Speech

Not eating and not talking is very depressing especially because I spent the first 21 years of my life doing so.  In fact, doing A LOT of both those things.  I never dreamt it would be this hard to lose.  It always just came naturally, like everything else in this relatively simple world.  Take it from me, don’t take even the simple things in life for granted. 

It really worries me that my epiglottis doesn’t close over my windpipe.  If we can’t figure that out, then my eating is a lost cause.  If that’s the case then I will be eternally lost and depressed.  But surely God won’t abandon me like that. 

So, I started the Baylor Speech Program last week.  I go four days a week for an hour and fifteen minutes each time.  I gotta say, this program is pretty legit.  Having to do all this to talk and eat again is long and grueling, but this I promise you, I will never give up. 

My speech therapist is cool.  I have to do a lot of breathing exercises.  I never realized what all is involved when you talk and swallow.  The Baylor people seemed surprised and optimistic that I can already make sounds.  I am working on “hi” and “mom”.  Take it from someone who knows from trial and error that not everything is as easy as it seems.  BUT I look at it this way, if you’re not ready to get up and take on new challenges, then it’s simple, don’t get up! 

 As we set out on this journey of my story ~ me learning to talk and eat again ~ let’s just make sure we are completely ready for the winding path ahead:  check off the buckled boots and after that we can pretty much just go and figure it all out as we go.  I do wanna thank everyone who has been praying for me. 

My first day at Baylor...

 I had a bit of an entourage

that first day...

 Of course the Storm showed up...

 Another day at speech...

 DURING therapy...

 Today with Hunter before speech...