We have a unique chance to help kids gain their own communication devices on a much larger scale, as we strive to reach every eligible child that can benefit from our My Voice Program.

Thanks to input from Speech Language Pathologists, we’re also now reaching an incredible number of younger kids (ages 3-5), and we are hearing incredible success stories at an early age.

More than ever before, we have an exciting opportunity with My Voice, and our work is to help kids live life to the fullest – like Lyla.

Last Thursday, Lyla celebrated her 3^rd birthday, and the next day, she received her new communication device! Lyla’s mom, Rebecca explained to us,

“Lyla is 3 and she’s unable to use words or enough signs to communicate her wants, needs or feelings.

This communication device will allow her to tell us what she needs on a daily basis, or how she’s currently feeling – like when she is happy or sad.

With this device, she can share in family activities more and build skills needed to thrive in the home as well as to prepare her for starting pre-school soon.

She has been trialing different communication apps with her speech therapists, and it’s like a whole new world opened up for Lyla. For instance, she could never tell us if she wanted to play – like with cars or a ball, but with the device, she can.

We have already learned so much more about her that we didn’t know and we’re eager to learn more.

Last September, we finalized Lyla’s adoption, and as a family, we want to provide everything we can to help her continue to make progress.

We have had her for a year, but now we see a new spark in her eyes because she is able to communicate more with us. The device will help us build stronger bonds  with Lyla because we will be able to meet her specific needs.

Through the device, we also now know she is learning and picking up on skills that we had no idea she even knew.

As her parents, we simply hope to continue to help her be successful throughout her whole life — to let Lyla be the best Lyla that she can be and this device will help make that possible.”

With a device, Lyla can now communicate with her parents, her sister, and three brothers at home 24/7, as well as anywhere life takes her.

Can you imagine the difference a communication device will make for Lyla and her newly adopted family over the years to come?…

As always, thank you all so much for being a part of the Variety community, where it’s truly ALL ABOUT THE KIDS!

Take good care,

Charlie

P.S. Variety accepts applications all-year-long for adaptive bikes, adaptive strollers, and communication devices, so please help us share the word to your networks (www.varietypittsburgh.org/applynow/).