My Dalai Daniel could hardly say more than a few words. When he was 2 years old, I knew something was off. I could see the wheels turning, but his brain and his mouth were not working together. He would get so frustrated, it just broke my heart.
Finally, shortly after his second birthday, I decided to have him evaluated at The Children’s SPOT (Speach, Physical, Occupational, Therapy), an incredible therapeutic center affiliated with St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri.
Right away, our speech therapist could tell Dalai D was delayed. At two, he could only say a dozen words or so, and only his dad or I could understand him. He was diagnosed with speech apraxia and his weekly therapy sessions began.
I remember being so excited for him when he finally mastered a sound. Just a sound! Now this kid is getting hot sauce in his mouth for swearing! (which I just heard on NPR is a form of child abuse-and I thought I was doing right by him avoiding toxic soap chemicals) Now, I have to tell this kid to BE QUIET.
We owe Daniel’s success to the amazing care he got at the SPOT. He still gets evaluated every year to make sure he continues to develop appropriately. I am so grateful that the therapists there are keeping track of him!
The Children’s Spot does much more than speech therapy. It was very humbling to walk into the center each week and see the wide range of children with disabilities seeking therapy there. I felt so blessed that speech was our only problem to tackle.
Each year, the Once Upon a Time event raises money to support families who are on Medicaid, have no insurance or have insurance that doesn’t cover developmental therapy. So far, the SPOT has distributed over $1.1 million dollars to families in need. This years event is March 6th, from 3-6 at the Downtown Marriott Muehlebach Tower.
The event is family friendly, with games, music and activities for the kids. If you are interested in attending or want to learn more, check out their website: www.saintlukesgiving.org/onceuponatime
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