Two Buddies Finding Their Voices Together

“It is by chance we met, by choice we became friends.” ~Unknown

You never know where you will meet your best friend.  For Jax and Austin, it was preschool and their parents had no clue.   Then, while swimming at the YMCA one day, Jax ran up to a little boy and instantly started playing with him. Puzzled, Jax’s parents asked if he knew the other boy, and he responded, “Yes!” It was at that moment both families discovered they were fighting the same fight. Numerous play dates have since been scheduled and the families remain friends to this day.  Not only is their relationship close, but their journeys both began with the support from the same early intervention program called Help Me Grow.

Jax began speech and physical therapies when he was 18-months-old because he was not meeting several milestones.  He was diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) a year and a half later.  He has since graduated from physical therapy, but continues speech along with occupational and vision therapies.  He has overcome many obstacles, but continues to prove that he is a fighter.  He currently can put together three word sentences, and his family’s favorite phrase is, “I love you!”

Austin began physical therapy when he was about 9-months-old because he was not meeting certain milestones.  Then, when he was 18-months-old, he started speech therapy.  Unfortunately, after two years of speech, Austin was still not making much progress.  His parents found out he was tongue tied and he was diagnosed with CAS.  Since then, his vocabulary has increased and he is eating better after having the tongue tie procedure done.  Now, Austin is repeating more words, trying to put words together, and his confidence is building.  He is amazing!

Although, both children have their own challenges, Jax and Austin have a bond that is unexplainable. They are inseparable. They understand one another and their true personalities come out when they are playing together.  Jax loves swimming, the outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and is a huge fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Cincinnati Reds. Austin loves playing outside, swimming, reading books, Thomas the train, tractors and going places.

One event that Jax and Austin’s families participate in together is the annual Walk for Apraxia®.  As a team, they walk to raise awareness for apraxia and their parents agree, “We walk to support this cause, not only immediately, but for the future. We would love for this funding to go to further research so that we have a better understanding of the cause of apraxia”.

Their commitment to fundraising helped them to become a 2019 Champions Club member.  Jax and Austin’s parents feel that, “Being part of the Champions Club is a huge accomplishment for our families. We are so thankful for the love and support our family, friends and community have shown our two boys. We are surrounded by love and we couldn’t do this without them. Every day we battle this disorder and we are determined to raise awareness! Jax & Austin will continue to stand up and speak out so that their voices are heard!”

“It is by chance we met, by choice we became friends.” ~Unknown

You never know where you will meet your best friend.  For Jax and Austin, it was preschool and their parents had no clue.   Then, while swimming at the YMCA one day, Jax ran up to a little boy and instantly started playing with him. Puzzled, Jax’s parents asked if he knew the other boy, and he responded, “Yes!” It was at that moment both families discovered they were fighting the same fight. Numerous play dates have since been scheduled and the families remain friends to this day.  Not only is their relationship close, but their journeys both began with the support from the same early intervention program called Help Me Grow.

Jax began speech and physical therapies when he was 18-months-old because he was not meeting several milestones.  He was diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) a year and a half later.  He has since graduated from physical therapy, but continues speech along with occupational and vision therapies.  He has overcome many obstacles, but continues to prove that he is a fighter.  He currently can put together three word sentences, and his family’s favorite phrase is, “I love you!”

Austin began physical therapy when he was about 9-months-old because he was not meeting certain milestones.  Then, when he was 18-months-old, he started speech therapy.  Unfortunately, after two years of speech, Austin was still not making much progress.  His parents found out he was tongue tied and he was diagnosed with CAS.  Since then, his vocabulary has increased and he is eating better after having the tongue tie procedure done.  Now, Austin is repeating more words, trying to put words together, and his confidence is building.  He is amazing!

Although, both children have their own challenges, Jax and Austin have a bond that is unexplainable. They are inseparable. They understand one another and their true personalities come out when they are playing together.  Jax loves swimming, the outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and is a huge fan of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Cincinnati Reds. Austin loves playing outside, swimming, reading books, Thomas the train, tractors and going places.

One event that Jax and Austin’s families participate in together is the annual Walk for Apraxia®.  As a team, they walk to raise awareness for apraxia and their parents agree, “We walk to support this cause, not only immediately, but for the future. We would love for this funding to go to further research so that we have a better understanding of the cause of apraxia”.

Their commitment to fundraising helped them to become a 2019 Champions Club member.  Jax and Austin’s parents feel that, “Being part of the Champions Club is a huge accomplishment for our families. We are so thankful for the love and support our family, friends and community have shown our two boys. We are surrounded by love and we couldn’t do this without them. Every day we battle this disorder and we are determined to raise awareness! Jax & Austin will continue to stand up and speak out so that their voices are heard!”



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