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Today I found out that Secretary Kennedy actually read my letter to him. I am so pumped I can’t sit still. That is the most thrilling thing ever, ever, ever to happen to me! I am beside myself about it. To know that someone as important his him read my words, well…I could cry. To think that a few years ago I was locked inside this body, and now my words were read by a cabinet member…! I am totally emotional now. ___________________ Dear Secretary Kennedy: My name is Edison and I am only 17 years old, but I want my voice to be heard too. I am writing to ask you to please try to help us. To be nonspeaking is to live in a kind of loneliness and isolation. I am incredibly fortunate in that when I was only 13 years old I learned to spell to communicate. But it is a limited form of communication, so most of my life I am still locked in silence. Most nonspeakers in the world don’t even have this, and my heart breaks for them daily. We all want to have the ability to speak and learn and contribute to our communities and country. But we cannot because no one has cared enough about us to help us. All of us are intelligent and anxious to be educated, and wish we could have jobs and live independently. Instead, we all face a lifetime of dependency. I believe that the world is changing and that someday kindness will win. My life improved immeasurably when my Mom took me, years ago, to see my teacher, Judy, who taught me to spell to talk, and now teaches me for the love of learning. Here at Mouth to Hand Learning Center, we are allowed to be human. We are educated, and have friends and fun. And not one of us ever forgets those of us who are still trapped. We are very excited that you shone a spotlight on us, and told the world that we exist and are suffering. We need help desperately; for a long time we’ve been overshadowed by the speaking autism community. All of us are hoping and praying that you find answers as to what happened to us and ways we can be helped. Maybe one day I will be able to thank you with my voice. Gratefully, Edison 
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4/16/2025 4 Comments HopeI am not entirely sure why I feel like the tide is turning for us spellers, but I do. Judy just showed me a video of a nonspeaking man thinking to a device on his head that spoke for him. I know it’s not available except in studies, because the FDA hasn’t yet approved it. I am totally pumped though ‘cause it showed the man thinking a conversation with his wife about dinner. It was astounding. Between that, and the growing recognition that there is an epidemic of autism, and the fact that spelling continues to grow in popularity (in spite of ASHA), I am feeling wonderful. I truly believe that things will get way better for us over the next couple of years.  Having so many wonderful things happening makes being nonspeaking feel a little more bearable. Alex’s bar mitzvah was momentous, and then two weeks later, the gala. Then there is the conference in June, and then the whole fun summer coming up. I am sure there will be more fun and exciting things happening too. There is the Mount Kisco Community Day event on May 31st: I am excited to sell our books and magazines there. And Judy is always coming up with new and fun things. All this to say that while being nonspeaking sucks, it sucks just a little less than it used to. And I find myself smiling most of the time now.  |
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February 2026
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MOUTH TO HAND LEARNING CENTER, INC.
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