Podcast: Amplifying Nonspeaking Voices

My name is Anthony Piccolino, and I am 22 years old. I began spelling when I was about 18 and still in school. I am going to tell you a story that illustrates one of the reasons why spelling is so critically important.  

I was abused by neurotypical students, who were taking photos of me and other disabled students peeing in the bathroom. They were posting the photos online. I couldn’t tell anyone, of course…and they were only doing it to those of us who couldn’t talk.  It was unbelievably traumatizing to me and to my family. 

Now I can talk.  Now I can tell people if something is wrong. 

And more than that:  spelling has opened up my world in ways I couldn’t even have imagined. I am learning and having fun. I have friends. I’ve gotten to do things I love because I am able to tell my Mom what I’m interested in. Because I am interested in ancient Greece, we went there, and I got to see the Parthanon. Because I am in love with the super hot pianist, Yuja Wang, my Mom is taking me to see her.

So what do I say to those who would deny me this method of communication? My life was hell before I could talk. I was reduced to having photos of my private parts put up on Facebook. Now I wake up every day smiling, excited to see what the day will bring. My life won’t be wasted with me whiling away the years in daycare, waiting to die. 

All of us want to contribute to this world; all of us want our lives to have some meaning. Now we can.