Benefit to help five-year-old speak
By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
WASHBURN — Destiny Theriault is a 5-year-old girl who suffers from apraxia — a chronic disease she was born with that prevents her from being able to speak.
Contributed photo
Five-year-old Destiny Theriault knows sign language, but needs a computerized communication device to vocalize her thoughts for her.
While the resilient youth has worked hard to learn sign language she’s been able to verbally communicate to members of the non-signing world for over a year by utilizing a computerized communication device on loan from the Child Development Services; the device vocalizes the words and phrases selected by the 5-year-old, but Destiny will have to part with the device this August as it needs to be returned to the department of CDS.
Her family and friends are currently fund-raising in hopes of purchasing a similar device to help Destiny “keep her voice.”
A benefit will be held on Saturday, April 9. Admission to the benefit is $5 for adults and $3 for kids for a full evening out, which includes the cost of dinner and dancing (children under 3 are welcome at no cost) and an opportunity to bid on silent auction items.
The benefit event will be held at the Washburn Trail Runner’s Club, dinner is served from 5 to 7 p.m. and the dancing begins at 7:30 until 10 p.m.
Those interested in helping Destiny can also donate their recyclables to Destiny’s Voice at the Washburn Redemption Center located at 1296 Main Street in Washburn.
FMI, contact Vicky or Galen Theriault at 455-8005 (after 6 p.m.).
