is super excited about her newest accomplishment – she can count up to 10!
We are so proud of how hard our girl is working that smart mind of hers, creating paths in her brain and building weak muscles in her mouth. And we’re over the top thankful for each little step of progress she makes. If you’d like to see just how far she’s come, the first time she EVER talked on camera was March 4, 2012. Here is that video:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”– 1 Corinthians 2:9
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Renee I have followed you through Proverbs 31 blog for a over a year but somehow missed this one until a friend sent me the link. My 6 year old son has apraxia (diagnosed at 2 1/2). He has made great progress. He is in kindergarten and I’m completely overwhelmed by God’s provision for his voice. Although he still struggles verbally, he is reading above grade level and interacting with his peers very well. This past year, my son prayed aloud for God to help him with his words. Amazingly, his words and sentences have dramatically increased since that night. I believe God wanted him to express his need for God so that he will always recognize and proclaim God as his Healer. I will be praying for your sweet Aster to remain confident and God’s healing power to be apparent daily. Thank you so much for sharing!
Renee I heard your story on KLOVE. I had to share a little of our story with you. I heard all of the same things, “she’ll talk when she’s ready” “once she starts talking you’ll wish she hadn’t.” My daughter Layla was diagnosed with Apraxia of speech when she was 2 1/2. I was devastated. I simply didn’t know where to start or what that would mean for my beautiful little girl. After two years of speech therapy twice a week, we are getting 5 -6 word sentences!! Our therapist has even suggested that we cut down to one day/week. I never tire of hearing the beautiful sound of her voice. We worked so hard to get here and still have a way to go but I thank God for the progress she’s made and that I’ve been here to help her along the way.
I heard on KLove the other day you talk about telling a friend about your daughter having apraxia. My daughter has it also and only through God’s strength and love and the wonder people that he has sent to us she is talking today. I am so thankful that she is talking as much as she is and has made so much progress. While we still have our daily struggles with her speech I have come to realize that we will make it through it. Your family is in my prayers and I wish you all the best. Thank you for talking about this I didn’t know anybody with this at the time when I was told my daughter has apraxia. All I could think was oh God what do I do, will she be ok, what is going to happen with us and how will we help her through this, did I do something to cause this, and was always asking myselp what if I did this or did that would it change the fact that she has this. We got in contack with a program called STRIDE and they have been wonderful with her and with me. Teaching me how to think about what we do when we talk and how our mouths move and where the sound comes from. God has put a wonderful group of people in our lives.
Just heard today on Klove, Renee speak about her daughter being diagnosed with Apraxia. My son was diagnosed with that when we was 3 1/2. With lots of prayers and speech therapy, he was able to overcome this and now at 29 he holds a doctorate degree in Education. His job is speaking to people all day long, and Praise God he is good at it!!!!!! Never doubt that thru man some things are impossible, but with God all things are possible.!
I was literally stopped in my tracks today when I heard Proverbs 31 on the radio today. My daughter will be 4 next week and was diagnosed with Apraxia of Speech a few months back. Prior to her diagnosis, I had never heard of Apraxia. It has taken a while for it to settle in. At times I firmly believe in God’s plan for my child and at times I ache for my daughter to chat with me about her day, her interests, and imagination. I have heard parents many times telling their kids to quiet down because they are annoyed with all of their chattering and I sit there and wish that for my daughter could talk like they do for at least 5 minutes. She is my only child and it is very overwhelming to handle the therapies, the school, and the home. My husband works evenings and so it makes me feel more pressured and isolated. I am extremely joyous whenever my daughter learns to say a word or an approximation of a word without cues. I know God has a plan and a purpose but sometimes, I just need a little more tangible help and reassurance. I just pray that God continues to guide me and give me the wisdom to raise my beautiful daughter to be what God created her to be.
Renee –
Thank you for sharing. I just heard you on Klove this morning and your story about your daughter. My son was diagnosed with Apraxia in Dec. 2010/confirmed it in Jan 2011. As I read your blog post, it was all my thoughts and emotions right there. Thank you for sharing. He is 4 now and talking beautifully. After 4 days a week/30 min/day of therapy, we have seen much improvement. My daughter is turning 2 next month and is presenting with the same symptoms my son had and our therapist that sees her (which is who diagnosed Jayden) is thinking we’re headed down the same road.
I thought since I had one child that was already diagnosed, that the second time around I’d be prepared and it’d be easier and IT IS NOT. I’m having the same emotions all over again. I saw your 1 Corinthians 2:9 and I know that verse but seeing it in your blog made it all the more different that I want my babies to know just as Jeremiah 29:11 states – He has plans for my beautiful babies and I will be there voice until they can find it themselves and shout from the rooftops.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU for sharing.
It isn’t too often you hear the word apraxia come across on a radio station.
Hi Ashley, thank you so much for taking time to leave a note. I have heard back from so many women after that radio show. I am amazed by how God is using our story to connect with others and pray that He will give me ways to encourage you – one of our listeners through my shows and blog posts in the future. Im praying about how this new season of life and ministry need to look. As you know, it’s very time consuming to walk with your child down this road but OH SO WORTH every minute of it!!
I am SO encouraged to hear your son is going so well.I can’t even tell you how good that is for my heart to hear!!! I may email you to connect about it more.
Praying for your daughter too. And for you as you walk through the emotions and exhaustion of it all – praying for peace, comfort, strength, courage and confidence in HIM each step of the way!!! You are equipped for all that HE has for you. He will give you all you need!!
Thanks and blessings!! ~Renee
I heard your story on KLove the other day and wanted to share encouragement. When one of our boys was 3 and first went to speech therapy, he could not even say his vowel sounds. The therapist, after several sessions, suggested that she should request an electronic communicator for him – she didn’t think he would ever speak regularly. We heard of several testimonnies about a product called Coromega and started him on it twice a day. After two weeks, the therapist noticed a marked difference (we had not told her that we were doing anything differently). When working with him on new words, it was like we were “programming” the word in his brain – we would work through the sound sequences several times until he could speak it fluently. Then, on to the next word. Many prayers and years (and worries – even though I knew I shouldn’t), God has worked amazing things in his life. He is now in 7th grade and has been out of speech therapy since the end of 4th grade. No one meeting him today would ever guess all of the struggles and fears we faced as we took the journey day by day. I thank the Lord often, for the blessing and encouragement He provided during the struggles and uncertainties. He continued to prompt me to write this to you (that persistent, still, small voice of His!). I hope this helps in some way…
Hi Renee, I was listening to the radio today and i heard your message from the proverbs 31 ministries about your daughter having apraxia. Can i just tell you that it BLESSED my heart to hear that. You see i have a son who is 6 years old and he has severe apraxia… he only has 3 words. He is an intelligent loving little boy that just does not have the ability to communicate verbally. It was so encouraging to me to hear that another mom has the same struggles as i do. Our children ae so precious, but it is good to know that i am understood! Thank you for sharing and opening up about your life!
God bless!
Have you considered American Sign Language? It is a vibrant, beautiful, expressive language that can enable your daughter to communicate fully despite her difficulty speaking. Some people are afraid that teaching their hearing children sign language will impede their speech development, but I have personally witnessed children who were better able to develop speech after the pressure to communicate effectively was alleviated through the use of ASL. Even if your family adopts only very basic signs, she will be able to communicate her needs and have the confidence boost of being “heard” and responded to despite difficulty speaking. Just a thought 🙂
I’ve seen your name a few time, read you on Roomag but this is my first stop to your online home 🙂 I didn’t realize you adopted from Ethiopia. I traveled there about 18 months ago and feel in love with the country and people. So neat that you adopted!
Renee, I wish you would help me. Please explain just what “failing forward” means. Thank you.
Renee
Oh my word, the video is the sweetest thing ever. I have cried and cried over it. I am so proud of her accomplishments. What a joy to watch this little girl grow, from the baby that you brought home to be your own!
I see God working daily in our lives. What a blessing Aster is, and thank you for sharing, this brightened my evening and brought hope into my heart and for most to front of my mind. Miracles, healing and forgiveness are all of the Lord’s hand and of Him working our lives. Praise the Lord and may Aster be an inspiration to others who are having difficult times. God Bless w Love
So precious! Thank you for sharing!
She is amazing I can see the love of God all over her! This video made my heart smile thank you so much for sharing your story and beautiful daughter with us! I love you both!
this blessed my heart so much. What a sweet, smart, wonderful girl with an amazing momma! Thank you for sharing.
Prayed that Aster is able to share her heart with her mama. Nice name, Aster I like that. God is the best Healer and His creation of the human body is so miraculous. May you and Aster continue to see His grace and mercy and healing.
Excellent, Renee! She’s gonna come thru, in Jesus name!
Renee, you have a beautiful daughter. Thank you so much for sharing that story with us. It truly touched my heart. I praying that God will continue working through you to her. Aster is truly a blessing and you are a wonderful mom. May God continue to bless you and your family. I too love the study and your book.
Renee, I am so thankful that your daughter is doing so well. God has a huge plan for your daughter and you are so blessed to have her in your life..Renee, I am loving the study and your book has been so awesome..
Unfortunately my sound isn’t working this morning, but the joy and excitement on both of your faces speaks volumes!!
God is good!!
WOW! I am amazed. Your little girl really loves you and she knows that she is loved! What security there is in love. I pray that I have shown my little girl love and grace. Grace is so needed with love. Thank you for allowing me into your family for a loving moment. You are a wonderful woman of God and mother. Thank you a million times over for never giving up! August Rose
God bless you Renee
Renee,
Thank you for sharing your life and your family with us. Aster is such a beautiful little girl and I believe God has an extraordinary plan for her life. “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”– 1 Cor. 2:9. This scripture really tugged at my heart as I read and watched you and Aster. I could see the love and the joy in both your eyes as she said her first words. What a precious gift! How Great is Our God! To Him Be the Glory!
Lakeeia
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!! Aster your such a smart baby girl! Proud mommy! she is super precious! Thank you for sharing!
Aloha from Hawaii xoxoxox
So sweet. 🙂 God has a special plan for her life. 🙂 I hope to have an happy family as you do Renee. So precious!
I was so blessed by you sweet Aster! You are one beautiful and wonderfully made princess and Child of God. You are doing so awesome and to see what all you can do made me cry my eyes out! Keep up the great work and know that you are special and so many love you already! God bless and thank you for making my day so much brighter! Love and God bless you sweet girl 🙂
renee, you really are an awesome mom. your family is so perfect. God will make Aster perfect too.
blessings,
anna
Blessings, Renee God knows you are an excellent mom, friend and sister who is doing His will, thank you for sharing your book, your life, your time and you home with us. It’s been a pleasure doing this study with you (even thou I’m a bit behind) I pray that God may continue opening doors for you and your family always, this reminds me of Mark 7: 31-36 (please read) if we place our trust in Jesus to do His Fathers will all things is possible Amen God Bless
That was so heart warming seeing your beautiful little girl Aster having fun forming words. So lovely too that you shared some of your everyday life together. God bless you all richly and increase all you do and say to bless others. Thankyou and look forward to more of the final chapters of your book next week.