We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jocelyn Stargell-Zachery. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jocelyn below.
Jocelyn, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
I came up with the idea to write a children’s book about Childhood Apraxia of Speech because God gave me the idea to turn my pain into purpose. Childhood Apraxia of Speech is a rare neurological speech disorder that affects 1 out of 1,000 children. Becoming a new mom is a journey in itself but one of the things that many don’t tell you about motherhood is the fact that your child could have a disorder or learning delay. Or that you might not hear your child’s first words until they are 3 years old. For me, I heard my son say, “I love you mommy” for the first time when he was 3.5 years old.
As a new mom, all I wanted for my baby boy was to be healthy and he was. Fast forward to his second birthday and he barely had three intelligible words that could be understood by his father and me. At this time, I asked his pediatrician for a development evaluation and the conclusion was that because he was meeting all his other milestones he would eventually catch up because “all boys talk late”. Even though something in my gut told me to press more I listened to his pediatrician. As we got closer to his third birthday, I noticed his speech did not get better and he started having tantrums with meltdowns that were a direct result of frustration because he was not able to communicate. I again went to the pediatrician but this time after my own research I asked specifically for a psychological evaluation referral and speech therapy evaluation in hopes to get him in early intervention. After about a rollercoaster-year process of getting him evaluated, getting the correct diagnosis, and getting him into speech and occupational therapy, I started sharing my journey on my mom’s blog. It was so healing to
help other parents and children that look like me and my son. I then realized that many other moms were going through the same thing and were like me and figuring it out as we went.
On this journey of helping my son to develop more speech, we read a lot of books. I noticed that as I tried to find books that he related to his speech disorder I did not find any books that had a boy that looked like him overcoming Apraxia on the front cover. Representation is so important for children. With God on our side, I and Tristan created it. At this time, we were in the middle of a pandemic and we had a lot of time being in the house. Therefore, we got to dive into the project. After writing the story out, Tristan helped pick the illustrations and of course, he was the final proofreader since he is the main character of the book. Completing this project was not only healing for both of us but it gave me the opportunity to become his advocate. The book, Tristan Finds His… Voice is for every parent navigating the CAS storm. Representation matters and the fact that he picks the book up every time he sees it and says “that’s me, mommy, I’m overcoming Apraxia” makes me emotional. As parents, we are our children’s best advocates until they are able to speak for themselves.
I knew this was a project worthwhile because God gave it to me, it directly affected my son and encouraged parents of other kids that look like him to get a diagnosis as early as they can so that their children can be provided early intervention to aid in learning to communicate. Communication can look different for each child, it can be sign language, through a device, or verbal speech the important element is that each child CAN COMMUNICATE. I get so excited about this idea because I was once a new mom who had no manual to this disorder, I just knew I wasn’t giving up on my son and now with my platform Millennial Momme my goal is to empower other parents to advocate for their children to get them the services they need.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Jocelyn Stargell-Zachery, is a U.S based mother, advocate, apraxia walk coordinator, and author. “Tristan Finds His… Voice” was written based on the true story of the author’s son, who was diagnosed with apraxia of speech (CAS). The book’s sole purpose is to raise awareness about neurological speech disorders and give hope to parents/caregivers and children struggling with this disorder. According to apraxiakids.org, CAS affects 1 out of 1,000 children and the only known treatment at this time is speech therapy.
She loves this genre because it allows her to be as creative as she wants to be while also teaching children (and adults) about learning differences. She has a B. A in Mass Communications and has worked in digital marketing for 4+ years. Writing has been a passion of hers since she was a little girl. Her hobbies include painting and being a self-proclaimed vegan foodie. She loves going around the city and trying new restaurants with her son. She paints mostly for fun with her son on the weekends. This book is a series and the next book is planned to be released in the fall of 2023. So far this book has had a lot of positive reviews and she is glad that she is able to share this story of overcoming obstacles one day at a time with the world in hopes to inspire them to do the same.
She also shares tips and advice on her Instagram (@millennialmomme_) weekly where she empowers other parents to advocate for their children. She also has a quarterly newsletter that you can sign up for on her blog to stay in the know on new books, posts, and updates.
Visit millennialmomme.net to check out her blog and sign up for the newsletter!
I am most proud of coordinating the first Atlanta Walk for Apraxia post-COVID-19. We had over 100+ registrants, we honored 11 Apraxia stars in our community, and we raised over $7,905.00 to aid in research, and provide resources to families that are affected by CAS. Seeing the smiles on all the Star’s faces was such a full circle moment, I went from being alone, confused, and feeling guilty. To find a community of parents and professionals, who” get it”. I am also proud to be hosting a Parent Empowerment workshop at the National Apraxia Kids Conference in Plano, Texas this year. Although we have come so far, this journey is one day at a time and I am thankful that God blessed me to do it.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
There are many lessons that I have had to unlearn but I think the one that sticks out the most is that “Words won’t hurt you.”
As a kid, I use to get made fun of for being too tall, too thin, having a gap, and really just about anything that made me unique. Although my mom meant well by telling me that, “They’re jealous”, or that “Sticks and stones may hurt my bones, but words will never hurt me”. The truth of the matter is that words do hurt and being teased affected my self-esteem greatly. It’s one of the main reasons I am so intentional with the words that are spoken over my son.
At the beginning of the journey to his diagnosis, I received a lot of criticism from “friends” and “family”. It had triggered the little girl in me who yearned for approval. I would sometimes replay the things they would say in my head. But during the pandemic, when everything stopped it had finally clicked. I started therapy. In therapy, I had to acknowledge that people’s words did in fact hurt me. I’ve had to unlearn as an adult that words don’t hurt. Words do matter and they are powerful. As an adult, I also know now how words can mend what is broken.
I have gratitude for this realization and journey because it has prepared me to be the best mom and nurturer to my son.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The journey to motherhood is resilience in itself. Overcoming being a single parent has shown me that we have to give ourselves grace. My son had no intelligible words when he was 3 after 2 years of intensive therapy, at-home practice, and prayer my son is now in a general education setting with accommodations. He not only can speak in complete sentences but he also advocates for himself.
Hearing his teacher rave about his growth is a true testament to God’s mercy and grace and we are forever thankful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.millennialmomme.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/millennialmomme_/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelyn-s-70211a92/
- Other: Link to purchase the book on amazon- https://www.amazon.com/Tristan-Finds-Jocelyn-Stargell-Zachery/dp/B09CRXYQ4V Linke to purchase a signed copy- https://www.millennialmomme.net/product-page/tristan-finds-his-voice-1
Image Credits
@urbaneperception