Say "Ahhhhhh"

Wednesday was a great day for Will and for all who have been praying for him. He got up, ate breakfast, showered, shaved for the first time, put in his contacs, skunked his mom at several games of "Fish," and waited for his speech therapist to come.

When she came, she asked him to say "Ahhhhhhhhh." She was looking in his mouth while he did this and was totally blown away. The muscles of his soft pallet were lifting! Hallelujah!!! That nasal tonality in his speech was no longer his only option. He could actually speak through his mouth like an Englishman rather than through his nose like a Frenchie. He was then asked to read an article from the Salt Lake Tribune about the war in Iraq. He broke it up into small segments and read each one until he could do it clearly and distinctly. The result was very intelligible speech.

His homework was to continue saying "Ahhhh," in front of the mirror so he could make sure his soft pallet was getting a good work-out and practicing his elocution strategies in every day conversation.