Governor Gretchen Whitmer is a lifelong Michigander. She is a lawyer, an educator, former prosecutor, State Representative and Senator. She was the first woman to lead a Senate caucus. But the most important title she boasts is MOM. Inspired by her family, she’s devoted her life to building a stronger Michigan for everyone.
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May 14, 2019
WHEREAS, May 14th marks the fifth annual Childhood Apraxia of Speech Day during which awareness will be raised throughout Michigan about Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), an extremely challenging speech disorder in children; and,
WHEREAS, CAS causes children to have significant difficulty in learning to speak and is among the most severe speech deficits in children; and,
WHEREAS, the act of learning to speak comes effortlessly to most children, but those with apraxia endure an incredible and lengthy struggle; and,
WHEREAS, without appropriate speech therapy intervention, children with apraxia are placed at high risk for secondary impacts in reading, writing, spelling, and other educational skills; and,
WHEREAS, such primary and secondary impacts diminish future independence and employment opportunities if not resolved or improved; and,
WHEREAS, most children with apraxia of speech will learn to communicate with their own voices if they receive early intervention and appropriate, intensive, and frequent speech therapy; and,
WHEREAS, it is imperative that there be greater public awareness about childhood apraxia of speech among community members, physicians, education professionals, policy makers, elected officials and throughout all of Michigan; and,
WHEREAS, funders such as insurance providers, schools, and policy makers are encouraged to recognize the critical need to provide adequate speech therapy and other services to minimize the impact of this disorder, so that thousands of affected children can grow into productive, contributing adult citizens; and,
WHEREAS, our highest respect goes to these children, as well as their families, for their effort, determination, and resilience in the face of such obstacles;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 14, 2019, as Childhood Apraxia of Speech Awareness Day, and encourage citizens of Michigan to work within their communities to increase awareness and understanding of Childhood Apraxia of Speech.