Walking In Memphis

Today was the day Micah went to be evaluated for an assistive communicative device. The day that took 3 months of phone calls to make happen. The day that I prayed for, cried over and stressed about.

My boy. The one that has my heart held in the palm of his dirty little hands. The one that loves nothing more than to yank my chain, jump on my last nerve, and snuggle with me at the end of the day as he drifts off to sleep. The boy that I love so deeply, so incredibly, so much more than I ever thought I could love anyone.

The boy that cannot talk, and yet has stories and songs and questions swirling around inside his beautiful blond head. The boy that has difficulty signing because of his poor fine motor skills. And yet he doesn't get frustrated with his lack of communication. How can I not do everything in my limited mom powers to help him tell me about his day? Or ask where Woody is? Or tell me how much he loves that song?

The boy that loves all things technical. The boy that can operate the DVD player, the VHS player, the CD player and TV. The boy that loves nothing more than to watch his siblings play computer games. I know that he'll rock the AAC device once he learns to use it. But the burning question remains: will he choose to use it, or will he decide that he wants nothing to do with it?

God, this is Your child. You created him to be exactly who he is. God, you knew that he'd still be nonverbal at the age of 5, and yet there are so many things that he could tell us. God, I just want to help him say these things, and I know that You must want this, too. Please, Lord. Please give him the ability and desire to use these devices. It could open up new worlds for him. And us. And Lord, I don't think it's selfish to want to hear my boy say that he loves me.


The therapist started out with books and toys. Micah was interested but it took him a while to grasp what she wanted him to do. He's just not so good at pointing to things that you want him to. I know he knows what a dog is, but he refuses to perform when asked. It's that simple. And that's exactly what he's gotta do in order to use an AAC device. It's all about pointing to pictures to communicate.

She introduced The Box. My heart was in my throat. Lord, this is where it counts. Give him the ability. Make him understand. All but 3 buttons were blocked so that he had a choice of reading a book, eating, or playing. And he got to do whatever he chose.

Micah reached out and pushed that he wanted to read a book. It was a fun button. He loves buttons. The therapist showed him the book she'd read with him earlier and he picked it up. She pushed the Read A Book button again to reinforce what he'd just asked for and gotten. Did he understand? Was this sinking in?

He paged through the book, then pushed the button to play. It went to a screen that allowed him to choose to play with trucks, a ball, or bubbles. He chose a ball. Did he know what he was doing? Was he just pushing buttons? Or was this just a fun game for him? The therapist got up, walked across the room, and came back with a ball.

How can I describe to you the look on our boy's face? How can I put into words the miracle that I witnessed? I saw a literal connection glowing from him and shining through his eyes. He knew! It clicked! He understood what he was doing and was communicating to us. Our boy. He asked for a ball. He pushed the "more" button each time before he threw it to one of us. All by himself without prompting. He went on to ask to eat, and chose pretzels. And ate happily, asking for more, using his box with words that spoke for him. When he was eating, he'd gently push his box to the side. When he needed more, he'd pull it front and center to ask again.

He got it.

Oh, my God. How can I thank You for allowing me to see this happen? How can I put into words the joy that is overflowing from every part of my being? My heart sings Your praise.


The therapist was shocked at the higher level of cognitive understanding he had than verbal skills. She has rarely seen this vast of a difference, she said. He definitely needs a device. And we've set in motion a miracle that will change our lives forever.




Hope deferred makes the heart sick: but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life. Proverbs 13:12

40 comments:

Wineplz said...

Words cannot adequately express how incredibly happy, excited, and relieved I am for you! I've got a wad of 4 or 5 tissues mopping up my face...tears of joy!

Flea said...

A tree of life. A tree of Life! Oh my word, Karen! I'm so excited for you all! Praise GOD!!!!

Pam said...

Oh Karen! Tears of joy are streaming down my face. Way to go Micah!! I can only imagine the overwhelming emotions you must have felt in that moment to see your precious son communicating! His world will change and he will be better able to share his wishes, hopes, desires, frustrations, etc. I'm so happy and praise God for blessing your family!

Cynthia said...

I am crying right now...what a wonderful thing for your whole family! I can't express how happy I am for you:)

the planet of janet said...

oh, karen!!!! that's all i have been able to say for a couple minutes... oh, karen!!!!!!!!!

micah truly is a miracle child.

Burgh Baby said...

While Micah has found his words, your post has left me without them. Just, wow!

Bluepaintred said...

there are not enough words in creation for me to let you know how freaking awesome this is!

wow.

Teresa said...

This is great news! I had chills on my arms as I read about his excitement, I could feel it (and I've never even met you guys!). One giant leap for mankind, I'd say. Way to go!

Michelle said...

Oh, Karen! I'm so thrilled for you. I can't believe it went that well. Having seen other children use the assistive devices, I've never seen anyone use them the way you're describing at that age (at 9, yes). That's incredible. And you were SO right! So what are the next steps? Does this mean the miracle puppy will go to nursing with mom now, too? :)

Anonymous said...

Oh, my goodness! I know how much you wanted this to work out. See! Prayer certainly are answered. God gave your son a voice. I'm ecstatic for you.

Momisodes said...

I am just overjoyed reading this. I am at a loss for words.

Hooray Micah! :)

Andrea said...

Girl I am jumping up and down for you!! I am smiling so big!! YEAH, Micha!! I am so excited for you both!! HOORAY!!!

CanadianMama said...

This is wonderful news! I could not be happier for you and Micah! Now maybe he will push the potty button?

shizzknits said...

I got tears in my eyes reading this post. Great news for you and Micah and your whole family!

Anonymous said...

AWESOME!!! I am so excited for you... and Micah.. I bet he was so excited to be able to communicate exactly what he wanted. What a life changing moment for both him and you.

Merry Christmas a few months early!!!

When will he be getting the device and will they let him use it at home?

Karen said...

What a blessing! Congratulations to all of you. After reading this, I made my husband read it. He asked me to tell you, he hopes you get to hear your little boy say I love you, soon.

Anonymous said...

OMG! I am so hoping you can get this device for Micah. He's amazing!

Gina said...

That is wonderful news! What an amazing difference it will make in all of your lives.

Becoming Mommy said...

That's wonderful.
I'm so happy for you!

Kidzmama said...

Oh Karen, what amazing news. I got goosebumps! We always knew Micah was brilliant. Know everyone will know.

I know your faiths and beliefs are an important part of your life, but please give yourself some credit for Micah's accomplishments. You have worked for this moment since he was born. You have never given up and have always seen the best in him. You have taught him so many things. You are an incredible mother. Congrats!

Madame Queen said...

Oh Karen. I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face I'm so happy for you. You KNEW he could do it and you were right. I'm so happy that this has happened for you and most importantly for Michah. YAYYYYY!!!!!!

AutoSysGene said...

Go Micah!!

Oh Karen, I can just hear the sense of awe and wonder in your voice. Y'all are truly so lucky to have one another!

I'm so glad all the hard work and diligence paid off and that now Micah has a way to communicate with you.

God is good, huh? :)

Trisha said...

YEAH!!!!! I am so thrilled and happy for all of you! It is so super that Micah made the connection so quickly and that the therapist said he needs the box! Of course, you knew he needed it but, isn't it great that the therapist saw in Micah all of the things you see in him!

Thank God!

Cecily R said...

Oh, Karen! Its 8:15 am and I really need to get the kids moving along to school and instead I'm sitting here all weepy. I am SO excited and happy for all of you! What an amazing testament to prayers being answered!

pb&j in a bowl said...

Yep- I just got chills. I'm so happy for what this means for all of you! God RAWKS!

imbeingheldhostage said...

Dangit, you've got me over here blubbering like an idiot. I am SO happy for you!! High Five Micah!!

Anonymous said...

Yay!Yay!Yay!..if my fat butt could do cartwheels for you guys I would..I prayed so hard things would work out today and at the least you would get answers from the doctors but instead you got a voice for your boy! You are an awesome mom and Micah is as blessed to have you as you are him!!

Anonymous said...

That is wonderful news! I'm all teary eyed!!

Aimee said...

Play Misty for me, Karen, because I am all verklempt! Oh yay and double yay, I am so stinking happy and excited for you!!!!

Just think of all the great things he'll say with his box :) Can't wait to hear more from him!

PS: And did you feel totally AWESOME when the therapist said that he had mad cognitive skillz!?! I would have been like, "Hells yeah, my kid is SMART!!!"

The Sports Mama said...

Oh Karen. I am beyond happy for you guys. And simply without words.

Debbie in CA : ) said...

. . . (*SOB!*) . . .


[Still on my knees ... still praying ... just donig it in a puddle of joyful tears!]

Anonymous said...

KAREN! I wish you could see the HUGE smile on my face and the goosebumps all over my arms and legs. I cannot tell you how thrilled I am, both for you and for Micah. I CAN'T wait to read about what he has to 'say' and to hear what wonderful strides he is making. YEAH!

Caution/Lisa said...

Thanks be to God and praise His gracious name!!

Leanne said...

I have chills. I'm thrilled for all of you. Actually, the whole post just chokes me up.

Congratulations! When does he actually GET the box?

I always knew from your posts he was smarter than smart too!

Michelle said...

This is the most wonderful news!! I'm so glad Micah showed them what he could do and what he knows! I can only imagine how awsome it was to see his face at the connection that was made, that he got his wants across, that someone understood him! Yay!! I'm so, so happy for you and especially Micah!

Debbie @ Three Weddings said...

How exciting! I'm so glad it went well. I met a young woman today with Down syndrome. She was so remarkable. I would love to have spoken to her for hours. Her speech was very clear. One day I pray we will be able to talk to our children the same way. Micah's story is so encouraging!

just jamie said...

(Sigh...) (Sniff...)

Wow. Just, wow.

caramama said...

Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! THIS IS AWESOME!!!

Karen, I'm so glad that he got it and it looks like it will work for him! I'm so thrilled for you guys! Way to go, Mama, for making all those calls and looking into this!

Anonymous said...

Karen - we are witness to miracles everyday....but often times forget to look for them! Isn't it amazing when God allows us to witness something like the miracle of Micah! And, you do realize, don't you, what an amazing talent you have for writing. I so enjoyed reading your story! Love to all!

Shellie said...

Now I"m crying! Thank God and the perseverance of a momma! Yipeeeee!!!!!