An Unexpected Connection
I’ve been a content marketing professional for about a decade now, and a creative writer for most of my life. So, of course, I knew of Joe Puluzzi both from his books (Epic Content Marketing was one of the first books my dad gifted to me when I started my career) and Content Marketing Institute. I’ve been receiving Joe’s newsletters for some time, and one that I opened just a few months ago surprised me in the best way.
The issue highlighted an organization called The Orange Effect Foundation. There was a brief description stating that it supports children with speech delays. I suppose I’d assumed that if Joe was involved in a nonprofit, it’d have to do with content, so I clicked through to learn more.
An Ongoing Journey
I read, misty-eyed, through the OEF website. I read their story and the story of the children and families they’d helped. You see, my oldest son has been in speech therapy since he was just under two and, now, four years later, reading through OEF’s story, I reflected on the many ups and downs of his journey.
I thought back to those early days, when both my husband and I realized he was not progressing the way his identical twin brother was. I remembered the tearful conversations with my husband after yet another evaluation of my son and the often thoughtless way his non-diagnoses were read off a sheet like a cheap personality test. I recall being asked what our goals for him were and feeling dwarfed by not knowing what a proper goal would be.
And now, I look at the young, few-days-short-of-being six years old, boy who beckons me to snuggle him to sleep as I write this. And other memories come at the heels of the rest.
I recall the first time he was able to say, “Mama,” at over three years old as he looked into my eyes. I feel the triumph of meeting not every milestone, but of conquering every mountain as he gained more words, more signs, more mobility. I hear the sound of him saying all his cousins’ names for the first time with his AAC tablet just a year ago. I warm at the gratitude I feel for the SLPs, PTs, and OTs who handled my dear boy with care, who aided in his successes.
An Unexpected Opportunity
So, it was clear. I had to get involved with OEF, regardless of what the work would be. Because I believe wholeheartedly every parent should have the opportunity to give their child what they need to succeed and every single child should have an opportunity to have a voice.
I wanted to do whatever I could to contribute. Soon after that first fateful email, I had the pleasure of talking with Joe, exchanging stories about our boys and how messy and beautiful parenting them has been. And then I had a chance to meet Pam and learn more about the amazing events and initiatives OEF’s small but mighty team has created for the community.
I heard back a few months later that I’d been selected to join OEF as a board member. I was, and still am, humbled. I am so grateful to be a part of the incredible, tremendously important work OEF is doing.
