Support Eliza's Journey to Find Her Voice

Meet Eliza. She’s 4.5 years old and has a neurological speech disorder called apraxia of speech. Her brain doesn’t have the ability to plan sequences of movements to create the movements to make correct sounds. Children with apraxia need specialized therapy and assistive technology to learn to speak. Here in Alabama, our options are so very limited on extra help, which is crucial. At the age of 18 months old, Eliza started speech through early intervention, and at the age of two, she started her private therapy. We got her official diagnosis in August 2024 after a while of suspecting apraxia. She had to be able to mimic and attempt testing, and it wasn’t until 4 years old when she was able. Eliza is currently in speech therapy 3 sessions a week along with a session of occupational therapy. She has been maturing a lot over the last few weeks, but she’s still at a level of an 18-month-old speech-wise. She recently had a psychological evaluation that showed the numbers of a global developmental delay, but her doc didn’t find that diagnosis suitable as of now. That is to say, she is delayed, but he feels that it’s hard to pinpoint where exactly her deficits are while experiencing such a severe speech disorder. She just got an AAC in January, and we’re still working hard, but she tries so hard to be verbal. Eliza has so much she wants to say, and she just needs help teaching herself how to make these sounds. In August, during an evaluation, she was noted at 5% intelligible. This is where we need help. We found a speech camp in Houston, Texas, that hosts a 5-day camp for kids just like her. It includes hours of therapy from an apraxia specialist. The camp is only for two weeks and only 6 kids per week. (We would only be going the one week). I was able to snag her a spot and have her preregistered. The only way we can go is with help though. Traveling as a family of 6 isn’t cheap. I homeschool and don’t have anyone to leave my 3 other kiddos with, so it will be a family affair. The camp alone is $1,200. I have looked into renting a vehicle (my van already has high miles, and it’s a 12-hour drive without stopping), and it seems that flying may be the better option. Both options are looking to be approx $600. Flying would have the added cost of approx $600 vehicle rental once we arrive at the airport. Hotel is looking at $1,500 for a week. Airbnb may save $400-ish. So we’re looking at probably more than $4,000 total. My husband will be using vacation time to go on this trip with us. We don’t have a savings, and the week he uses vacation on will be more than half of his normal pay. It feels crazy to be asking for so much, and I know everyone has their own struggles, but I have to at least try for my girl. We have prayed, and if it’s in His will for this to happen, we will be going in June. If not, that’s okay; we will try again next year. It seems impossible, but before deeming it not possible, we’re asking for help from friends or family. Prayers are welcome as we try to make this happen for our girl.

We thank you and appreciate any financial help and, most importantly, the prayers.

******* If we do not hit near our goal, the trip will not be possible, but if everyone is okay with it, I can keep the fundraiser going and try to make it to next year’s camp. Either way, I don’t want anyone to think this money will go anywhere but helping Eliza learn the important techniques to progress her speech.

I’m open to answering any questions. I’m an open book and love to spread awareness!

https://northstarpediatricspeechtherapy.com/speech-camp/