A Day That Should Go Down in History

One of the issues we've had with Beth is her lack of speech. She can talk, she just chooses not to. I expect it's because she knows people have a hard time understanding her. She's gotten better over the years but she still chooses when and where she'll talk.

We had her annual assessment last week and she barely spoke. Trevor asked so many questions about her health and her job and her boyfriend. She hardly said a word.

I got off work on Monday and took her to the doctor. The doctor asked her about Special Olympics and Nick and exercising and music. She looked at her knees for most of the appointment and maybe said 10 words the entire time.

Then we went to the grocery store. As soon as we got out of the car:

"I'm glad I have my hat! It's windy!"
"Imma have some hot tea when we get home."
"Imma take my own cart."
"I don't want apples. Dad like that kind."
"I have licorice and chocolate." (I made her put the chocolate back.)
"I'm not getting cookies. No way!"
"I don't know if I wanna get this. Maybe I wait."
And on and on and on.

I try to respond every time she says something but after more than an hour, I was drained! I will admit I have to look at her so I can read her lips and it makes having a conversation - while you're doing something else - so difficult.

We got to the register and she said she wanted me to go first. As I'm unloading my stuff, she's still talking and since I have to look at her I unload one thing then have to look at her and ask her to repeat what she just said. Unload a little, then ask her to repeat. Unload and ask. Again and again.

Oh my goodness, I was this close to telling her to stop talking! Beth, just... stop! Enough for a while! I didn't of course, but man, I never thought I'd see the day.