Jessica’s Journey: One Life Changed By Faith

One of the greatest joys

A parent experiences is when their child says their first words. We often hear parents discussing this important milestone, but we seldom hear stories about parents of children who struggle to communicate. One such child was Jessica Blise, whose parents were told that due to her cognitive disability, she would never learn to speak. Yet, her parents never lost faith and trusted in God’s plan.

A Mother’s Intuition

Jessica was a happy and healthy child. At two years old, her mother, Diane, felt concerned that she was not speaking and took her to her pediatrician. The pediatrician told Diane that Jessica’s receptive speech and language were at an age-appropriate level and that her verbal speech would develop over time. Yet, Diane knew that without intervention, Jessica’s verbal speech would not improve with time. About six months later, Diane took Jessica to be professionally evaluated, and they determined that she was, in fact, delayed in speech.

A Long Road but a Beautiful Journey

After it was determined Jessica was delayed in speech, her parents enrolled her in speech, occupational, and physical therapy and, at the age of three, in an early childhood program. When she began treatment, she was only able to communicate a small amount non-verbally with her parents. At speech therapy, they initially focused on teaching Jessica sign language, which proved difficult for her to learn.

This realization helped lead professionals to a more formal diagnosis of Jessica’s condition, which was developmental verbal and motor apraxia. This condition makes it difficult for an individual to say sounds, syllables, and words because the brain has difficulties planning and coordinating motor movements using the mouth, lips, jaw, tongue, and hands, which are necessary for verbal and nonverbal communication. With this new understanding of Jessica’s disability, her parents began to purchase items that complemented her speech therapy and incorporated them into her home life. These items included learning assistive devices that her parents consciously integrated into everyday activities that helped her practice speech and expand her vocabulary outside therapy.

Jessica was also enrolled in a speech program, Fast ForWord, a computer-based reading program designed to help individuals with reading or learning difficulties. This program helped Jessica improve her memory, attention, processing, and sequencing—skills necessary for speaking and reading.

When Jessica was between the ages of 3½ and 4 years old, the fire department visited her early childhood program. To pique the children’s interest, a firefighter put on his mask and other gear. The mask scared Jessica, and she exclaimed, “I want my mom!” Her sudden speech and ability to sequence multiple words shocked the teachers. They hurriedly called Diane and told her about their first time hearing Jessica express a need and her needs known. Jessica’s parents were encouraged to hear this excellent report and were excited to see what other milestones she would accomplish in the future. They continued to reinforce the information learned in speech therapy with Jessica while at home, and little by little, she began to talk more and improve her ability to communicate.

Today, Jessica can communicate as effectively as her peers at Shepherds College®. She excelled in the Culinary Arts program and was given the Cayton Family Christian Leadership Award and the Justin Duran Weyns Character Award at her graduation ceremony. Both awards are of high distinction at Shepherds College and show how far Jessica has come to achieve her goal of Appropriate Independence.

Upon receiving these awards, Jessica was offered a Culinary Arts Assistant position at Shepherds College, where she will grow her professional career and continue to be a light to others.

Advice for Parents in Similar Situations

Jessica’s parents, guided by their unwavering faith in God, trusted Him throughout their whole journey, navigating Jessica’s disability and witnessing her growth in independence. They explained that this journey, rooted in faith, helped them be patient and empathetic toward others in similar situations, trusting that God is in control and knowing He has a perfect plan for them and Jessica.

Their advice to parents in similar situations is to provide as much support as possible to reinforce what is learned at therapy. Specifically, they suggest taking the skills the child learns in therapy and practicing them consistently and repetitively at home every day in a fun and engaging way for the child.

Above all, they recommend reflecting daily on Matthew 19:26, which states, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (NIV).