2008 MANY STORIES ONE VOICE ONLINE COLLECTION

Rebecca Barbush, Age 26, United States

Click HERE to download the story in Microsoft Word format.  

 

I have been writing since high school. In college, i majored in English and journalism. I enjoy spreading the word about AAC and advocating for disability rights.

 

Playtime is for Everyone

Both Zack and Jeremy stayed home from school today.  They went to different schools, formed a different circle of friends. They had different likes and dislikes: their favorite foods toys and games.  The two boys, who had never met, find out they have a lot more in common than they think and they share viewpoints allowing them understand each other better.

Zack’s mother put the thermometer in his ear, while Jeremy’s mother placed it under his tongue. Their mothers shook their heads after reading the results. “Looks like you’re going to the doctors, they said to their sons. Zach got dressed by himself, while Jeremy’s mom helped. Jeremy, who prefers being independent, uses sign language to tell his mom that he can do it by himself.  She says “I know you can, but we’re in a hurry to get to the doctors so you can feel better faster.” She puts his leg braces on and helps him into his wheelchair. Then she hooks what looks to be a computer onto his chair.

Zack’s father works from his office-at-home, so he drops Zach and his mother at the doctor’s office.  Jeremy and his mother take the bus.  They get there at the same time and recognize each other from school, but they just wave.  The waiting room was yellow and bright. There were lots of windows to let the sunlight in.

            The receptionist gave their mothers paperwork to fill out while they waited for the doctor to see them.  Zack sat in a chair, looking around at other adults flipping through magazines.  He too grabbed a magazine and started flipping through it. Zack went straight for the table with beads on the curly cue wires. There were several other kids at the table.  At first they were surprised that a boy in a wheelchair wanted to play with them.  They looked at their parent to see if it was okay. The parents urged their children to keep playing with all the kids.

            Except Zach, who was looking at his magazine.  He was only pretending to look at it; he was really gazing at the scene before him.

            It only took Jeremy a few minutes to pick out the words he wanted to say and let his computer speaks it for him.

            “Hi, my name is Jeremy.  I’m in the third grade. I have a hard time speaking so I have this communication device to speak for me.” Jeremy said as he waved his hands enthusiastically. The other kids joined in. They understood Jeremy through his gestures, like when he had to use his computer to speak for him.  The kids were so interested in their game they forgot they were sick.

Zach wanted to join in, but being eleven years old, his mind filled with questions.  He had never been around someone who couldn’t speak: how should I act? Could I touch him?  What if something happens?  What if I can’t understand him?  Zack walked over to the coffee table to pick out a new magazine. 

Jeremy smiled at Zach and motioned him over with his hand.  He typed something into his computer.  “Do you want to play?”  His computer spoke for him in a kid’s voice.

Zach walked up to Jeremy looking puzzled.

“This is a communication device,” Jeremy’s computer spoke.   Jeremy had typed in a standard explanation that remained in his computer ready to explain why he needed to use a computer instead of his voice. He used it when he met new people.

“My muscles are weak.  That includes the muscles I use to speak.  So I have to introduce myself and share my ideas in different ways. I use my fingers, gestures, and an alphabet board to tell people when I want something.

“That must be really hard,” Zach said.

“Mostly family members understand me better.  They’re used to my AAC device.”

“What’s AAC,” Zach asked him.

“AAC is a name for anything I use to communicate. Technology is growing. Cell phones, Blackberries and computers are an example of this.   AAC, augmentative alternative communication, is also growing rapidly.  I can program a message ahead of time and use it whenever I need it.  I can point to words or pictures of things I want to say.” 

Zach wondered what was wrong with Jeremy.  “How come you’re here? Zack asked.

“I have a fever.”  Jeremy’s computer answered after he typed in his response.

“Me too,” Zach laughed.

Jeremy and Zach began to play with the other kids at the table.  Zach realized they didn’t need language to communicate.   After all, playtime is fun and easy for every kid.   After a while, they forgot they were sick.