Leaving a Lasting Legacy

Abstract

Kat Fulcher, a speech-language pathologist uses AAC devices to give non-verbal people the ability to communicate and leave their legacies. (Disclaimer: The names besides Fulcher, Neth, and Higginbotham have been changed to protect client-doctor confidentiality). A strong vocal vowel inflexion " aaah " from a four-year-old, a shape-sorter, and an inspiring babysitter set Katrina Fulcher's future. She was 16 years old and her parents were worried that her passion for acting would not lead to a stable career. They suggested Fulcher spend the day with her former babysitter, Shawna Slater, who worked as a speech-language pathologist. Fulcher didn't know what speech-language pathology was at the time, but she decided to shadow Slater, especially since she didn't find her niche after shadowing lawyers, doctors, and stock brokers. The epiphany happened when she watched Slater and 4-year-old Jenny Miller sit on the floor during a speech therapy session. Jenny had never spoken a sound in her life. Suddenly, when she and Slater were playing with a shape-sorter, she looked at Slater and handed her a block. She let out an " aaah " sound with a rising intonation, as if she was asking Slater to continue to play. The whole room stopped. The girl's mother started to cry. Her daughter had a voice. Slater kept eye contact with Jenny and coaxed more sounds out of her.