Kate Hennessy

Anything But Silent Kate Hennessy

What would you go through as a parent to give your child the power of speech? Parents dream their children will achieve many great things, but most parents do not dream their children will struggle for years just to speak what is in their hearts and minds. Kathy Hennessy faced this challenge with not one but both of her children when they were diagnosed with childhood apraxia of speech. What does a child feel like when no one in the world understands what she is trying to say? Imagine the frustration when even your mom doesn t get it. Young Kate Hennessy understands all too well those feelings of exasperation and defeat. In this forthright and emotional story, Kathy tells of the mountains they climbed just for her children to have a chance at speech. Hennessy tells of the battles she waged with insurance companies, pediatricians, school systems, and family, while Kate shares her own experiences and those of her brother with bullies, friends, and following their dreams. Heart-breaking and heart-warming, the Hennessys tell of the intense commitment to therapy, the magic of Santa Claus, and the sadness of teaching children to defend themselves. Daughter Kate tells of the determination of her brother and herself not to be consumed or broken by their disability; Kathy shares her creative solutions to their early speech limitations and her pride in seeing them as young adults speak in public at national conferences on childhood apraxia of speech. Not only had they conquered their own challenges, they were leading the way for other children like them.