Help Them

Recently several friends of my parents came to see me spell here at M2H. They have children about my age, so around thirty. These friends totally ignored my ability to talk to them. They likened this to ProLoQuoToGo, which was ridiculous. I will absolutely set the record straight for those unfamiliar with spelling and/or the app, ProLoQuotoGo. 

ProLoQuo is an app that can be configured with picture icons that, when pressed, can say things like, “I need the bathroom” or “give me water please.” It’s mostly used to ask for simple things. People love to force us to use it, even though most of us hate it. Many of us OCD on it, and hit the same buttons over and over. I’m at my wit’s end:  how can anyone think that’s in any way comparable to me spelling out my thoughts and desires? 

Spelling allows me to converse like speakers do. Spelling allows me to write in normal language. Spelling allows me to engage in the world like anyone else. Spelling allows me to show people who I actually am. Spelling allows me to actually learn because I can show people what I know. Spelling allows me to create poetry, or this blog, as I express myself fully. 

To compare an app that only tells what I want, if that (and that’s assuming it’s programmed in), to spelling, is particularly obtuse. That is the response of someone who is not interested in changing the status quo. They have their children in traditional daycare, and really don’t want to be bothered to jump into anything new. 

That conversation was incredibly upsetting to me because I know their children, and I know they could learn to do this. Instead, they will all die without anyone ever knowing them. Definitely, that makes my heart ache. 

Listen to me, all you parents who are unwilling to try this: your child is being tortured, and is alone and terrified. They know that no one will ever know them, and are lonely to the point of agony.