Overcoming Adversity: I was, I am
Montāžas Teksta
- The Beginning - Where It All Started
- Standing Out
- The Outlet
- The Doctor Visit
- Diagnosis Time
- Long Road Ahead
- Therapy Session - Speech
- On August 8, 2002, Kaiden James Gaskins was born in Mesa, Arizona to James and Teresa Gaskins. James, who at the time was a Project Manager at Team Communications and Teresa was a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines at the time.
- Therapy Session - Occupational
- Growing up I was very quiet and didn't say my first word until I was almost four years old. While other kids had already said there first words and would ramble, I was completely quiet. During this time it seemed as if my development was delayed a little bit.
- The Progress and Risk
- Since I didn't say my first word until i was three years old and was often very quiet, there was one activity that led me to talking. Backyard golf with Pa Fran! I couldn't say grandpa when I was young, so I called him Pa Fran. Every time he stuck a golf club in my hands I would immediately start talking.
- Speech Competition - The True Test
- This is it! The visit to determine if there was a possible diagnosis for the previous issues and concerns.
- No more
- After a through examination and being put through a multitude of tests, my family and I waiting to hear the results from the doctor.
- Beating All Odds
- After being thoroughly examined and tested, the doctors told my family and I that I have developmental delays and a speech disorder. My future would consist of being placed in special education, meeting with both an occupational and speech therapist, I would never be able to play sports, and that I would likely not make it at a private school.
- Gratitude
- The first speech therapy session! One of many to come, but I need to go to better myself in the hopes that I overcome my speech disorder some day. It was a great first session and I really like my therapist. I ended up keeping the same therapist for about four years.
- Present Day
- The first occupational therapist session! From walking up and down stairs to tying my shoes to holding a pencil. Anything that the average kid could do, I couldn't so that is where occupational therapy comes into play. I was determined to eventually do things the average kid could do.
- Although I was told by therapists and doctors that I would not make it at a private school, my parents and I felt it would be best to transfer to one. A little worried at first, we were hoping it would pay off or that it would work out. It ended up working out and I thrived!
- I have been preparing for a big school-wide poetry competition. In the meantime I have also been meeting with my speech and occupational therapist and have been making big improvements. Intentionally, I chose the toughest poem because I wanted to challenge myself and prove that I can do it. Will I be able to do it?
- I ended up finishing second in the school-wide poetry competition. I recited the whole poem word for word solely off memory. Although we were given the option of reciting with it in front of us, I opted to recite it without. My parents recorded the whole thing and sent the video to my therapist, one thing led to another and I was eventually cleared from therapy and didn't need it anymore.
- After successfully overcoming my speech disorder and developmental delays I went on to play four sports, attend five private schools and all across three states. I was able to achieve everything my therapists and doctors said I couldn't.
- I would like to thank everyone who helped me overcome my speech disorder and developmental delays. Thank you to all of my friends, family, teachers, and therapists for all your love and support. My family beyond my parents are the ones who made it possible for me to attend private school, since my own family couldn't afford it. Thank you for the better opportunity and all the help everyone!
- Currently I am studying at Shoreline Community College with plans of transferring to Whitworth University (WA) this spring. I am a first-generation college student who has already made the President's List with a 4.0 grade point average in the past and I am currently on track to finish with honor's this semester.
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- 4098274 - cottonbro studio - (Licence Free To Use / No Attribution Required / See https://www.pexels.com/license/ for what is not allowed )
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