This is a special post in this month’s In their Own Words series, sharing the words of nonspeakers and unreliable speakers who use Spelling to Communicate (S2C) to communicate. Our guest blogger today is Riley Miller and today is her 15th birthday! Riley’s mom Michèle is local to me, and her spelling journey with Riley has been inspirational to me as my own son progresses using this modality. Please join me in wishing Riley a happy birthday! And help her celebrate by reading and sharing this remarkable young woman’s insightful words, and by giving her a follow on her own blog!
Changing Your Life
I think that a new speller should be ready for a lot of painful thoughts to happen. And be ready for a lot of great things too, like finally being able to talk to your family. Yes, there are two sides to the same coin. But the good outweighs the bad. You think your life is always going to be the way it’s always been, but you can change it if you are able to ask a spelling partner to help you and your family to access your mind, and name your answers with words.
Worthy Of Being Heard
You are a great person and worthy of always being heard! Yes, it will be difficult, but you can do all the difficult things already so why not give this a shot? You will always be happy that you did. Parts of you will be discovered that you never knew were there. And you will be amazed by how many awesome things you can say and always are able to do when you start to spell with someone.
Riley spelling with her mom on her keyboard (Photo Credit: Michèle Muñoz-Miller)
It Gets Easier
When these things start to happen it will be scary at first, but it always gets easier. The best thing about spelling is being able to abandon all the awful ways you used to spend your day before you could tell someone you didn’t want to do those things anymore. There are so many cool things you will get to experience.
So get ready my friends, because spelling is about to rock your world in the best way you can imagine!
Riley Miller is a 15-year-old speller who just started her own blog about spelling life, “The Riley Report: A Life Painted By Everyday Artists.” Check it out at www.RileyGraceMiller.com.
My autism journey has changed the way I live and care for my family. I am passionate about nontoxic products, natural remedies, grain-free nutrition, essential oils, and healing the symptoms known as autism. This is a space for anyone aspiring toward cleaner, healthier living.
XO Joanna
