When we first went under lockdown, we lost a lot of things. We lost in human interaction, our favorite restaurants, stores, and things we all took for granted. However, something I didn’t know I would lose in return is some of the progress I’ve made in speech.
Regression during COVID.
Regression in Apraxia is rarely talked about. I believe it is because we have such a short percentage of older people with Verbal Apraxia talking about it. However, I also feel like there can be some shame around it. Speech differences aren’t something we typically talk about. If anything, for most, it will be a new conversation they just heard about.
I wasn’t ready for the regression I would experience during social isolation.
The words I fought so hard for were slowly slipping away from me. The social outlets I once had for me to actively practice my speech closed down. It was sudden, and speech regression was something I never even thought about— but that didn’t make it less real.
So now, I’m actively practicing my speech and incorporating everyday exercises. I’m paying more attention to how my mouth is moving, how loudly I am expressing myself, and just how fluent I am being. If I notice myself not using my strategies, I take notes about what I can improve each day.
With Apraxia, it’s simply complicated.
Apraxia is a battle that suddenly vanishes in childhood. It’s something I’ll have to work with for the rest of my life, but I’m not letting my words get away that easily.