Several of you have left comments or emailed regarding Christin's struggle with stuttering, thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. I just wanted to give a little update tonight...she is doing all right. A week or two ago, I thought it was getting better, but now the past couple of days she's had more struggles again.
The strange part is that when she is playing with the other girls, interacting naturally with them, reciting books along with me as I read them, or reciting her memory verses, she does just fine, no problems at all.
But, when she wants to ask a question or is "put on the spot" in some way she often has trouble getting started. Lately it has been an airflow issue; instead of the air flowing naturally it builds up behind her lips or in her throat in a way similar to what we would do intentionally if blowing up a balloon.
I've been thankful, though, that it doesn't seem to bother her as much as it once did. She usually patiently perseveres, tries again, and finally gets out what she wants to say. We have been careful to get down on her eye level, look right at her patiently, and simply wait for her to make her meaning clear and then answer normally. I am very thankful that she isn't crying about it anymore. We do hope she'll be continuing to make progress, trusting the Lord for His good plan even in this "small" circumstance.
Related to this, we recently watched "The King's Speech." It was an excellent, fascinating movie (with only a bit of language in one scene in the middle, careful for that) about the King of England, George the VI who struggled with stuttering. I found the movie very compelling and was interested to see some of the techniques the vocal coach used with the King to help him speak more freely. The movie was very well done and really showed some of the difficulties of those who struggle with stuttering. But, the movie also reminded me that though stuttering could be a very difficult thing to deal with, there are much worse problems that exist in life as well.
And as always, our good and gracious Father is in control. He has made our sweet Christin and will continue to guard, guide, and protect her. And we'll keep praying for her!
Have a blessed Easter weekend, everyone! We had a great worship service tonight and it's been wonderful to see my children understand more and more of the meaning of Easter. Christ is Risen! Christ is Risen Indeed!
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4 comments:
It is beautiful how you are working with your daughter showing patience and love.
Have you considered having your daughter sing the answer? I would not necessarily put it to a tune as in The King's Speech, but just sing an answer. The whole family could occasionally do this. It is kind of fun and also good for when we want to respond with less than patience :) Singing changes airflow issues. Just an idea.
Rachel,
Singing is an interesting concept. I hadn't thought of it earlier. When I did an internship in college a nursing home, I saw that often Alzhiemers patients would lose the ability to speak and hold a conversation, but if there was a song that they had learned earlier in life, they would be able to sing it. Singing takes place in a different part of the brain than speech. I haven't seen or heard of the movie, but you have piqued my interest now.
Rebecca VE
Thanks carolyn and Rebecca for your comments...yes, singing is a great idea. She doesn't have any trouble there so I will also encourage her to put her thoughts to song as she's trying to speak. With my vocal training I've been interested to what works with her and what is still a struggle, but I will definitely try for more singing!
Thanks carolyn and Rebecca for your comments...yes, singing is a great idea. She doesn't have any trouble there so I will also encourage her to put her thoughts to song as she's trying to speak. With my vocal training I've been interested to what works with her and what is still a struggle, but I will definitely try for more singing!
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