Graduating From Speech Therapy

It's still somewhat hard for me to believe, but Daniel will be graduating from speech therapy on July 27th. He will continue OT and PT for quite a while yet, but this is a major step in our journey. When his speech therapist first told me she was almost ready to discharge him, I had a hard time with the thought of him not being in speech therapy. After all, he's had speech therapy for over 4 years; it's become a way of life for us.

As I thought and prayed about the transition, it started to make sense. Not only that, but it will allow him to be in school for another hour before I have to pick him up for OT and PT. I'm hoping to get those therapies changed to different times, but for now, we'll stick with the current schedule - Tuesday afternoons from 2 to 4 pm.

I am once amazed by God's goodness and His faithfulness in Daniel's life. When we first started therapy and visiting pediatric specialists, the things I was told were not good. I envisioned Daniel in therapy for the rest of his life, and I also saw him never attending a "regular" school. Additionally, I figured that we'd have to support him, and that Josh and Annie would have to "look out for" him throughout his adult life. I've come to realize that I was completely wrong, and many of the medical professionals who painted the worst picture possible were also very wrong.

God is bigger than any diagnosis or disability. He holds Daniel's life in His hands, and He has a purpose and a plan that is greater than we could ever imagine. And I get the amazing privilege of watching Him work in Daniel's life. That truly is the best part - seeing His handiwork in my son's life every day. This journey is not easy, but I am blessed to be a part of God's plan, and I wouldn't trade it for anything.

The date of his last therapy session is very significant to me. My mom was my best friend, and that's her birthday. I wish she were here to see how far he's come in such a short time. He still remembers her, and he talks about her often. How wonderful it would be if she could hear those sweet words that we waited so long to hear!