 When they will speak Out Loud... What will they say? The children who speak with movements, expressions, noises, or silences? Not voices, sign language, nor writing? One thing I have noticed is that people often function around these children like their lack of language means they do not understand. The kids hear people:
I did respite care for a mom when I was 19. She is one of my heros. Her son, who had been injured by Meningitis, was able only to move his head, arms and make happy or sad sounds. He could chew, swallow, and laugh. She respected him like he DID understand. She spoke TO him, not ABOUT him. She made sure others did the same. She asked him questions and honored his head nods or shakes, argued with his fusses, and shared in his laughs. Fast forward to today. With modern technology and speech therapy, this (now adult) man helps his (now adult) sister make songs and requests tea, opera, or stylish sneakers.
Surely their speaking will humble my soul. It takes me quite a bit of verbal processing, asking people questions, journaling, and reflecting to grasp what people really mean or say things clearly. Some people take more time to sift what is heard and felt, then say profound responses. What if you heard it ALL, unfiltered, and had practically your whole life to think it through? What would you tell, say, or advise once your words could flow? I sometimes see these kids chattering away in dreams, and I sometimes daydream about their voices becoming freed in the great beyond. I also wonder what would happen if suddenly their lips were loosed tomorrow. When these kids speak loud and clear..
| ___Says it better than I can. |
