Adler’s Voice ~ Giving Every Child the Voice They Deserve

It is assumed that all people can communicate in some form.  But, sadly, this is not the case.  Many of the children in our community, either due to physical, neurological or intellectual limitations - or a combination of some or all of these, cannot expressively communicate.   These children will have to overcome seemingly insurmountable hurdles to achieve what the rest of us instinctively have.  A voice.  Without that voice they can’t integrate into society.  They can’t ask for help when it’s needed, request food when they are hungry, seek shelter if they are homeless or safety if they are a victim of abuse.  They can’t tell a doctor what they are feeling when they are ill, or expressively convey love, joy, fear, sadness, or pain.  Without a voice they have no identity.  A voice is so much more than just communicating basic needs for survival.  It’s what makes us each individuals.  It gives us independence, provides validation, derives power, gives us control over our environment, and integrates us all into society. 

My name is Stephanie Utzman. In 2003 my son Adler was born 7 weeks premature with a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy. In an instant my dreams of what he could become turned to nightmares of the unknown… of what he may never achieve. After nearly eight years of intense physical, occupational and speech therapy and countless surgeries, Adler has made amazing progress meeting milestones many of his doctors and therapists said would never be reached.  However, one milestone he still hasn’t met is expressive communication. Adler also has Apraxia of Speech, a motor speech disorder which causes significant speech delays. Until very recently, all his expressions were a variation of ‘uh.’  As a parent it is heartbreaking and agonizing to watch your child struggle to express himself; unable to communicate even his most basic needs and feelings - hunger, pain, fear, joy – let alone express desires or preferences. I have never experienced the joy of hearing ‘mama' for the first time, or ‘I love you.’ I’ve never
been able to talk to him about what he did in school or what he wants for Christmas. He can’t tell me where it hurts or how he’s feeling. But my darkest fear is of Adler becoming a victim of abuse. He would suffer in silence, unable to ask for help. This anguish has been exacerbated by the endless battles against the healthcare system, educational institutions, government programs and even medical professionals whom do not share the same belief as I: that Adler (along with EVERY child, regardless of diagnosis, intellect or ability) should have access to one of the most basic human rights: speech… in whatever form it may come.  Couple this problem with the expense of acquiring a specialized device or communication system and I, as are many families, am left feeling helpless and defeated.

After looking into private grant programs and being frustrated by both eligibility restrictions (must have a specific diagnosis to qualify), or restrictions on what the grant funds can be used for, I came up with the idea of Adler's Voice. The mission of Adler’s Voice is to help other families of a child with ANY disability that has significant speech challenges obtain the resources, medical and therapeutic treatments, assistive technology, educational resources, etc. their child needs to acquire expressive communication. This includes, but is not limited to:

Sign language materials and instruction
Speech therapy
Picture boards
Letter boards
Symbols
Augmentative and alternative communication devices
Alternative ways to use a regular computer for talking, writing or learning

To be placed on a waiting list to receive an application for an Adler’s Voice Grant, please call us at (541) 548-8559, or email Stephanie Utzman, Adler’s Voice Program Director at stephanie@codsn.org.

Please Help Us Help These Children
Adler’s Voice would love to be able to help every applicant that meets our eligibility criteria.  But we cannot do it alone. Your generous contributions to the Adler’s Voice Program will help make this dream a reality.  Donations can be mailed to CODSN / Adler’s Voice Program, 6390 SW Nighthawk Ave, Redmond, OR 97756.  If you would like information on becoming a corporate sponsor of Adler’s Voice please contact us at 541-548-8559.