Supporting Community Through Speech and Language Services

Resources are essential for communities to thrive.  Period.  Now let me share with you my learnings this week on how essential.

Monday morning I sat down to see if I had received any feedback about the therapy I would be offering.  Soon, it became crystal clear to me how meaningful these services are in every community.  As I began reading the emails and comments that were a result of the post, my eyes were soon filled with tears as realized how the lack of services was negatively impacting children, their families, and as a result, our entire community; a community that I cherish greatly.  I received messages from families that were driving over two hours for evaluations and some that were making trips once a week for therapy until their child reached school-age.  One family even shared that the lack of resources in the area was a primary reason for not living there.

Being a speech therapist I recognize the importance of the services I give as well as the occupations I work closely with (occupational therapy, social work, etc.).  That being said, I know now that I didn't fully realize how large their impact can be on an entire community until I offered them to an area that had none outside of the school setting.

One service, business, or act may seem small to you, but let's take a house for example, you go without fixing the door that won't close, no big deal right?  Well then you pick up another shift at work, the toilet starts to leak, the shingles blow off the roof, the window glass cracks, etc. and all of a sudden the house has been deemed "let go," and it all hits you in one, big moment.  This is an example of how small acts can lead to one big event and it's one people can relate to or imagine; aka the "snowball effect."

I'd like you to think of how this works in a community where resources (outside of the school) such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, social work, etc. are limited or absent.  How do they impact our children?  How does this further affect our families?  What happens to the community when our children and families are not supported in the most basic areas such as communication, movement, strength, emotional stability, etc.?  Where is there room for innovation and growth when these basic needs are not addressed?

Now, ask yourself the question, "What makes a community strong?"  What is the backbone of a community?  Is it the businesses or the schools?  Is it how nice the sidewalks look or how clean the public bathrooms are?  Sure, these are important factors, but the true source of greatness and excellence of a town, city, nation, etc. is very simple; the PEOPLE.  We are what make a community thrive.

The importance of having individuals who have good communication, social skills, and coping mechanisms for stress and emotional turbulence that life throws at us is fundamental for success.  I challenge you to see the basic needs of people that are sometimes discounted as "small" as the actual building blocks for relationships and flourishing communities.  I can assure you that my perspective has forever been changed and I am thankful to the families who have reached out and enlightened me thus far.

You are important and I cannot wait to continue the journey.


All the love,
Michelle