15 months old with no speech
Janelle Handley was born with half of a heart. She spent her first week in RNICU at UAB. She had her first open heart surgery at 8 days old and second at 4 months old. She went through both as well as she could. Recovery after the first was better than the doctors expected. She was sent to the pediatric cardiology floor instead of going back to the RNICU a week after surgery. She went home 5 days later. She spent 5 days in the hospital with her second surgery. Janelle's regular checkups and heart checkups were very promising that she would develop right on target with other healthy heart babies. Janelle crawled at 8 months and walked without holding on at 13 months.
Janelle was not speaking at all at 15 months old. We decided to have an evaluation by the ARC of Jefferson County. She was evaluated at a 29% delay in speech. Sara has been her regular therapist and started to see Janelle 3 times a month. Janelle also started music class at 17 months old. Janelle was not speaking yet but did walk up to a boy and give him a hug as she arrived. Janelle's first words were Mommy and puppy. Daddy did not come first as with a lot of babies but finally came as Gaggy. One of Janelle's first phrases was "Hey girl." Her parents wondered where she heard that phrase. Miss Sara walked in the door for the next therapy session saying, "Hey girl." We knew then how much Miss Sara had become a part of Janelle's life. Then the word Georgia but not the state. After a year of using it for her own name, it was learned that Georgia means Gorgeous. Her mommy called her Gorgeous but did not realize she would think that was her real name. It became a joke with everyone wondering where Georgia came from. It was thought about if she had an imaginary friend at such a young age or if she would go through life as Georgia. The D sound for Daddy finally came around at age 2.5 but Gaggy or Daggy is still used. Janelle said her given name for the first time at 32 months old. We might not understand everything but she has really found her voice. Her mommy was given the compliment on how clear she was speaking by a stranger while shopping. She almost let the tears flow with joy but was able to thank them. Janelle has come so far with speech development thanks to Miss Sara. Janelle is now 32 months old and is a sweet little girl who does not meet a stranger.
2 year old picture
Working with Miss. Sara
Now the talking never stops!!!!
