A Champion Speaks: My Son’s Journey to 10 Years and Thriving Beyond the Label

Your responsibility as a parent begins when your child is handed over to you after birth. The challenges that come with parenting a child are rarely discussed. We tend to focus on the joys of parenthood, but beneath the surface lies a world of unspoken struggles, fears, and doubts that parents often face alone. Every child brings their own unique needs, and every parent feels the weight of the responsibility to support them through it all.

As a parent, you anticipate each developmental milestone, expecting them to come naturally. You rarely consider the possibility of delays, especially in something as fundamental as speech. The journey to finding a solution to your child’s developmental delays can feel lonely and lead to unexpected discoveries. In a race against time, questions arise that you don’t easily find answers to, as well as dealing with intense emotions while trying to make sense of a reality you are unprepared for.

A few months before my son’s birthday, I found myself reflecting on his journey so far. Every child has the potential to thrive with the right support from their parents and carers. This book seeks to inspire parents and carers by presenting detailed accounts of my experience raising my son, including some of the lessons learnt. The path to hearing my son speak was not straightforward but was one filled with unexpected challenges, countless tears, and a mix of guilt and self-blame, wondering if perhaps I had done something wrong. Over time, I learned to turn those tears into resilience. Today, I can proudly say, “A champion speaks.”