Dear Diary,
I still remember being a toddler and searching for my mom, even in our house. I remember clinging by her side when others would make ignorant comments about my speaking abilities. I remember crying in the bathroom and hugging her as soon as she said, “Jordan, its mom.” Why? Because my mom was the person, I needed as a child.
My mom, while I was in speech therapy rooms, would be battling the school to make sure I was in that room. She would be educating everybody about what exactly Apraxia was. She would pick me up in the car rider line while others in the line would ask me, “What country are you from?” Being unintentionally mean, but my mom’s smile would brighten up my day.
She would pick me up and go to our local deli. She would ask me how my day at school was while I would get my favorite meal. Even though she may have known things might not have gone well that day, she was still there to brighten up my day.
I would carry around her cross necklace made of gold around our house because it reminded me of her. As a child, it brought me peace. I would hide it a dozen times because I would want to come back to it in times of panic and anxiety.
She educated the people around me, so I could soon educate the world. I’m forever grateful for her being my voice until I could be my own.
And now, mom, as you are reading this for the first time, you get to sit back and watch me shine. I learned my advocation from the pro herself, my mom.
Thank you for fighting for me while I was fighting for my voice.
And, thank you for standing by me while I still fight for my voice in multiple ways.
I love you.
Love,
Jordan Christian